Residents of the UAE can now apply for visas to Finland at the new Finland Visa Application Centres launched in Abu Dhabi and Dubai by the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi.

 

Applicants can visit the new centres, operated by VFS Global, to submit visa applications and enrol for biometrics.

 

The Abu Dhabi centre, centrally located at Shining Tower on Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, was inaugurated by Riitta Swan, Ambassador of Finland to the UAE today (November 16). The centre in Dubai is located at the Wafi Mall.

 

Services at the new centres are designed to facilitate quicker and more streamlined visa application submission processes. For added convenience to applicants, the centres will also provide travellers to Finland a range of optional services ranging from Premium Lounge services to doorstep courier return-delivery of their processed passports.

 

Swan said: “The Embassy of Finland is very happy to launch the outsourcing of visa applications with VFS Global today. It is our firm belief that our customers will welcome the improvements in customer service and visa handling, which is our aim together with VFS Global.  As the holiday season and the end of the year festivities approach it is our pleasure to welcome tourists and other travellers to Finland.  I know that Santa Clause and his elves are getting ready for the season -  and so are we!”.

 

Vinay Malhotra, COO – Middle East & South Asia, VFS Global, said: “VFS Global is honoured and privileged to extend services for the Embassy of Finland in the Middle East. While VFS Global has served the Government of Finland since 2010 through Visa Application Centres worldwide, these two centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the first such launched in the Middle East region for this esteemed client government. We are confident to provide,  the residents of the United Arab Emirates with proficient and world-class visa services, and we are committed to delivering the highest levels of satisfaction for applicants.”

 

In the Middle East, VFS Global currently provides visa application processing services on behalf of 33 client governments, since it commenced its first opertions in the UAE in 2004.  - TradeArabia News Service