Apply for a Saudi Student Visa From the UK

You apply through the Saudi Embassy in London after receiving an acceptance letter and visa block number from a recognised Saudi university. Your GCSE or higher academic certificates must be attested by the UK Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau (UKSACB), and you must complete a medical examination with an approved doctor, obtain an ACRO police certificate, have documents FCDO-stamped, and attend a biometric appointment at Tasheer. Continental Visa manages this full process from London.

You need a valid British passport (minimum 6 months' validity), two recent passport-sized photographs, an official university acceptance letter, the visa block number from your Saudi university, GCSE certificates attested by UKSACB, a Kittam letter from SACB, an FCDO-stamped medical report, an ACRO Police Certificate issued within the last three months and verified by FCDO, and a completed Tasheer biometric appointment.

UKSACB is the UK Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau, which attests academic certificates (typically GCSEs) required for a Saudi student visa. During this process, SACB issues a confirmation document known as the Kittam letter, which must accompany your visa application. Continental Visa can manage UKSACB verification on your behalf for an additional fee.

Total processing typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from the date the university issues your acceptance letter, depending on how quickly UKSACB attestation, the medical examination, ACRO certificate, FCDO stamping, and the Tasheer biometric appointment can be completed. We work in parallel where possible to keep the timeline as short as possible.

Our service charge is £70 per visa application. Additional costs include the Saudi-approved medical examination at £310 and FCDO document stamping at £85 per document. Embassy fees, UKSACB attestation, and the ACRO Police Certificate are paid separately to the relevant authorities. A full itemised breakdown is provided at the consultation stage.

Yes. A medical examination performed by a Saudi-approved designated doctor is mandatory. The medical report must be stamped by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) before it can be submitted with your visa application. Continental Visa arranges both the medical appointment and the FCDO legalisation.

Tasheer is the official appointment provider for Saudi visa applicants in the UK. After all documents are submitted and approved, you will be scheduled for a biometric appointment where you must attend in person with your original passport and two passport-sized photographs. Fingerprints and a photograph are captured for the Saudi authorities.

A Saudi student visa does not grant general work rights. Limited on-campus or university-approved part-time work may be permitted depending on your university's policy and Ministry approvals. If you intend to work in Saudi Arabia, a separate work visa is required.

No. The Saudi student visa is your entry visa. After arrival in Saudi Arabia, your university or sponsor will convert your status to a student Iqama (residency permit), which serves as your in-country identification for the duration of your studies.

Spouses and dependent children of postgraduate students or scholarship recipients can typically apply for a Saudi family residency visa once you have entered Saudi Arabia and converted to an Iqama. Eligibility varies by university and sponsor — we can advise on your specific case.