How to Apply for a Tourist Visa to the United Kingdom for Filipinos in Saudi Arabia

As I mentioned in my other blog (UK Trip #1), here’s what we did to get UK Visitor Visa from Saudi Arabia.
 
1. Research, research. We found all the UK Visa- related information thru this LINK
2. Eligibility requirements – Checked! Our passports are valid for the whole duration of our planned visit to the UK.
3. Applied for UK Visa online and paid the applicable fees (2nd Feb 2022). We paid total of 133 USD for each applicant. You may use this LINK to apply for visitor visa.

• The following documents were submitted online together with the application form:
• Inclusive date of travel
• Hotel booking for the entire duration of stay
• Employment certificate (issued from Chamber of Commerce website)
• Bank Statement for six (6) months with official stamp
• Flight Reservations (Round trip)
• Details of travel history for the past 10 years

 4.   Appeared at the VFS Office to submit biometrics (8th Feb 2022)
 
The application process for a visitor visa to the United Kingdom is fairly simple and straightforward. Since we submitted all the requirements online, we were not asked to submit hard copies at the VFS anymore. We only had to go through fingerprinting protocol. It barely took two weeks from submitting our application online until our C- Type Multiple Entry UK Visa was issued on 22nd Feb 2022 which is valid for 6 months.

So here are the important points to apply for a UK tourist visa as a Filipino citizen living in Saudi Arabia. You will need to:

1. Check if you are eligible. You must be a Filipino citizen residing in Saudi Arabia for at least 6 months prior to your application. You must also have a valid passport and proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK.
2. Create an online account. You will need to create an online account with the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) website. Once you have created an account, you will be able to access the visa application form and start your application.
3. Complete the visa application form. The visa application form is quite comprehensive and will ask you for a lot of information, such as your personal details, travel plans, and financial information. Be sure to complete the form carefully and accurately.
4. Pay the visa application fee. The visa application fee for a UK tourist visa is £95. You can pay the fee online or by credit or debit card.
5. Book an appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre. Once you have paid the visa application fee, you will need to book an appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre in Saudi Arabia. There are UK Visa Application Centres in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
6. Attend your appointment. On the day of your appointment, you will need to bring your passport, visa application form, proof of payment, and any other supporting documents that are required. You will also need to have your fingerprints and photo taken.
7. Wait for your visa decision. The UKVI will process your visa application and make a decision within 15 working days. You will be notified of the decision by email or by phone.

If your visa application is approved, you will be issued a UK visa vignette (sticker) in your passport. This vignette will allow you to enter the UK for a period of up to 6 months.
Here are some additional tips for applying for a UK tourist visa as a Filipino citizen living in Saudi Arabia:

• Make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of return from the UK.
• Have proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK. This can be in the form of bank statements, savings account statements, or a letter from your employer confirming your salary.
• If you are planning to visit friends or family in the UK, you should provide their contact information and a letter of invitation.
• If you have any previous travel history, be sure to include this information in your visa application.
• Be honest and accurate in all of your responses on the visa application form.
  
  

If you have any questions about the UK tourist visa application process, you can contact the UKVI visa support center. Good luck and happy travels!