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VFS to issue biometric Saudi visas in UAE

Abu Dhabi, May 26, 2014

VFS TasHeel International has announced the launch of biometric services in the UAE for Saudi visas.

The UAE-headquartered company is a joint venture between VFS Global (a division of Kuoni Travel Group, Switzerland) and TasHeel of Saudi Arabia. It has visa services centres in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

Established in 2012, VFS TasHeel is a collaborative enterprise tasked with managing and administrating the Saudi Arabia visa application process as mandated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Saudi Arabia in 33 countries.

The VSF TasHeel had begun granting visas in UAE for all categories except Hajj and Umrah commenced since last April.

The new office was set up after biometric enrollment for visa applicants to Saudi Arabia from the UAE was made mandatory following directives from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The biometric enrollment services will include collection of fingerprints and photo capture.

Madhan Gopalakrishnan, the CEO of VFS TasHeel said: “We are pleased to be fulfilling the role assigned to us by the Saudi MoFA, which is to facilitate a smooth, streamlined visa application process for travellers to the kingdom. We at VFS TasHeel seek to provide these services through our efficient, customer-friendly approach, acting as a trusted mediator between visa applicants and the Saudi mission.”

 Saudi government has instituted biometric requirements in an effort to ease the travel process for individuals visiting the Kingdom. These requirements will be applied in a number of markets, rolled out country by country to ensure their careful and successful implementation.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has mandated that VFS TasHeel will handle biometric enrollment services in the UAE, including those for Hajj and Umrah travelers.

Although the company does not process Hajj and Umrah visa applications, it will be responsible for providing the biometric enrollment services for all Saudi visa applicants willing to travel to the Kingdom.-TradeArabia News Service
 




Tags: UAE | Saudi | Visa | VFS Global |

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