First Schengen Visa Application Center in Western India

March 2, 2009 - PRLog -- First Schengen Visa Application Center in Western India
Visa applicants can now apply for visas to 6 Schengen States through SVAC

Mumbai, 19th February, 2009: VFS Global - the largest Consular Services Facilitation Company in the world, today, unveiled a unique concept of Joint Visa Application Centre for the Schengen countries. The Schengen Visa Application Centre (SVAC) was inaugurated by the officials from the Consulates of Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The SVAC - another successful innovation from VFS Global has evolved as an extension to the Schengen co-operation, which involves the co-operation of 25 European countries. VFS Global has successfully implemented the SVAC model in other geographical regions, which include the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

This SVAC will process visa applications for six Schengen countries, which include Switzerland, Italy, France, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The centrally located SVAC aims to provide a convenient one-stop-shop to the visa applicants traveling to any of these six Schengen countries.

According to Mr. Jan F.van Vriesland - Consul, Consulate General of The Netherlands, Mumbai, “Since the beginning of our association with VFS Global in September 2006, VFS has continually demonstrated integrity, reliability and unquestionable expertise in their core domain. Their ability in providing customized solutions has helped us maximize efficiency and enhance overall service levels to applicants. VFS has recently been engaging in initial initiatives with regard to gathering of Biometric data and we are hopeful that this will translate into new opportunities and benefits to all concerned parties. We are confident that the introduction of the Schengen Visa Application Centre will lead to a higher degree of customer satisfaction to all those desirous of visiting the Netherlands.”

At the occasion, Mr. Sanjay Bhaduri - Chief Operating Officer, VFS Global said, “Over the last few years we have observed a positive trend in the number of Indians traveling to the European destinations. This trend has manifested itself in a requirement to process large volumes of visa applications. I believe that introduction of the SVAC model is an ideal solution to meet this kind of demand collectively, for the Schengen countries.”

As per Schengen rules, the applicant must first identify which Schengen country is the main destination and that would determine which Consulate the traveler should approach for the visa. If the main destination cannot be determined, the traveler should file the visa application at the Consulate of the Schengen country of first entry. The SVAC will facilitate effective visa application processing for any of the six Schengen countries from a single location. Hence, resulting in enhanced convenience and ease for the applicant. Though the SVAC will be a common point for submitting visa applications to any of the six Schengen countries, the decision to issue visas will remain solely with the respective Consulates.

Said Mark Neel - Consul, Consulate General of Belgium, Mumbai, “With VFS Global as our visa service partner, over the last 2 1/2 years, we have been able to use our resources more efficiently and provide our customers a quick and convenient visa service. We have greatly benefited from their commitment to introduce technically advanced solutions so as to ensure that all transactions are safe and secure. We have always found VFS Global amiable to change and adapt new technologies which benefit applicants travelling to Belgium.  VFS Global has also expanded relationships with Belgian Missions across the globe and we hope to see this relationship expanding with our renewed partnership at the Schengen Visa Application Centre.”

The SVAC will be open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for submission of visa applications and 4:30 to 5:00 for collection of passports. The SVAC will offer prompt and efficient responses to all queries relating to the visa application process services through its dedicated contact centre for respective missions and professional application tracking facility through online tracking system and sms.

As a customized solution, this SVAC will also provide facility for filling of visa application forms for Italy visa, legalization for the Belgian and Italian visas, and scheduling an appointment for completing the biometric process at the French Consulate.

Schengen Visa Application Centre (SVAC) address:
2nd floor, The News Shreyas
Plot No. 25, Dadyseth Lane
Chowpatty Band Stand
Babulnath, Mumbai – 400 007


For further details please contact:  
Varad Kamini                                  
GM – Corporate Communications                              
VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.                                    
Tel: +91 22 66562000/ +91 9820261145                  
Email: varadk@vfsglobal.com

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About VFS Global

VFS Global is the world’s largest and most preferred Consular Services Facilitation Company VFS Global focuses on serving Visa/ Consular sections of diplomatic missions by providing administrative support and managing non-judgmental tasks related to the entire lifecycle of the visa application process, thereby enabling diplomatic missions to focus on the key tasks of assessment and decision making.

For more information visit our website - www.vfsglobal.com