- Do I need a visa for the UK?
Please use the Do
I Need a Visa? guide on the UK Border Agency website
to find out if you need a visa to enter the UK.
- Can I take my domestic servant on holiday to the
UK?
Yes you can, but there are certain requirements placed
on them by the United Kingdom Immigration Rules. The
the domestic servant must have worked in the employer's
household for at least 12 months prior to the date of
your UK visa application. For more information on the
Immigration Rules you should check the UK
Border Agency guidance on Domestic Worker Visas.
- My old passport has expired but my UK visa is
still valid - what do I need to do?
If your UK visa remains valid, but you want to transfer
it into your new passport because your old passport
has expired you will need to submit a visa application
form. There is a charge for this service, please refer
to the 'visa application fee' page on this website.
You may also be requested to give your biometrics.
- Can my secretary or agent submit my visa application
for me?
They can assist you with your visa application. It is
your responsibility to check that the information on
the form is accurate and correct. You must also sign
your visa application form to confirm the information
you have given on is correct. You will have to attend
the visa application centre personally to submit your
visa application, supporting documents and to give biometric
data.
- Can my friend or family member in the UK apply
for my visa for me?
A friend or family member can assist you with your visa
application but you must ensure the information is correct,
sign the visa application form and visit the visa application
centre in person in Saudi Arabia to submit your biometric
data. If you provide false information, documents or
passports in support of your visa application you will
be refused a visa and all future applications will be
refused for up to 10 years.
- Will I be able to provide fingerscans if any of
my fingers are missing, injured or decorated with henna?
If any of your fingers are missing you can still provide
scans of your remaining fingers. We will make a note
of this. If you have cut or damaged your fingertips
we will not be able to take your finger-scans and you
may have to return when your injury has healed. Some
temporary decorations such as henna can cause finger
scans to be less clear. We will try to take finger scans
but if we cannot get a clear impression you will need
to either remove the decoration or return when it has
faded.
- Will my children need to provide biometric data?
Children aged 5 or above will need to provide biometric
data. This includes an electronic fingerscan and digital
photograph. Children under 5 years of age do not need
to submit their biometric data but they will have to
submit a completed visa application form and recent
photograph. Children under 5 do not need to attend the
visa application centre. Children between 5 and 18 will
need to have a responsible adult present with them at
the visa application centre when they have their biometric
data taken.
- Can I study in the UK?
For more information on how to apply for a visa to study
in the UK, please see the advice for students on the
UK
Border Agency website.
- Can I work in the UK?
Please refer to the UK
Border Agency Visa Services website for more information.
- How long will my visa be valid for?
The period for which your visa is valid is shown on
your visa. A standard visit visa is usually valid for
6 months, but we also issue visit visas that are valid
for 1, 2, 5 or 10 years. The visa officer will decide
what validity to give you. Longer term visas are usually
only issued to those with a verified travel history
to the UK and we recommend that if you are travelling
for the first time you should apply and pay for a 6
month visa. Generally visit visas are issued for an
unlimited number of entries to the UK. You may stay
a maximum of 6 months on each visit, or to the expiry
date of the visa, whichever is shorter. If you are coming
for another reason, the validity of the visa and how
long you may stay is dependent on the reason. If you
do not plan to travel immediately, you can ask for the
start date to be deferred by up to 3 months. You must
tell the visa officer this when you make your application.
- How long does it take to get a UK visa?
Please see the 'Guide to Processing
Times' page on this website for more information.
- Will you take my biometric data if I apply for
a Commonwealth visa?
No. We will only take biometric data from applicants
applying for a UK visa.
- Does the visa guarantee my entry to the UK?
On arrival in the UK a UK Border Agency Border Force
officer may check that you are here for the reasons
you have stated. You will also have your fingerprints
taken to confirm that you are the same person who applied
for a visa and who provided your biometric data in Saudi
Arabia. For more information about what you might expect
on arrival in the UK please visit the UK Border Agency
website.
- What is the latest date I can arrive in the UK
with my visa?
The expiry date will be shown on your visa, but remember
that this is also the last day on which; you are permitted
to stay in the UK.
- How long can I stay?
The last day on which you may enter or be in the UK
is the expiry date on the visa. For visitors, this is
normally a maximum of 6 months.
- Can I use the visa to enter the UK more than one
time?
UK visas are generally valid for multiple entries to
the UK, until the expiry date shown on the visa.
- If my travel plans are delayed, can the validity
of my visa be changed?
No, except where there are compelling compassionate
circumstances. At the discretion of a visa officer,
the expiry date of a visa can be extended for up to
3 months, provided there has been no change in your
circumstances. Otherwise you should apply for another
visa.
- What if my reason for going to the UK changes?
A visa is normally issued for a specific purpose. If
your reason for going to the UK changes, you should
inform the UK Border Agency at the location where your
visa was issued. You may need to make another visa application.
- Can I extend my stay in the UK?
Please see the information on extending your visa on
the UK Border Agency website.
- What if I am refused a UK visa?
Please see the 'Appeals'
page on this website for more information.
- Who can I contact if I need to talk to someone
about my refusal?
Your refusal notice will explain why your application
has been refused. If you have a refusal reference you
can contact the UK Border Agency through the visa application
centres in Saudi Arabia. Please refer to our 'Contact
Us' page for contact details.
- If I am refused, can I appeal against the decision?
If your visa application is refused, the visa officer
will give you a written notice clearly explaining the
decision, which will also tell you what right you have
to appeal against that decision. Please see the 'Appeals'
page on this website for more information.
- What happens if I win my appeal?
Your appeal determination will be sent from the Asylum
and Immigration Tribunal to the UK Border Agency in
the United Kingdom, who will then send it to Saudi Arabia.
It can take several weeks before this arrives with the
visa officer at the British Embassy in Riyadh. You should
allow at least 6 weeks from the date you or your representative
received your appeal determination before you contact
the UK Border Agency in Riyadh. The UK Border Agency
cannot process your visa application until it gets its
copy of your determination from official sources. For
more information and for contact details please see
the 'Appeals' page of this
website.
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