French & Swiss visa applications to be processed through VFSGlobal’s new Schengen VAC in Bengaluru

Austria, Belgium, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden visa applications will also be accepted at the newly relocated centre at Central Street
 
April 20, 2012 - PRLog -- Bengaluru, 18 April 2012: Mr Dominique Causse, Consul General of France, Bengaluru, and Mr Rolf Frei, Consul General of Switzerland, Bengaluru, announced the launch of the new service for collection of visa applications and delivery process in Bengaluru through VFS Global’s Schengen Visa Application Centre (SVAC). VFS Global, the global outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions and governments worldwide, will manage and operate the SVAC at Prestige Atrium, Central Street.

VFS Global will be responsible only for accepting applications for French visas from applicants residing in Bangalore as well as other parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and for and Swiss visas from applicants residing in Karnataka. All applications will continue to be assessed and processed by the Consulate Generals of France in Bengaluru and Switzerland in Mumbai, respectively.

The key features of the centre will be longer operating hours, 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, email support and door step delivery of passports. The service would attract a nominal service fee payable at the SVAC in INR at the time of submitting the application. The SVAC will remain open from 08:00 to 16:00 hrs for better convenience to the applicants.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Causse stated “The opening of the visa service by the Consulate General in Bangalore in February 2011 received a tremendous accolade from all potential visitors. Most visitors wish to go to France for business contacts, tourism and higher studies. The availability of a direct flight to Paris every day is also a facilitator”.

The introduction of Swiss visa application service in Bengaluru is one of the ten satellite centres to have started in India. Excited about this development, Mr Frei said “Switzerland was one of the first countries to cement diplomatic relations with India after its independence. That was only the beginning of the love story that further blossomed through Bollywood romancing in the Swiss Alps. The opening of the Switzerland Visa Application Centre in Bangalore will only strengthen our endeavours and strong will to intensify people to people contact through travel.’’ He further added “76,700 visas were issued to Indians travelling to Switzerland in the year 2011 an increase of 25% compared to the year 2010.”


The swanky new SVAC at Central Street (earlier located at Infantry Road) will also accept visa applications for other Schengen countries of Austria, Belgium, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden, and has been operational since 26 March 2012. Applicants travelling to Europe can now benefit from the SVAC with the facility of applying for visa to any of these missions under one roof. Relocation of this service to a state-of-the-art facility with plush interiors is aimed at bringing about convenience for applicants applying for Schengen visas in Bengaluru and adding more efficiency with additional staff and counters. The premise spread over 3500 sq ft, offers an increased seating capacity of over 100 applicants at any given point of time, and ample parking facility.
Upbeat about this association, Mr Vishal Jairath, Regional Head - South Asia, VFS Global said, “It is our privilege to partner the Consulate Generals of France and Switzerland in Bengaluru, as well as our other Schengen customers, to provide visa application process for the residents of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. We are committed to providing highly efficient and convenient services to all visa applicants applying for French and Swiss visas in the city. Applicants in Karnataka and other cities of Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh can now apply at VFS Global’s convenient and comfortable Schengen Visa Applications Centre and expect professional services at all times”.

He further added “VFS Global is honoured to be associated with the Government of France in India since 2004 and Switzerland in India since 2007. We also have the privilege to be associated with the French Government in 11 other countries and Swiss Government in UK and Ukraine, providing similar services in these countries. This extension of our association with the French and Swiss Governments reflects their faith in our abilities, and we are sure this will go a long way in forging a longstanding partnership with the Governments of France and Switzerland, and VFS Global. We also invite applicants wishing to travel to other Schengen countries of Austria, Belgium, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden to visit our new state-of-the-art and better equipped Schengen VAC and benefit from the renewed and additional services offered by VFS Global.”

Bengaluru, also known as the Silicon Valley of India due to its position as the nation's leading IT exporter, has witnessed a significant growth in trade exchanges with leading European countries. Enhanced air-connectivity to major cities in Europe has been instrumental in the increase of passenger traffic comprising professionals from heavy industries, software companies, aerospace, telecommunications, and defence organisations in the city and other areas of Karnataka. This, along with simultaneous growth in tourism as well as education, has prompted the need for such dedicated visa application services.

For more information about the French and Swiss visa application services at the SVAC, please visit http://www.vfs-france.co.in/ and http://www.vfs-ch-in.com/

Schengen Visa Application Centre

Address: Prestige Atrium 2nd Floor, No 1, Central Street, Bengaluru 560001

FRANCE
Helpline: +91 120 6641099 || Email: infofrancein@vfshelpline.com || Website: www.vfs-france.co.in

Business Hours:
Acceptance of Applications (All Applicants): 08:00 to 15:00 hrs | Monday to Friday
(except holidays as declared by the Consulate)

Return delivery of Applications: 15:00 to 16:00 hrs | Monday to Friday
(except holidays as declared by the Consulate)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SWITZERLAND
Helpline: +91 022 66103407 || Email: infoswiss.westin@vfshelpine.com || Website: www.vfs-ch-in.com
      
Business Hours:
Acceptance of Applications (All Applicants): 08:00 to 15:00 hrs | Monday to Friday
(except holidays as declared by the Consulate)

Return delivery of Applications: 15:00 to 16:00 hrs | Monday to Friday
(except holidays as declared by the Consulate)

*VFS Global will be responsible only for accepting applications for France and Switzerland visas. All applications will continue to be assessed and processed by the Consulate General of France in Bangalore and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Mumbai. Timelines for turnaround of visas are as per the discretion of the authorities.
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