VFS Global opens Hungary Visa Application Centres in three cities across Saudi Arabia

Residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can now apply for visas to Hungary at Visa Application Centres launched for the Embassy of Hungary in three cities. Applicants can visit the VFS Global centres located in Al-Khobar, Jeddah and Riyadh to submit visa applications and enrol for biometrics. 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the third country in the Middle East, after Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, from where applicants can apply for a visa to Hungary. Another centre in Bahrain is expected to be launched in the coming months. 

The three centres are centrally located in the main business districts of Al-Khobar, Jeddah and Riyadh. Services at all three locations will commence from 25 February 2016. 

The new centres cater to the growing needs of outbound travellers from the country. With Hungary emerging as a popular travel destination, applicants will find the centre easily accessible and convenient. The centres will make it easier for customers planning a European holiday or business trip, as visa application centres for several other missions, including many Schengen member states, are located in the same premises. 

Since commencing visa processing operations in Saudi Arabia in 2005, VFS Global serves 19 client governments in the country. VFS Global has been serving the Government of Hungary since 2010, and currently serves the client in 8 countries from 33 visa application centres globally.

Speaking about the opening of the centres, HE Dr Laszlo Szabo, Deputy Minister of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said, “We are proud of the fast-growing number of foreign citizens visiting our country every year and deeply believe that the excellent offers of our tour operators, hotels, restaurants and the wide choice of attractions will encourage more and more Saudis to visit Hungary. I can assure you that Hungary does not only wholeheartedly welcome the Saudi visitors but also offers them a very safe, secure and stable environment. We are pleased by the very positive feedback of Saudi citizens who have recently travelled to Hungary and I hope that they will encourage their relatives and friends as well to visit us soon. The opening of the Visa Centers in the three most influential regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a very important step in this direction. I am confident that the visa centers will help us achieve our goal to make the visa procedure even faster and smoother and will also significantly contribute to the development of the co-operation between Hungary and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of tourism and businesses.”  

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Srinarayan Sankaran, COO – Middle East, VFS Global, said, “It is an honour for us to extend visa services across three cities for the Government of Hungary to applicants in Saudi Arabia. These centres will help us achieve our common goal of making the visa procedure fast and smooth, and will significantly contribute to the advancement of travel between Hungary and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are confident that our centres will be successful in providing accessible and world-class, value-added services to our applicants.”

The key features of the centre include: 

• Convenient and centrally-accessed location
• Professional staff with local language capability to handle queries and applications
• Well-appointed centre for enhanced comfort of applicants
• Automated queue governance for smooth flow of applicants 
• Dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, check-list and applicable fees 
• 100% secure handling of passports, documents and personal information
• Door-step delivery of passports
• Premium Lounge for personalised and comfortable service