Germany has launched a new visa application centre in Muscat, Oman, providing applicants with enhanced convenience in visa processing services and biometric enrolment formalities.

Thomas F. Schneider, ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Oman, today attended the opening of the new centre in Muscat, which will be operated by VFS Global, a leading outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions worldwide.

The new visa centre, which went live on April 4, will receive and process applications for Schengen visa to Germany as well as to Iceland.

The VFS Global German visa application centre in Oman is located at Level-1, Tilal Complex, MGM, Dohat Al Adab Street, Al Khuwair, Muscat, Oman.

Commenting on the new visa application centre, Schneider, said: "Our cooperation with VFS Global offers visa applicants all advantages of a private service provider for swiftly filing their applications while the Embassy can concentrate its own resources on the expeditious processing and issuing of visa."

VFS Global is mandated by the Federal Republic of Germany to handle visa applications including collecting biometric data across 10 countries in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) under the terms of the contract valid up to 2023.

It is anticipated that VFS Global will be handling approximately 200,000 visa applications for Germany in the region annually.  Apart from the Middle East, the company already operates visa application centres for Germany in nine countries across the globe.

Vinay Malhotra, regional group COO for Middle East, South Asia & China, VFS Global, said: “The German Visa Application Centre in Oman has been opened under a mandate from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany to VFS Global to operate visa application centres across the Mena region. We have already opened German visa centres in various Gulf countries in the recent past with the aim of providing seamless services to visa applicants. VFS Global has a non-judgmental role in visa processing encompassing initial processing of visa applications submitted by prospective travellers to Germany. The decision on granting visas is taken by the German Embassy in Oman.”

The German visa application centre in Oman will be run by well-trained professionals. The application process in the centre will take a maximum 40 minutes. “We are confident that Omani and non-Omani travellers will be delighted at the convenience, efficiency and ease of access VFS Global offers to its customers,” Malhotra added.

The VFS Global visa application centre for Germany will provide secure and time-efficient processing of entry permit requirements in a friendly ambience. Applicants can also opt for the comfort and privacy of a Premium Lounge.

Some of the key features of the centre include convenience in terms of location, automated queue governance for smooth flow of applicants and a dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, check-lists and applicable fees. Apart from these, VFS Global staff is well trained in secure handling of passports, documents and personal information. Door-step delivery of passport is also yet another service VFS Global offers. - TradeArabia News Service