A new UAE consular services and visa-issuance centre has been opened in New Delhi, India, marking its sixth unit outside of the Emirates, said a report.

The new office has been setup to process visa applications and further speed up the entry of Indian citizens and residents of the sub-continent to the UAE, said a report in WAM.

Mohammed Mer Al Raisi, under-secretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, inaugurated the services in the presence of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung, assistant under-secretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, UAE Ambassador to India Dr. Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Banna, Director of the Consular Section in New Delhi Rehab Al Mansouri, and a number of senior Indian officials.

"The consular section and the visa centre are aimed at enhancing consular co-operation between the UAE and India, delivering better customer service, and streamlining the entry of Indian workers," said Al Raisi.

Indians willing to apply for a work visa in the UAE can present their documents, biometrics, and results of medical checks issued by accredited medical facilities, which will be verified by the centre along with the applicant's original passports, iris scans and face prints.

The procedures will save the costs of recruitment, quarantine and deportation, and improve customer service.

Through the new centre, the UAE foreign ministry provides all related administrative services in co-operation with the Ministry of Interior using a fully integrated electronic system within an advanced framework of security controls aimed at achieving maximum protection for visa and entry procedures.