Technology and visa service provider VFS Global unveiled a new visa application centre in the Saudi capital of Riyadh this week.

Conceived as a way to more efficiently and conveniently process visa applicants for travellers headed to the UK and Australia, the new centre has been designed with comfort at heart – incorporating increased seating capacity, large car park as well as travel services facilities within the premises for a seamless customer experience – close to the diplomatic centre of the city.

“We continually look for new and innovative ways to improve the visa service”

Officially opening the new visa application centre, H.E. Simon Collis, ambassador of the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia (main image, centre right) said: “Our customers in Saudi Arabia are extremely important to us, and we continually look for new and innovative ways to improve the visa service we offer, both to Saudi nationals and local residents.

We offer an excellent visa service for those who choose to apply for a UK visa. For Saudi nationals, the average processing time for non-settlement visas is less than 5 days. Whether speed, convenience or comfort is the priority, we hope that this new VAC – and indeed the visa services available across the whole of Saudi Arabia – provides our customers with a Great British welcome from the very start of their journey to the UK.”

“Visa processing and accessing necessary travel services under one canopy”

Vinay Malhotra, regional group COO for the Middle East, South Asia and China at VFS Global, said: “The new standalone centre has been designed with a view to provide a comprehensive experience to applicants in terms of visa processing and accessing necessary travel services under one canopy. The UK continues to remain a popular destination for tourism, business and student visitors from Saudi Arabia.”

Adding in, he said: “The latest visa figures show that over 130,000 Saudi nationals were issued a UK visa in the last year. We are confident that the new centre for the UK and Australia visa applicants will provide enhanced convenience and ensure customer delight.”