UK ETA for Saudi Citizens

Do Saudi citizens need a UK ETA?

Saudi Arabian citizens travelling to the UK for permitted short-stay purposes can generally apply for a UK ETA linked to their passport. The ETA is a digital permission linked to the Saudi passport used to apply — it is not a visa and does not guarantee admission.

For most eligible short visits the ETA removes the need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa. The application is completed online before travel, and the granted ETA is electronically tied to a single passport rather than stamped into it.

Requirements

• A valid passport from your country of citizenship that you intend to travel with
• A recent digital photograph meeting applicable requirements
• A working email address for application communications
• A valid online payment method

Application process

1. 1Check eligibility and select your travel purpose
2. 2Enter passport details and upload the passport identity page
3. 3Provide applicant information and upload a recent photo
4. 4Answer the additional background questions
5. 5Review everything, accept the declarations and pay securely
6. 6Receive your reference, confirmation email and invoice

Fees, processing and validity

The package price is the total amount collected for the complete application-processing service, including payment of the applicable UK ETA application fee on your behalf. One applicant pays the individual price; when two or more applicants apply and pay together, the reduced family/group rate applies to every applicant. Premium Global Visas offers three options: Standard Service £60 individual (£50 per applicant family/group, processing target within 24 hours), Priority Service £80individual (£70 per applicant family/group, processing target within 4 hours) and Super Priority Service £120 individual (£100 per applicant family/group, processing target within 15 minutes). You may instead apply directly through the official UK Government service. Processing targets begin only after complete information, documents and payment are received; UK ETA decisions are made solely by the relevant UK authorities and approval and entry cannot be guaranteed. Where current rules apply, an ETA is generally valid for up to 2 years or until the linked passport expires, whichever occurs first.

Transit considerations for Saudi citizens

There are direct flights between Saudi Arabia and major UK airports. Saudi citizens may need an ETA where their route involves passing through UK border control — for example when leaving the airport transit area, changing airports in London, or entering the UK before an onward flight. If you remain airside within the international transit area without passing through UK border control, different rules may apply. Confirm your itinerary against official UK Government guidance before finalising travel plans.

Dual nationals and second passports

If you are a Saudi citizen who also holds British or Irish citizenship, or another qualifying UK immigration permission, you may not need an ETA. If you hold a second non-UK passport, apply on the passport you intend to carry and present at the UK border — the ETA is linked to that one passport and you must travel on it.

Children and families

Every traveller who requires an ETA must have their own application, including Saudi children and babies. A parent, guardian or authorised person may prepare an application for a minor where permitted. Our family flow lets you add every applicant within one checkout session so a family can apply and pay together.

Common application mistakes to avoid

• Entering a passport number, name or date of birth that does not exactly match the Saudi passport identity page, including the English transliteration of the name
• Applying on a passport close to expiry, then renewing it before travel — the ETA stays linked to the original passport and a new application may be needed
• Uploading a passport scan with glare across the machine-readable zone, or an applicant photo with a non-plain background
• Waiting until shortly before departure, when UK Government processing times can vary

Frequently asked questions