Citizens of the United Kingdom holding a valid British passport. Each traveller, including children, needs their own ETA.
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Saudi Electronic Travel Authorization
Saudi Arabia Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for British Citizens
The ETA is the new online entry permit for UK passport holders visiting Saudi Arabia. It’s valid for two years, allows multiple entries, and lets you stay up to 180 days within a year — for tourism, business, study or medical treatment. No sponsor, no embassy appointment, and most applications approved within 2 to 4 hours of payment. We prepare and submit your application for you.
- 2-Year Multiple-Entry · Up to 180 Days a Year
- Usually Approved Within 2–4 Hours
- No Sponsor or Invitation Letter Needed
- £40 Per Applicant (Gov Fee Included)
Overview
What Is the Saudi ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authorization is issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the KSA Visa platform. British citizens are eligible to apply, and it has replaced the older single-entry Electronic Waiver Visa, which is no longer issued.
Once approved, the ETA is linked to your passport. It allows multiple visits to Saudi Arabia over two years, with stays of up to 180 days within a year. Every traveller needs their own ETA — including children — and the application is made online before travel. The ETA cannot be issued on arrival and cannot be extended once in the Kingdom.
Who can use it and what for
Eligibility: holders of a valid British passport.
Permitted activities:
- Tourism & leisure — Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, the Red Sea coast and beyond
- Business — meetings, conferences and short business trips
- Study — short courses within the validity of the ETA
- Medical treatment
- Visiting the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah (Muslim visitors)
- Umrah — outside the Hajj season, after obtaining the required Nusuk permit
Not permitted: employment of any kind, and Hajj. For work you need a Work Visa and Iqama; for Hajj you need a Hajj visa. If you hold a non-British passport, please see our Saudi Tourism Visit Visa or another Saudi visa category appropriate to your nationality.
Key Facts
2-Year Multiple Entry — Up to 180 Days a Year
The ETA is built for repeat travel. One application covers all your trips to Saudi Arabia for the next two years.
Validity
Valid for 730 days (2 years) from the date of issue, linked to your passport.
Entries & Stay
Multiple entries, with stays of up to 180 days within a year, in one visit or across several. Not extendable once in the Kingdom.
Processing
Most applications are approved within 2–4 hours of payment; the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs allows up to 1–3 working days. Must be approved before travel — not issued on arrival.
Sponsor & Applicants
No sponsor or invitation letter. One application per person, including children.
| Feature | Saudi ETA |
|---|---|
| Validity | 730 days (2 years) from issue |
| Entries | Multiple |
| Maximum stay | Up to 180 days within a year (one visit or several) |
| Processing time | Usually 2–4 hours (up to 1–3 working days) |
| Government fee | £20, non-refundable |
| Sponsor required | No |
| Issued on arrival | No — apply before travel |
| Extendable | No |
| Applications | One per person, including children |
The 180-day stay: what the official announcement says The official announcement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (25 June 2026) says British citizens can "stay for up to 180 days, either consecutively or across multiple visits within one year". In practice, that means a total of up to 180 days in Saudi Arabia within a year, used in one trip or spread across several. If you plan a long stay or frequent trips, keep track of your days, and contact us if you are unsure.
Required Documents
Saudi ETA Requirements
Two things only — no invitation letter, no hotel booking, no flight booking, no biometrics.
Valid British Passport
Valid for at least 6 months from your date of travel. Send us a clear, full-colour scan of the photo page.
Applicant
Recent Passport-Style Photo
Plain background, full face, no headwear except for religious reasons.
Applicant
That's it. We check your passport validity and photo against the Saudi specifications before submission, so nothing is refused for a small error.
Our Process
How We Handle Your ETA Application
From your documents to an approved ETA in your inbox — most are approved within 2 to 4 hours of payment.
Send Us Your Documents
Passport scan and photo through our secure form, or by email. We confirm receipt and check your eligibility straight away.
We Check Them
Passport validity, photo standards and your details against Saudi requirements, so nothing is rejected for a small error.
We Submit the ETA Application
We complete and submit your application on the KSA Visa platform on your behalf, and pay the government fee as part of our service.
You Receive Your ETA by Email
Most ETAs are approved within 2 to 4 hours of payment, and within 1 to 3 working days at most. Save it to your phone or print it — you're ready to travel. Track your application at any time with the application number we send you.
