RIYADH: The UK has made changes to the process of visas for applicants from Saudi Arabia traveling to the UK for more than 6 months so as to meet the European Commission regulations, which require member states to issue a standard format residence permit document.

“From this month, we started issuing biometric residence permits (BRPs) for non-European Economic Area nationals who applied for their visas in Saudi Arabia for traveling to the UK for more than six months,” a British embassy spokesperson told Arab News on Sunday.

She added that the change will bring the UK’s processes in line with other European countries and will affect those applying to settle in the UK as well as students and workers applying for a longer stay visa.

However, she added that if anyone is applying to go on holiday or on a short business or study trip, using a visit visa, they will not need a BRP.

“If you are applying for or already have a long-term visit visa valid for 1,2,5 or 10 years, you will not be affected by the change and can continue to use your visa as normal,” she said.

Notably, the UK is the second most preferred destination after the United States for Saudi students going abroad for higher studies with 14,459 students studying in various UK universities. She stated that applicants will receive a 30-day visa in their passport and must travel within this period. Applicants will be required to collect their BRP from a post office that they select during the application stage within 10 days of arrival in the UK.

The residence card can then be used as proof of right to work, study and access public services in the UK.

Moreover, the card will also need to be presented when traveling in and out of the UK along with a valid travel document such as a passport.

Applicants will receive a letter, if their application is successful, which provides detailed information about collecting their BRP.

According to the British Embassy, there is no additional fee as the visa application fee remains the same.

The main purpose of the BRP is to provide evidence on immigration status.