A Permanent VFS Visa Application Centre has opened in capital Male on Monday.
The Visa Application Centre provides visa facilitation services to Maldivians who wish to travel to Germany and Czech Republic. The Centre was inaugurated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Jörn Rohde and Ambassador of Czech Republic, Milan Hovorka.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Shahid thanked the Government of Germany and especially Ambassador Rohde for taking the initiative to establish the Visa Centre in the Maldives. The Minister also thanked the Government of Czech Republic for their support towards the initiative, which the Minister noted, reflected the growing ties of friendship and cooperation between the countries.
Both Ambassador Rohde and Ambassador Hovorka also expressed confidence that this initiative would further strengthen the increased tourism and trade between Maldives and their respective countries.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the VFS Centre would initially cater to those travelling to Germany and Czech Republic as the main destination. Minister Shahid however expressed confidence that more European countries would follow Germany and Czech Republic and join with VFS in the near future.
The establishment of the VFS Centre in the Maldives aims to bring an end to the time-consuming and costly process for Maldivians applying for Schengen visa through embassies based in Colombo or New Delhi, said the Foreign Ministry. Such Visa facilitation services are part of the Government’s broader objectives in providing quality consular services for Maldivians, the Foreign Ministry added.
The Maldives has signed visa waiver Agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Morocco and Thailand last year, and expanded its visa arrangements with the neighbouring countries of India and Sri Lanka.
