November 10, 2018 TnH Global

VFS Global records 34% increase in France visa applications from Puducherry in the first nine months of 2018

New state-of-the-art Joint Visa Application Centre for 13 Schengen countries, including France, launched in the city

Witnessing a rising demand for visa services from the city of Puducherry, VFS Global has relocated its Joint Visa Application Centre for 13 Schengen countries, to a new, centrally located facility.

The centre was inaugurated on 2 November 2018 by Ms. Catherine Suard, Consule Générale à Pondichéry et Chennai, Consulat General De France, in a formal ceremony.

France has traditionally been a popular destination for visitors from the coastal city, with an average year on year growth of over 30 per cent recorded. Between January and September 2018, VFS Global has already received 34 per cent more applications for France when compared to the same period in 2017.

Growth in demand for France visas from Puducherry is the third highest in South India, with Kochi recording a 51 per cent increase, and Chennai notching a 39 per cent increase in applications from January to September 2018.

Puducherry has also seen an impressive rise in visa applications to the other destinations, recording a whopping 57 per cent growth in total application numbers during the period.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ms. Catherine Suard, Consule Générale à Pondichéry et Chennai, Consulat General De France, said, “Given the steady rise in visa applications to Europe and France in particular, with respect to business, touristic and educational purposes, I am very happy to be here at the inauguration of this new VFS Global Joint Visa Application Centre, which is more centrally located and easily accessible to the general public of Puducherry.”

Commenting on the launch of the visa centre, Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group Chief Operating Officer – Middle East, South Asia and China, VFS Global, said, “Puducherry has historically held deep ties with France, seeing a continuous strong demand for visa services to the European destination. The new facility has been launched with an aim to even better cater to our applicants’ needs and comfort, so we are able to continue providing exemplary services to the residents.”

The centre will offer the residents of Puducherry best-in-class visa services for France and the other Schengen countries served in the Joint Visa Application Centre, as well as a range of additional services to ensure a smooth and convenient visa application experience, including SMS updates, courier return service, photo booth and photocopy facilities, and video conferencing amenities.

VFS Global has been providing France visa services globally since 2004 and commenced this partnership with the Consulate General of France in India with a centre in Mumbai. The organisation currently accepts France visa applications in 15 cities across India.

Key features of the centre include:

Convenient and central location
Skilled staff well-versed with the local language to handle applications and queries
Extended operating hours enabling visitors to submit applications at their time of convenience
Dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, checklist, applicable fees, visa status update
100% secure handling of passports, documents and personal information
Doorstep delivery of passports