Saudi Embassy in London

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in UK is located in Mayfair on 30 Charles Street, London W1J 5DZ. The Embassy acts as a diplomatic base for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the UK and provides services to Saudi citizens in the UK and citizens of other nationalities living in the UK who want to visit Saudi Arabia.

The Embassy in London is the first diplomatic mission undertaken by the Kingdom after its formation. The Embassy was set up in 1930 and is called the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London. Today, the Embassy is the second-largest diplomatic mission headed by the Kingdom in the UK.

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia is located at the Crewe House, one of the largest houses built in the 17th century. The house was sold to Saudi Arabia to set up the Royal Embassy in the 1980s. After the purchase, the house was modified and extended to display both the 18th-century architectural influence and the Saudi Arabian heritage. The extensions and modifications included the creation of a central Majlis (prayer room) for daily pilgrimage.

How to get to the Embassy?

Address:30 Charles Street, London W1J 5DZ

The Royal Embassy is located on Charles Street. The closest subway station to the embassy is the Green Park. The embassy is a 7-minute walk from the station. You can also get down at Hyde Park subway station and walk for 10 minutes to get to the embassy. Alternatively, the closest bus stop is at the Hilton Hotel Stop. The embassy is a 6 minute walk from the bus stop.

Services Provided by the Embassy

The Royal Embassy provides services to diplomats travelling to and from the Kingdom, Saudi citizens living in the UK and British citizens who wish to travel to the Kingdom. The key services provided by the Embassy include:

● Visa Applications

The Embassy provides visa services to Saudi citizens living in the UK and British citizens who want to travel to the Kingdom. The Embassy provides15 types of visas:

1. Working Visit Visas
2. Business Visas
3. Extension of Exit Re-Entry Visa
4. Family Visa
5. Diplomatic and Special Visas
6. Work Visas
7. Residency Visas
8. Missions and Organisation Visas
9. Government Visas
10. Student Visas
11. Marine and Seamen Working Visas
12. Personal Visit Visas
13. Escort Visas
14. Commercial Visas
15. Tourism Visa

● Medical and Legal Services

The Embassy provides both medical and legal aid to Saudi citizens living in the UK. This includes issuing documents including passports, verification certificates and visas in case of theft or legal emergencies, issuance of verification documents, certificates and travel documents in case of medical emergencies.

● Personnel Registration

The Embassy also provides registration services for Saudi citizens in case of death. The Embassy also issues death certificates and provides legal and medical certificates required to transfer the body back to the Kingdom. If the parents wish to claim a Saudi nationality for their child, the Embassy also provides registration and issuance services.

● Document Authentication

The Embassy provides authentication of documents issued by the Kingdom. Citizens who wish to submit a document issued by the Kingdom, including birth and death certificates, educational certificates, bank certificates or visa invitation certificates, can have them attested by the Embassy.

● To Whom it may Concern Letters

The Embassy also provides ‘to whom it may concern letters’ for Saudi citizens who want to apply for official documentation in the UK. This includes status cards, family books, driving licenses, proof of life certificates, etc.

● Translation

The Embassy does not provide translation services to citizens. However, Saudi citizens who have documentation like birth certificates, death certificates, bank statements, educational qualifications can get them attested after translation from the Embassy.

These are the primary services provided by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in the UK. The Embassy also has an online portal that assists in visa applications. For citizens who want to visit the Embassy to conduct affairs, it is critical to know that the Embassy’s working hours are 9 am to 4 pm on Mondays to Thursdays and 9 am to 3 pm on Fridays. All departments of the Embassy follow the same timing.

The Departments of the Embassy

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia has seven critical departments that provide unique services to the public.

● Defence Attache’s Office

Location: 26 Queens Gate, London SW7 5JE

Role: The Defence Attache’s Office houses the Defence Attache, responsible for handling the bilateral military and armed forces relations between the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The department represents the Kingdom’s Ministry of Armed Forces and all its departments to the UK government.

● Cultural Office

Location:630 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5RY

Role: The Cultural Office oversees the planning, implementation and execution of all cultural projects on behalf of the Kingdom. The office represents the Cultural Mission in the Saudi Embassy, including Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education and other institutions.

● Consular Office

Location:32 Charles Street, London W1J 20 7917 3000

Role:The consular office provides services to the citizens directly. These services include visa applications, renewals, new passports to Saudi citizens, urgent travel documents or medical documents on behalf of the Kingdom, and assisting diplomats from Saudi Arabia during their stay.

● Commercial Section

Location: 15/16 Queens Street, London W1J 5PQ

● Economic Section

Location:30 Charles Street, London W1J 5DZ

Role of Commercial and Economic Sections: These departments represent the commercial and economic interests of the Kingdom in the UK. The departments monitor and oversee situations in the UK that might affect the Kingdom and develop strategies to mitigate loss, overcome challenges or provide support, depending upon the situation.

● Islamic Affairs Section

Location:2nd Floor Park Lane, 111 Park Road, London NW8 7JL

Role: The Islamic affairs section assists those who want to learn more about Islam and Saudi Arabia. The department represents the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of the Kingdom.

● Health Attache’s Office

Location: Building 3, Chiswick Park,566 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5YA

Role: The Health Attache’s office maintains health-related relationships between the UK and the Kingdom. This includes the development of travel strategies, bans and restrictions between the countries after an outbreak.