The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) service for citizens of the UK, effective 1 July 2026, facilitating multiple-entry travel for a variety of purposes.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
For eligible UK citizens, the ETA may simplify travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism, short-term study, and business by reducing reliance on other entry processes for those activities. For employers and globally mobile employees, this development may affect travel planning, internal travel guidance, and administrative timelines for short-term business travel. At the same time, travel for employment, residence, or Hajj remains outside the ETA framework, so organizations may wish to distinguish clearly between ETA-eligible travel and travel that continues to require a different immigration route.
Key Highlights
- Before this launch, eligible UK citizens needed to rely on existing visa/entry routes rather than this ETA channel. From 1 July 2026, an ETA route is now available for the listed purposes.
- ETA permits UK citizens to enter Saudi Arabia multiple times and stay up to 180 days, either in one visit or spread across several visits within a year.
- Authorization covers tourism, short-term study, and business travel; excludes employment, residence, and Hajj visas.
KPMG INSIGHTS
In light of the changes, organizations might wish to consider the following:
- Review travel policies and internal communications in relation to the new ETA process and its limitations for eligible UK employees.
- Update internal guidance to distinguish between ETA-covered travel and travel categories that continue to require other immigration permissions, including employment or residence authorization.
If assignees and/or their programme managers have any questions or concerns about the scope of the update, its application and potential impacts, and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified immigration professional or a member of the GMS/People Services team with KPMG in the Lower Gulf (see the Contacts section).
ENDNOTE:
1 Saudi Press Agency (SPA), “Ministry of Foreign Affairs launches electronic travel authorization service for UK citizens,” published on 25 June 2026 (access may be restricted).
Contacts
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the United Arab Emirates.
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