Getting entry visas for many countries in Europe, Asia and Australia has become speedy, thanks to hassle-free procedures being adopted by a professional agency located outside the Diplomatic Quarters.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Paul Vijayakumar, chief operating officer of VFS Global (Africa and Middle East), said prior to the introduction of VFS Global’s services, applicants were required to visit the diplomatic missions’ offices to submit and collect their visa applications.
“Today, we are privileged to be the trusted partners for 11 governments, including Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, India, Italy, Malta, Singapore, Spain and the UK. We are operating in three major cities of the Kingdom, jointly with our local partner Al Etimad Modern Business Solutions Co. (ETIMAD), conveniently located and easily accessible state-of-the-art Visa Application Centers.
He said approximately 450,000 visa applications and 120,000 biometric enrolments in Saudi Arabia are made annually.
Outlining how the business of visa application process outsourcing came about for VFS Global in Saudi Arabia, he said VFS Global was established in 2001 as an outsourcing partner of diplomatic missions and consular sections to manage all administrative and non-judgmental tasks related to the lifecycle of a visa application process.
“In May 2005, we were appointed by the Government of Australia for our first operations in Saudi Arabia with the opening of three Australia Visa Application Centers in Alkhobar, Jeddah and Riyadh,” he said.
Talking on the earlier process for applying visas for Saudi nationals and how it differs now with introduction of VFS Global’s outsourced services, he said earlier, applicants were required to visit the diplomatic missions’ offices to submit and collect their visa applications.
“Our professional services are aimed at providing a high level, customer-oriented services to visa applicants to make the visa application process faster and easier, offering maximum convenience at all times,” he observed.
He continued: Quality and continuous improvement in processes, as well as security – both physical and data, are also our core focus areas when serving applicants at VFS Global. Hence, applicants are assured of quality service and safe, secure handling of their applications at our visa application centers.
VFS Global brings with its professional services in terms of accessibility, convenience and quicker processing/ turn-around-time.
“When availing of our services, applicants can benefit from a host of facilities and additional services such as conveniently located and easily accessible state-of-the art Visa Application Centers, longer operating hours which allows applicants to visit at a time of their convenience, professional staff dedicated to handling visa queries and applications,” he added.
Other benefits are premium lounge facilities for personalized and faster application process, separate waiting lounge for male and female applicants, dedicated website for easy access to information, including visa types, requirements and check-list, biometrics, applicable fees and application status.
“We have dedicated call centers and e-mail support to answer queries and status of application. They are in addition to online appointment scheduling, payment and tracking of application status. We send SMS alerts for visa status update on mobile phones and provide door-to-door delivery of passports with 100 percent secure handling of passports, documents and personal information.
“Our centers are equipped with state-of-the-art security systems and highest levels of security practices, including CCTV cameras installed at all strategic locations, access controls at all entry and exit points, smoke detectors and fire alarms. Security guards are also deployed for constant vigilance at all public frequented areas of our premises.
To meet the demands of our clients, we have embedded best-value practices in our operations. From the distribution of visa application forms to returning processed applications, and related services, VFS Global follows a series of highly advanced, precise and streamlined processes to ensure applicants' and our clients' absolute security and confidentiality.
Our offices and operations across the world are certified with ISO 9001:2008 for Quality Management System and ISO 27001:2005 for Information Security Management System by TUV SUD, one of the world’s leading external and independent certification bodies.
Saudi nationals and expatriates in the country can apply for their visas at VFS Global’s convenient and comfortable Visa Application Centers and expect secured, quality and professional services at all times.
VFS speeds up process for acquisition of entry visas
VFS speeds up process for acquisition of entry visas
Saudi House kicks off Davos with push on Vision 2030, AI platform and ‘humanizing’ tourism
- Saudi ministers dominate pre-summit spotlight at Saudi pavilion, touting Vision 2030’s next phase and human capital as key to global edge
- Ministry of Economy and Planning announced the SUSTAIN Platform which aims to accelerate AI-enabled, cross-sector collaboration for sustainable development
DAVOS: For regulars at the World Economic Forum, Monday in Davos is usually a chance to ease into the week, a time to reconnect, plan meetings and prepare for the intense schedule ahead.
