VFS Global launches services for convenience of visa applicants
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, January 24
To cut the further spread of agents involved in visa application work, the VFS Global, an authorised visa facilitation company for 50 countries, has begun promoting a slew of services for the convenience of applicants.
In the list of a host of initiatives are the walk-in help desk, premium lounge service, visa at doorstep, prime time service and weekend facility and tracking facility on SMS, said Amit Kumar Sharma, India North and East and Nepal head of the company.
Sharing details about the same, Sharma said, “Travellers often encounter issues particularly while filling out the form for their visa application. However, at the premium lounge, a trained staff handholds the customer throughout the visa application process, putting them at complete ease. The personalised attention and step-by-step assistance make the premium lounge suitable for first time travellers and senior citizens. The service, however, comes at an additional payment of Rs 2,500 or so depending upon the destination”. The help-desk and SMS services, however, are quite economical.
He further added, “The doorstep visa has become very popular, especially for those travelling in groups. This technology-enabled service brings the visa application process to the remote locations and hinterlands of India—giving them the luxury of an easy application process. A trained team visits the individual or group at their preferred location to enrol their biometric data and collect their visa application documents. This service is available for Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, France, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Germany, UK and Italy.”
The company official said, “Students, working professionals and other individuals who may not be able to visit the visa application center during regular working hours can immensely benefit from the prime time service—which allows individuals to apply for their visas without interrupting their schedules. With prime time service, applicants no longer need to take leave from office or school for visa appointments. It allows the applicants to seek appointments for weekends or even during timings before and after the working hours.”
With 3,436 application centres, operations in 148 countries, the VFS Global has processed over 217 million applications since 2001.
