Czech Republic launches Visa Application Centre
The Czech Republic opened its visa outsourcing centre in Bahrain yesterday.
Assistant Undersecretary for GCC and Western Countries Affairs Dr Dhafer Ahmed Alumran and Head of Consular Section Czech Republic Embassy Riyadh Saudi Arabia Dana Eltomova cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.
Speaking to DT News on the sidelines, Dana Eltomova said that the Czech Republic was starting visa outsourcing in the whole Gulf region and the Middle East.
“So far, we have opened two visa application centres in Saudi Arabia, two in the UAE, one in Kuwait and now we are opening this one in Bahrain and in two weeks will be opening in Muscat, Oman,” she explains.
“Our international policy focus on the region is to promote and enhance business, tourism and student exchange etc.,” she adds.
She said that the opening of the visa section here in Bahrain where the citizens and residents were facing a lot of difficulties to apply for the Czech visa, would make it easier for them and would enhance the bilateral relations and mutual exchange of students and tourist visas.
The Czech Republic is a main attraction for the Gulf as people go there for medical treatment, for rehabilitation and fertility treatment etc. Besides that, many people go there to see the beauty of the country. “We have many historical places where people like to go. We have 12 Unesco heritage sites as well,” she says.
Right now, this centre will serve for the outsourcing of Schengen short-term visa for 90 days. Those who need to have a long-term business visa would have to apply with the Embassy of the Czech Republic. Honorary consulate is working here in Bahrain and there is also a mobile device.
Dr Dhafer Alumran asked them to reduce the number of days required for visa processing from 15 to 3 days for urgent cases as patients who wanted to go there for treatment cannot wait for two weeks.
Yummi Talwar, Regional Head Middle East VFS Global, said that they were committed to streamlining the visa application process for travellers and providing the best in class services for visitors to their centres.
“We are privileged to partner with the Embassy of Czech Republic in Bahrain and are confident our services will enhance the overall experience for applicants,” she says.
VFS Global will provide the outsourcing services to the Czech Republic in Bahrain and anyone wishing to apply for the visa can visit the VFS Global’s centre in diplomatic area. .
Photo Caption: Dana Eltomova, along with Dr Dhafer Ahmed Alumran and other officials, cuts the ribbon to mark the launching of the centre
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