Also in the news...
London-to-Accra economic growth summit ushers in new era of economic and investment agenda
The British High Commission in Accra, in partnership with the Bank of Ghana, will host the inaugural London-to-Accra Economic Growth Summit on 6 January 2026.
Overcoming Logistics Challenges in International Projects
International industrial projects promise opportunity, but also bring complications. For project leaders, engineers and logistics professionals, the question isn’t whether challenges will arise, but how they’ll be managed. From variable infrastructure to customs compliance, successful delivery across borders requires foresight, flexibility and the right partners.
Switzerland: providing services and travelling for business
Guidance for UK businesses on rules for selling services to Switzerland.
UK lands trade deal with South Korea to boost jobs and exports
UK lands momentous trade deal with South Korea to boost jobs and exports
New laws bring the world of work into the 21st century
Over 15 million people across the UK are expected to benefit as the Employment Rights Act receives Royal Assent.
Changes to the visa application centre service in Al Khobar
UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) has announced a change to the Visa Application Centre service in Al Khobar
From 1 September, customers wishing to apply for a UK visa at the application centre in Al Khobar will be required to pay a fee of £52 in addition to the cost of their visa. The fee will be charged at the point of paying for the visa application and will cover the cost of providing the application submission facilities.
Under the new arrangements the fee enables customers who would usually apply in Al Khobar to continue to have access to a local service, which would otherwise be cost prohibitive to provide. This is in line with our global model of charging in low volume locations around the world, to ensure customers have the option of a convenient service.
There will be no additional charge to use our centres in Riyadh or Jeddah and customers can travel to these centres rather than pay the additional fee if they would prefer. Customers can also use the centre in Manama, Bahrain if they would prefer not to pay the additional fee.
Al Khobar is one of a number of centres around the world that will be converted to a user pays VAC on 1 September. The UK already operates nearly 100 User Pays visa application centres worldwide