RIYADH: The German and French embassies in Riyadh inaugurated yesterday a joint visa application center downtown to facilitate the visa applicants to get their visas processed in an easier manner than before.
German Ambassador Volkmar Wenzel and French Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot jointly opened the new center, located on the intersection of King Fahd and Al-Washem roads, in the presence of a large gathering.
VFS Global is the outsourced partner appointed by the two embassies.
Describing it as a French-German initiative, Besancenot said relations between the two countries is based on solid understanding and this joint operation will make matters easier for the applicants. He added that the location of the visa center would also reduce the time spent traveling to Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter.
The French Embassy in Riyadh issues around 18,000 visas and its consulate in Jeddah 38,000 visas annually.
Ambassador Wenzel said his mission in Riyadh issues around 11,000 visas and there has been a 30 percent growth yearly in the number.
“Very soon arrangements will be made to issue visas in the German Consulate in Jeddah,” the envoy.
Mahesh Anchan, vice president of VFS Global, said the center charges a fee of SR85 from the visa applicants.
“Besides the regular visa counter, we have a separate section for families and a VIP section to cater to those who are in need of express services,” said Anchan.
The center is open from 9 a.m. and passport collection will be between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday.
