June 16, 19.02 PM IST || Pocket News Alert
Travellers to the Czech Republic can now apply for visas from Bengaluru, centres in more cities to be launched soon
Photo Caption: HE Mr Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India inaugurates Czech Republic Visa Application Centre in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Bengaluru: To serve the needs of the growing number of Indian visitors to the Czech Republic, VFS Global has launched the Czech Republic Visa Application Centre in Bengaluru. With the opening of this centre, applicants no longer have to travel to Mumbai or New Delhi to apply for Schengen visas if the main country of their travel to Europe is the Czech Republic, and can submit applications in Bengaluru itself.
Bengaluru is the third city in India where VFS Global has set up a visa application centre for the Embassy of the Czech Republic, enabling greater accessibility to visa application facilities for leisure, MICE, and business travelers.
In the coming months, VFS Global will launch more such centres for the Czech Republic - namely in Chennai, Hyderabad and also in Kolkata, in a phase-wise manner.
The newly inaugurated centre in Bengaluru is centrally located at Unit No. 302 & 303, Level 3, Second Floor, Prestige Atrium, No. 1 Central Street, Bengaluru - 560001.
VFS Global first commenced visa services for the Czech Republic in the Indian metropolises of Mumbai and New Delhi, in September 2015. The setting up of a third centre in less than a year since commencement of services for the client government in India signifies the company's strengthening association with the Embassy of the Czech Republic.
Addressing the media during the inauguration of the centre in Bengaluru, HE Mr Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India, said: "It is my honor and privilege to inaugurate officially the third Visa Application Center of the Czech Republic in India. This step is yet another example of the importance the Czech Republic attaches to the case of expanding people-to-people contacts between our two great nations. It also testifies the Czech authorities’ readiness to take appropriate measures to facilitate sustainable tourism exchanges. I am confident that citizens of Bengaluru and surrounding cities and areas will appreciate the launch of the center as it will save their time and resources. For those, who live in other parts of India I have a good news. The center in Bengaluru is not the last one. Very soon we will be introducing similar centers elsewhere."
Speaking about the launch, Mr Vinay Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global, said: "We are pleased to launch visa services for the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bengaluru. The new centre will serve the ever-increasing volumes of visa applications for the Schengen country, and illustrates the emerging popularity of the Czech Republic as a tourist destination. This centre brings the visa application services closer to home for applicants in Bengaluru and surrounding cities, and streamlines the process for them."
The key features of the centre include:
· Convenient and centrally-accessed location
· Well-trained staff with local language capability to handle queries and applications
· Automated queue governance for smooth flow of applicants
· Dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements,
checklist and applicable fees
· 100% secure handling of passports, documents and Personal Information
· Visa status update via website or SMS alerts
· Doorstep delivery of passports
Czech Republic Visa Application Centre
Address: Unit No.-302 & 303, Level-3, Second Floor, Prestige Atrium, No. 1 Central Street, Bengaluru - 560001.
Helpline: 022-67866023 Email: Info.Czechindia@vfshelpline.com
Website: http://www.vfsglobal.com/CzechRepublic/India
Business hours: 0800 hrs 1500 hrs (Monday to Friday)
Submission Timings: 0800 - 1200 & 1300 - 1500 (except holidays as declared by the Embassy)
Document Collection: 1100 - 1200 & 1300 - 1500 (except holidays as declared by the Embassy)
*VFS Global will be responsible only for accepting applications on behalf of client missions. All applications submitted will continue to be assessed and processed by the respective consulates and embassies. Timelines for turnaround of visas are as per the discretion of the authorities.
About VFS Global
VFS Global is the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. With 2151 application centres, operations in 124 countries across five continents and over 120 million applications processed as on 30 April 2016, VFS Global serves the interests of 50 client governments. VFS Global’s worldwide operations are certified ISO 9001:2008 for Quality Management System, ISO 27001:2013 for Information Security Management System and ISO 14001:2004 for Environmental Management System. For more information, please visit www.vfsglobal.com