Saudi Arabia

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Saudi Arabia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Saudi Arabia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Saudi Embassy in the UK. 

Passport validity requirements 

For entry into Saudi Arabia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. 

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Previous travel to Israel

You may not be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia if your passport shows that you have travelled to, or were born in, Israel.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements 

You must get a visa to visit Saudi Arabia. The type of visa you choose depends on your reason for travelling and how long you want to stay.

If you overstay your visa, you could face large fines, detention and deportation. You could be banned from returning to Saudi Arabia.  

Applying for an electronic travel authorisation  

You can apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) if you are travelling to Saudi Arabia for: 

• tourism 

• business 

• study 

• medical treatment 

• Umrah (outside the Hajj season) 

An ETA is is valid for 730 days from the date of issue. 

Valid for multiple entries, but only 180 days in total across the 730 day period .

Apply for an ETA online before you travel. If you are travelling for Hajj, you must obtain a separate Hajj visa. See Pilgrimage for more information. 

An ETA does not include health insurance for your visit. Visas issued before the ETA was introduced will remain valid, in accordance with the conditions and dates on the visa when issued.

Applying for an e-visa 

You can apply for an e-visa if you are a tourist.

E-visas are: 

• valid for 365 days from the date of issue 
• valid for multiple entries, but only for 90 days in total across the 365 day period  

Apply for an e-visa online or when you arrive at any of Saudi Arabia’s international airports.

An e-visa includes health insurance for your visit up to 100,000 Saudi Arabian Riyals (SAR). Medical treatment in Saudi Arabia can be expensive, and you should consider taking out additional travel insurance to cover costs beyond 100,000 SAR.

You must get a separate visa for Hajj. See Pilgrimage.

Applying for an electronic visa waiver

Electronic visa waivers are for:

• tourism 
• business 
• medical treatment 
• study 
• Umrah (outside of Hajj season)

An electronic visa waiver allows you to enter Saudi Arabia once and stay for up to 180 days.

An electronic visa waiver does not include health insurance for your visit.  

Apply for an electronic visa waiver online at least 48 hours before your flight, or up to 90 days in advance. You will need to give your flight details.

Travelling overland  

Your visa may only allow you to enter Saudi Arabia by air. If you plan to travel to Saudi Arabia by the Bahrain causeway, check your visa before travelling. Ask your travel agent or the Saudi Embassy if you need help. 

Travelling through Saudi Arabia 

If you’re transferring through Saudi Arabia, you may need a transit visa if: 

• you will pass through immigration control 
• you will leave Saudi Arabia on a separate ticket to the one you arrive on 
• the connecting time between your flights is more than 12 hours 

Check with your airline or travel agency if you require a transit visa.

Exit, re-entry and final exit permits 

If you live in Saudi Arabia, you must get an exit or re-entry permit from your sponsor to leave and re-enter the country. If you leave Saudi Arabia on a final exit permit, you must apply for a new visa to return to the country.  

Wives and children of Saudi nationals 

If you’re a woman married to a Saudi national, you must get a re-entry or final exit permit from your husband to leave Saudi Arabia. This also applies to children of Saudi nationals.

Flight restrictions around Hajj 

If you plan to travel around the time of the Hajj pilgrimage, check with your airline for any flight restrictions. 

The Saudi authorities have stopped visitors who are not performing Hajj from flying to Jeddah, Madinah and Taif. You may need a Hajj visa to board flights to these places during Hajj.  

You will still be able to enter Saudi Arabia through other airports.

Vaccine requirements  

To enter Saudi Arabia, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had a:

• yellow fever vaccine if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
• meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine if you’re a Hajj or Umrah pilgrim or a seasonal worker

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Saudi Arabia guide.

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Saudi Arabia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Items it’s illegal to import include:

• alcohol 
• pork and pork products 
• pornographic material 
• distillery equipment 
• weapons 
• narcotics 
• re-treaded or used tyres  
• used clothing except for personal use  

• certain sculptures such as religious symbols     Other items may be examined, including: 

• personal videos 
• books 
• electronic devices  

You may need special approval to bring some items such as:

• agricultural seeds 
• live animals 
• religious books (except for personal use) 
• chemicals and harmful materials 
• some pharmaceutical products 
• wireless equipment  
• radio-controlled model airplanes 
• archaeological artefacts 

Using technical equipment 

You may need a licence for: 

• satellite phones 
• listening or recording devices 
• radio transmitters 
• powerful cameras or binoculars 

If you need information on customs rules, contact the Saudi Embassy. 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel. 

Emergency services in Saudi Arabia  

Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police) 

If you do not have a Saudi SIM card, call 112 in an emergency. 

Reporting an incident in Saudi Arabia from the UK or another country 

Contact the Saudi Embassy in London or the Saudi Embassy in the country you are located. 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you’re involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including: 

• where to get advice if you’re in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Saudi Arabia  
• dealing with a death in Saudi Arabia 
• being arrested or imprisoned in Saudi Arabia 
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime  
• what to do if you’re in hospital  
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

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Risk information for British companies 

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Saudi Arabia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.