British Embassy Riyadh

The British Embassy in Riyadh represents UK interests across one of Britain's most significant partnerships in the Middle East, supporting extensive commercial ties, defense cooperation, and cultural exchange with Saudi Arabia. The UK-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, established in 2018, coordinates bilateral cooperation across defense, security, politics, economics, and social development. British companies maintain substantial presence across Saudi Arabia's economy including energy, defense, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and financial services, with over 1,300 UK firms operating in the Kingdom. Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's economic diversification strategy, creates opportunities aligned with British expertise in professional services, technology, tourism development, entertainment, financial services, and sustainable infrastructure. The embassy's commercial section supports British companies pursuing opportunities in Saudi mega-projects, energy transition, healthcare expansion, education sector development, and emerging sectors including entertainment and tourism. Bilateral trade exceeds £17 billion with targets to reach £30 billion by 2030. The embassy provides comprehensive consular services to British nationals in Saudi Arabia including expatriate workers, business travelers, and tourists visiting newly opened tourism destinations. Understanding Saudi culture, Islamic traditions, and local regulations proves essential for British nationals living in or visiting the Kingdom.

The British Embassy provides comprehensive consular services to British nationals in Saudi Arabia including emergency assistance, passport services, notarial services, and support for arrested or detained Britons. The 24-hour emergency line (+966 (0) 11 481 9100) provides urgent assistance. British expatriates should register with the embassy and understand Saudi legal requirements including employment sponsorship, driving regulations, and cultural sensitivities. The embassy maintains lists of English-speaking lawyers, doctors, and service providers.

Vision 2030 economic diversification creates opportunities in entertainment, tourism, healthcare, education, technology, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure. British investors engage in mega-projects including NEOM, Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya. Opportunities exist in financial services, professional services, technology startups, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and tourism development.

British Council supports English language education, educational partnerships, and cultural programming. Thousands of Saudi students study at UK universities through scholarship programs and self-funded studies, creating strong alumni networks. British curriculum schools operate in Saudi cities. Cultural exchanges, arts programming, and educational cooperation strengthen people-to-people ties.