Are you a business owner from Saudi Arabia who wishes to visit the UK for work? Then, you are not alone, around 2.98 million people came to the UK from all parts of the world for business purposes. Then, the most important thing that you will need for this trip is a British visa from Saudi Arabia made for business purposes. This visa is just like the other ones; the only difference is that it is made for all the business professionals who are traveling to the country for their work.
On top of that, there are also a few other things that you will definitely need to know before taking this business trip. So, if this is your first time as a Saudi Arabian visiting the UK then make sure you know all these things before you start your trip.
What do you need to enter the UK for business?
There are a few things that all individuals need when they are entering the UK from a foreign country. Well, the need for these things stays the same even when you are visiting for business.
Passport:
Your passport stands as the most important piece of document when it comes to entering a foreign land. This works as identification proof and proves your ties with your home country. This is why, you will be required to carry a valid passport for this business trip. Moreover, you should also make sure that your passport comes with a minimum validity of 6 months and has at least two blank pages. Moreover, your passport should also be devoid of any damage so that your information is readable.
Visa:
Getting a UK visit visa from Saudi Arabia is a must if you are entering the country for your business purposes. The standard visitor visa allows you to stay in the country for up to 6 months for any business or leisure purposes. This travel permit will prove your eligibility to enter the country, which is why it is a must for all. This can be obtained both through the embassy and through online. However, we prefer the latter for added convenience. But it is still better to know about both processes to make a fair choice.
Through the embassy
Getting your British visa from Saudi Arabia is pretty easy, the only downside to it is the fact that it can take up a lot of time. The steps for this one are;
- Visit the embassy near you and reach the right counter for the visa.
- Get the correct visa application form for your travel purposes.
- Fill up the entire visa form with all accurate details about yourself and the purpose of your visit. Moreover, you should also avoid making any mistakes if you do not want to face any delay in your visa approval process.
- Attach copies of all the necessary documents like your passport, bank statement, and supporting documents like a business invitation. Moreover, you will also have to add preferably 3 passport-sized photographs of yourself.
- Pay the fee required for the UK visit visa from Saudi Arabia. You can pay the amount for the application fee through your debit or credit card.
- The visa approval letter will be sent to your residence within a few days to weeks.
Through online
The steps of getting this visa are pretty easy. This just comes with a few simple steps that lead up to your British visa from Saudi Arabia. Some of these steps are;
- Visit the Immigration website of the UK or any other reputed site that is safe for the visa application process.
- Look through the site to find the appropriate visa application form made for your travel purposes.
- Fill up your form with all the accurate details related to you and your travel purpose. Moreover, please ensure that you make no errors like spelling mistakes and missing digits while writing the ID numbers.
- Pay the application fee for the British visa from Saudi Arabia through your preferred payment method like a debit or credit card.
- Receive your visa approval letter within the next few days and get a few printed copies of it to bring to the airport. You will receive the letter in the email ID that you provide in the form. So, remember to check it frequently.
UK eTA:
This is another permit that one can apply for other than getting a UK visit visa for Saudi Arabians. A UK eTA stands for Electronic Travel Authorization that can applied by the citizens of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. This stays valid for up to 2 years from the date of issue or till your passport stays valid. If you want to get this travel permit then you can easily apply for it through the eTA app of the UK.
Important things to keep in mind
There are a few important things that all Saudi Arabian who are visiting to UK for business should keep in mind. This includes the things that they can bring with them, the things they cannot, and some other important aspects. You need to keep this in mind during your travel to make the rest of the journey easy. This way, you will be able to avoid any last-minute stress and worries.
A. Things you cannot bring with you
There are a few items that are strictly prohibited on a flight to the UK. So, make sure, you do not bring them along with you when you get a UK visit visa from Saudi Arabia. Otherwise, you might end up in a legal issue with the Immigration Department.
- Controlled drugs
- Weapons like knives or screwdrivers.
- Rough diamonds
- Articles for self-defense, like pepper spray and CS gas.
- Books, magazines, DVDs, and films that have indecent or obscene content in them.
- Endangered plant or animal species.
B. Things that you can bring with you
Most things other than the ones listed above are generally allowed to be carried into the UK. However, there are a few things that should be declared to the customs department for your own benefit. Some of these things are:
- Goods that are over the duty-free allowance set for your country.
- Any goods that you plan to sell in the UK.
- Cash amount equivalent to or more than the set limit of €10,000.
C. Cooperating with the UK border security
The border control of the UK requires you to share a few things. If you refuse to cooperate then your entry will be denied. On top of that, you might even be stopped from visiting the UK in the future. Some of the things that you must keep in mind are:
- Have your required documents ready to be shared with the authority. Some of the things that you will be required to share are;
- Your valid passport.
- Your British visa for Saudi Arabia.
- Remove your sunglasses or any kind of face covering that you have. This helps in proper identity verification.
D. Get a SIM
All business professionals who are coming to the UK with a British visa for Saudi Arabians should get a new SIM for the trip. This will help you keep your communication intact while you are on your UK trip. On top of that, this also helps you avoid dependence on hotel WiFi. So, make sure you get this right after you reach the UK from Saudi Arabia.
Ready to visit the UK from Saudi Arabia for business?
Visiting the UK from Saudi Arabia can be effective in opening new business avenues for you. All that you will need to do is get a British visa from Saudi Arabia made for your visit purpose and keep the UK restrictions in mind. On top of that, you should also apply for the visa at least two weeks before your trip to avoid any kind of delay.
However, if you still face any delays or other issues then you can always contact the Helpdesk.
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