Dubai: Residents in the UAE can now apply for visas to Finland at the new Finland Visa Application Centres launched in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The centres, were launched by the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi, on November 16. Applicants can visit the new centres, operated by VFS Global, to submit visa applications and enrol for biometrics.
The Abu Dhabi centre is centrally located at Shining Tower on Mubarak Bin Mohammad Street, while the centre in Dubai is located at the Wafi Mall.
Services at the new centres are designed to facilitate quicker and more streamlined visa application submission processes. For added convenience to applicants, the centres will also provide travellers to Finland a range of optional services ranging from Premium Lounge services to doorstep delivery of their processed passports through courier.
“It is our firm belief that our customers will welcome the improvements in customer service and visa handling, which is our aim together with VFS Global. As the holiday season and the end of the year festivities approach it is our pleasure to welcome tourists and other travellers to Finland. I know that Santa Clause and his elves are getting ready for the season — and so are we,” said Riitta Swan, Ambassador of Finland to the UAE.
The new centres include mobile biometrics service to collect applicant’s biometrics and visa application forms from a location of their choice, premium lounge for personalised and comfortable service, Prime Time service providing applicants with the option to apply outside of regular business hours and automated queue management system for quicker submission processes.
“VFS Global is honoured and privileged to extend services for the Embassy of Finland in the Middle East. While VFS Global has served the Government of Finland since 2010 through Visa Application Centres worldwide, these two centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the first such launched in the Middle East region for this esteemed client government,” said Vinay Malhotra, COO — Middle East & South Asia, VFS Global.
In the Middle East, VFS Global currently provides visa application processing services on behalf of 33 client governments, since it commenced its first operations in the UAE in 2004. For the Government of Finland, VFS Global provides visa application processing services in 14 countries.
Finland Visa Application Centres:
Abu Dhabi: Joint Visa Application Centre, Shining Tower, Level 25, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, Adjacent to Khalidyah Mall, Abu Dhabi — 30023
Dubai: WAFI Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair, Dubai — 114100
Helpline: +971-4-2055907
Website: www.vfsglobal.com/finland/uae Email: info.FinlandUAE@vfshelpline.com
Business hours: 0900 hrs to 1700 hrs (Sunday to Thursday)
Submission timings: 0900 hrs to 1500 hrs | (Sunday to Thursday) (except holidays as declared by the Embassy/Consulate)
Passport collection: 1500 hrs to 1700 hrs | (Sunday to Thursday) (except holidays as declared by the Embassy/Consulate)