Service & Pricing
Saudi ETA Fees
Our fee is fixed, transparent and all-inclusive: £40 per applicant, covering the £20 Saudi government fee and £20 for our service. No hidden extras, no separate charges at submission.
| Item | Description / Notes | Fee (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Government Fee | Paid to the Saudi authorities on the KSA Visa platform. Non-refundable if the application is refused. | £20 |
| Continental Visa Service Fee | Document review, online application on your behalf, submission and delivery of your ETA by email | £20 |
| Total Per Applicant | All-inclusive — nothing more to pay | £40 |
What's Included in Our £40 Service
- Eligibility check (British passport verification)
- Passport scan review & validity check
- Photo review against Saudi specifications
- Online application on the KSA Visa platform
- Saudi government fee paid on your behalf
- Delivery of your ETA to your email inbox
- Application number for status tracking
- WhatsApp support throughout the process
Please note: the government fee is non-refundable if an application is refused. If your application is not approved, you can reapply through the Saudi mission in the UK. The Saudi authorities do not give a reason for refusal, but we check your application for the common causes before you reapply.
Why Continental Visa
Why Choose Continental Visa
The ETA is simple, but small mistakes — an out-of-spec photo, a passport with too little validity, a mistyped name — still cause refusals, and the government fee isn’t refunded. Our team catches these before submission.
Fast Turnaround
We submit your ETA application the same day we receive your documents — most are approved within 2 to 4 hours of payment.
British Passport Specialists
We process Saudi applications for UK travellers every week and know exactly what the authorities accept and reject.
Pre-Submission Review
We catch document issues — bad photo specs, insufficient passport validity, name mismatches — before they cost you a fee.
Personalised Guidance
One dedicated case handler stays in touch by phone, email or WhatsApp throughout the process.
Nationwide Reach
Fully digital application — apply from anywhere in the UK, no need to be in London.
ICO Registered
UK-registered consultancy (ICO: ZC091062) with full GDPR compliance for your sensitive personal documents.
Common Questions
Saudi ETA — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about the Saudi Electronic Travel Authorization for British passport holders. For specific questions about your case, please contact us directly.
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Who is eligible for the Saudi ETA?
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How long is the ETA valid and how long can I stay?
It's valid for two years (730 days) from issue and allows multiple entries, with stays of up to 180 days within a year, in one visit or across several. The Saudi authorities have not clearly stated whether the 180 days applies to each visit, each year or the full two-year validity — if you plan a long stay, check with us before you travel.
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How long does it take?
Most ETA applications are approved within 2 to 4 hours of payment. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs allows up to 1 to 3 working days, so we recommend applying at least a few days before travel. We submit yours the same day we receive your documents.
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How much does the Saudi ETA cost?
£40 per applicant, all-inclusive: £20 Saudi government fee plus £20 for our service. The government fee is non-refundable if an application is refused.
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Do I need a sponsor or invitation letter?
No. The ETA needs no sponsor, no invitation and no hotel or flight booking.
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Can I get the ETA on arrival in Saudi Arabia?
No. It must be approved before you travel.
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Can I extend the ETA?
No. If you need to stay longer than 180 days within a year, or beyond the two-year validity, a new application or a different visa category is required.
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Can I visit Makkah and Madinah?
Yes — Muslim visitors can visit the Holy Cities on the ETA.
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Can I perform Umrah on the ETA?
Yes, outside the Hajj season, after obtaining the necessary permit through the Nusuk platform if required. The ETA cannot be used for Hajj — see our Umrah visa services for other options.
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Can I work in Saudi Arabia on the ETA?
No. The ETA does not permit any form of employment. See our Work Visa and Iqama service.
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Can I travel between cities within Saudi Arabia?
Yes, you can travel freely between cities during your visit.
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Do I need to carry cash?
No. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted across Saudi Arabia.
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What happens if my application is refused?
You'll be notified by email. The government fee isn't refunded, but you can reapply at any time through the Saudi missions in the UK. The Saudi authorities do not give a reason for refusal, but we check your application for the common causes — photo, passport validity, name mismatch — before you reapply.
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What's the difference between the ETA and the Electronic Waiver Visa?
The Electronic Waiver Visa was a 90-day single-entry permit and is no longer issued. It has been replaced by the ETA — a two-year multiple-entry authorization with stays of up to 180 days — which is now the route for British citizens visiting Saudi Arabia.
Ready to Apply for Your Saudi ETA?
Send us your passport scan and a photo today — we submit the same working day, and most ETAs are approved within 2 to 4 hours. £40 per applicant, all-inclusive.
Apply Now