VFS Global, a leading outsourcing specialist for governments, will be launching German visa application centres in 10 new countries including  UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain.

The Federal Foreign Office of Germany has selected VFS Global to manage German visa applications in two additional regions - the Middle East and North Africa. The contract covers 10 countries of operations and runs until 2023.

VFS Global already processes visas for Germany in nine countries across the globe.

The first of the Germany visa application centres in the new regions will be launched in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Manama on February 1.

This contract award further strengthens VFS Global's position as a strong visa processing partner for Schengen member states, and significantly enhances its presence in the Middle East and North Africa.

Chris Dix, head - business development, VFS Global said: "VFS Global's relationship with Germany has grown from strength to strength since our partnership started in 2005, with operations now spanning 19 countries globally. This new contract is testament to the Federal Foreign Office of Germany's faith in our services. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Germany, and to offering our first class visa processing services to the residents of the Middle East and North Africa regions."

This new contract award comes soon after VFS Global's three year contract extension by the Norwegian Government, covering 39 countries in the Europe and Russia, Asia & Oceania, Middle East & Africa, and Americas regions.

For VFS Global, 2017 has been an eventful year with contracts awarded for eight new client governments: namely, Armenia, Bahrain, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Nigeria, Slovakia and Ukraine.

VFS Global ended the year as the trusted partner to 58 client governments worldwide, offering a range of visa, permit, passport, consular, identity and citizen services. - TradeArabia News Service