Visa application services for travellers to the Netherlands now available in 7 countries across the Middle East

Kuwait City, April 5, 2016:  Residents of Kuwait can now apply for visas to the Netherlands at a new Visa Application Centre launched by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kuwait City. Applicants can visit the VFS Global centre to submit visa applications and enrol for biometrics in a centrally-located and comfortable environment. 

Kuwait is the seventh country in the Middle East, from where applicants can apply for a visa to the Netherlands. The centre is located at 1st Floor, Albanwan Bldg, Ali Alsalem Street, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Services at this location commenced from 04 April 2016. 

The Netherlands joins 8 other Schengen client governments offering visa services at the same centre, making it more convenient for travellers planning multiple business or leisure trips abroad to apply at a single location. 

VFS Global serves a total of 13 client governments in Kuwait, and has operated visa processing services in the country since 2005. The company has partnered with the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 2006, and serves the client in 24 countries from 54 visa application centres globally.

Speaking about the launch, HE Mr Frans Potuyt, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the State of Kuwait, said, “As the number of visa applications has risen sharply over the last couple of years, our embassy is not able to extend the necessary services anymore to the many Kuwaiti's and others, who would like to travel to the Netherlands. Of course we will miss the direct pleasant contacts with all these travellers, but we are confident that VFS and its professional staff will do everything to secure a swift application procedure. I hope that we could welcome even more friends from Kuwait in our beautiful country”. 

Also present at the launch, Mr Srinarayan Sankaran, COO – Middle East, VFS Global, said, “Our long-standing partnership with our esteemed client government, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is reflective of the trust they have bestowed on us through this time-honoured and successful relationship. We are privileged to further extend our services in Kuwait to them and remain committed to providing comprehensive end-to-end visa services for 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