RIYADH: In an effort to generate awareness about the UK visa policy and guidelines, the British embassy in Riyadh will answer questions related to these services via Twitter on Wednesday.
The queries will be answered via the live Twitter Q&A hour using the hashtag #UKVisa to the @ukinsaudiarabia Twitter account.
"I am delighted to see that Saudis are continuing to choose the UK as a destination for holiday, study and business. Statistics show that Saudi applicants receive their visa decisions quickly, and the vast majority of applications are approved," British Ambassador Simon Collis said on Monday.
"The continued growth in visitors underlines the strong links between the Kingdom and the UK," he said.
Recent statistics have shown a rise in the number of UK visa applications from Saudi nationals. Last year, about 99 percent of visit visa applications were approved and visas were processed on average in just over five working days.
The UK missions issued more than 115,000 visas to Saudis wishing to travel to the UK to study, work or holiday last year.
During the question hour, the embassy will answer questions related to UK visa application guidelines; fees; visa categories; processing centers and time. The session will not respond to queries on individual cases.
Meanwhile, the British embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah have welcomed British pilgrims arriving for umrah during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
British Embassy to answer visa queries via Twitter
British Embassy to answer visa queries via Twitter
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
- A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