This year, Saudi Arabia moved quickly to fill that lull, taking center stage with a packed program of panels ahead of Tuesday’s official opening.
At the Saudi House — the Kingdom’s official pavilion on the Promenade, returning after its debut as a standalone venue at the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting — Saudi ministers and global executives set out how the Kingdom sees the next phase of its transformation.
Established by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the venue is pitched as a platform for international thought leaders to tackle the challenges, opportunities and solutions shaping the global economy.
Opening a session on the Kingdom’s role at this year’s Forum and the next phase of Vision 2030 — now in its 10th year and roughly two-thirds complete — Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, said human capital “is the actual driver if you want a competitive, modern economy.”
She described one of the biggest achievements of the past decade as the emergence of a highly qualified cohort of young Saudis who could work anywhere in the world but “choose to come home, choose to build at home and choose to deliver at home,” calling this “the biggest symbol of the success of Vision 2030.”
Who can give you optimum access to opportunities while addressing risks? I contend that Saudi Arabia has been able to provide that formula.
Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi minister of investment
On the same panel, Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan said this success is rooted in a “behavioral change” that has strengthened the Kingdom’s credibility with both international partners and its own citizens.
“Credibility comes from being very pragmatic, making sure that you maintain your fiscal policy discipline, but at the same time refocus your resources where it matters,” he said, warning that “markets will call your bluff if you’re not serious.”
The Saudi House, a cross-ministerial initiative led by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, is intended to underscore the Kingdom’s “commitment to global cooperation” by offering “a platform where visionary ideas are shared and shaped,” while showcasing opportunities and lessons from its “unprecedented national transformation.”
Echoing earlier comments to Arab News, Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Alibrahim said the Kingdom’s role as an anchor of stability has helped unlock its potential, stressing that while the objective is to decouple from reliance on a single commodity, “2030 is not the finishing line.”
Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi minister of investment, said Saudi Arabia has been able to enable access to opportunities while addressing major risks, arguing that few countries can match the Kingdom’s overall mix.
“No country has all of those to 100 percent,” he said. “But who can give you the mix that gives you optimum access to opportunities while addressing all of those risks?
“I contend that Saudi Arabia has been able to provide that formula and the proof is in the pudding,” noting that local investment has doubled in recent years to reach levels comparable with India and China.
While societal transformation dominated the morning discussions, the afternoon turned to technology, tourism, sport and culture, four strategic sectors expected to spearhead Vision 2030’s next phase.
The Ministry of Economy and Planning used the day to announce the SUSTAIN Platform, due to launch in 2026, which aims to accelerate AI-enabled, cross-sector collaboration for sustainable development.
The ministry said SUSTAIN will translate the Kingdom’s public and private-sector coordination mandate into a practical national tool to help government entities, businesses, investors, academia and civil society identify credible partners, form trusted coalitions and move initiatives “from planning to implementation more efficiently,” addressing a global challenge where fragmented partnerships often slow delivery and blunt impact.
“We are in a moment in time where technology may well impact the face of humanity,” said Dina Powell McCormick, recently appointed president and vice chairman of Meta, welcoming the Kingdom’s “desire” to partner with technology companies and its embrace of innovation.
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Alkhateeb, discussing how technology is being deployed in his sector, underlined that “in travel and tourism, people are very important. We learn about other people’s culture through interacting with people. We digitalize the unnecessary and humanize the necessary.”
He added that while technological transformation is a priority, “we don’t want to replace this big workforce with technology. I think we need to protect them in Saudi Arabia, where we’re being a model. I’m an advocate of keeping the people.”
Throughout the week, Saudi House will host more than 20 sessions, including over 10 accredited by the WEF, across six themes: Bold Vision, Insights for Impact, People and Human Capability, Quality of Life, Investment and Collaboration, and Welcoming the World.
The pavilion will also launch “NextOn,” a new series of influential and educational talks featuring leading global voices.
