Spain visa application center opens in Riyadh and Jeddah.

VFS Global, a global outsourcing and technology services specialist primarily serving diplomatic missions and government agencies across the world, opened a new visa application center for Spain in Riyadh yesterday.

"The embassy of Spain in Saudi Arabia, in fact, has tied up with the VFS Global and extended the collection of visa applications and delivery process in Riyadh and Jeddah through their Schengen Visa Application Center (VAC)," said Pablo Bravo, Spanish ambassador.

Bravo, speaking on the occasion of the center's opening at the Spanish Embassy, said: "Thanks to our partnership with VFS Global, the Spanish Embassy will be able to provide a better visa service for Saudi citizens and handle more visa applications as per the highest standards of quality and efficiency. I am proud of the agreement signed with VFS, which is a step forward in our wish of enhancing and strengthening relations between the Kingdom and Spain." "The VFS Global is honored to be associated with the embassy of Spain in the Kingdom and it is our privilege that we have been given the opportunity to extend our association to Riyadh and Jeddah," said Sachin Verma, VFS head of operations for the Middle East. "Residents of Riyadh, Jeddah and other parts of Saudi Arabia will now find it convenient to apply for visas to Spain, which is an important ally of the Kingdom in the context of political and commercial relations." "We are committed to providing highly efficient and convenient services to all visa applicants applying for Spanish visas in the city," said Verma, speaking at the launch. VFS Global will be responsible for accepting and processing applications for Spanish visas from applicants residing in Saudi Arabia, he said. All applications will now be accepted by the center, while the Spanish diplomatic mission will continue to assess the applications, he explained.

The key features of the visa center are longer operating hours, a dedicated website for easy access, visa information including visa types, applicable fees and application status, professional and responsive staff dedicated to handle visa queries, dedicated call center unit along with a dedicated helpline, email support and courier delivery of passports. The center will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Saturday to Wednesday.

The visa center, which is in a complex housing other visa centers, is located on the first floor of Dove Plaza (Hyper Panda) in Riyadh's Umm Al-Hamam district of. In Jeddah, the center is located on the ground floor of Manazil Muttaqin in Al-Ruwais District. The center's inaugural ceremony was also attended by Carmen Fernandex Torres, deputy head of mission at the Spanish Embassy; Luis Pertusa Rodriguez, consular head; Mohan Mathew, COO of Etimad and Harris Moosa, VFS country manager.

VFS Global is a global outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions and governments worldwide. The company manages visa issuance-related administrative and non-judgmental tasks for its client missions. With 526 Visa Application Centers and operations in 63 countries across five continents, VFS Global serves the interests of the diplomatic missions of 37 governments.

Copyright: Arab News 2012 All rights reserved.

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