Abu Dhabi, Dubai: Getting a visa to travel to Malaysia is now more convenient as the Malaysian missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have launched two new One-Stop Centres (OSC) to provide these services.

The centres, both managed by VFS Global in partnership with S5 Systems and Megan Gayabina, are conveniently located in the main commercial districts of both emirates — at Shining Tower in Abu Dhabi and Wafi Mall in Dubai.

The Malaysian Consulate in Dubai issued 13,758 visas in 2016.

Malaysian Consul-General Dato’ Yubazlan Bin Haji Yousuf inaugurated the centre in Dubai on Monday along with Vinay Malhotra, COO – Middle East and South Asia, VFS Global, and other senior officials.

Bin Haji Yousuf said the centre will facilitate quicker and more streamlined visa application submission processes.

“Well-coordinated models such as the OSC seeks to optimise a multi-dimensional approach and ensure consistency in the application to provide the best, streamlined and efficient visa service. The OSC also flexed its visa submission time to allow more applications to be submitted as part of the new customer-friendly initiative,” Bin Haji Yousuf said.

The centres will provide services for extended working hours from 9am to 5pm as compared to the previous process to ensure an enhanced customer experience.

Citizens of 29 countries are required to obtain a visa before entering Malaysia, including Afghanistan, China, India, Nepal among others. Commonwealth countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka and others also require visas.

Emiratis and other GCC nationals, British nationals, and those from Southeast Asia may travel to Malaysia without a visa if staying for less than a month.

Malhotra said with the growth in trade and tourism between Malaysia and the UAE, VFS Global is confident that the new centres will be able to meet the rising volumes of applicants aspiring to travel to Malaysia.

The One-Stop Centres for Malaysia visas include services such as automated queue management system for quicker submission processes, easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, checklist, applicable fees and visa status updates, dedicated helpline support to answer queries, and support for documentary needs.

One Stop Centre – Malaysia Visa

Dubai address: Wafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair

Abu Dhabi address: Shining Tower, Level 25, Mubarak Bin Mohammad Street

Helpline: +971 4 294 6905

Website: www.malaysiavisa-osc.com.my

Business hours: 9am to 5pm (Sunday to Thursday)

Submission timings: 9am-1pm (Sunday to Thursday, except holidays as declared by the embassy/consulate)

Passport collection: 12pm-5pm (Sunday to Thursday, except holidays as declared by the embassy/consulate)