A permanent Visa Facilitation Services Centre has opened in Maldives, which provides visa facilitation services to Maldivians who wish to travel to Germany and Czech Republic.
The centre was inaugurated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, Ambassador of Germany Jorne Rohde and Ambassador of Czech Republic Milan Hovorka. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Foreign Minister Shahid thanked the government of Germany and especially Ambassador Rohde for taking the initiative to establish the visa centre in Maldives.
The minister also thanked the government of Czech Republic for their support towards the initiative, which reflected the growing ties of friendship and cooperation between the countries. He added through the centre Maldivians can now apply for visas to travel to Germany and Czech Republic while residing in Maldives.
Furthermore, minister noted such visa facilitation services are part of the broader objectives in providing quality consular services to Maldivians. He expressed confidence that more European countries would follow Germany and Czech Republic and join with VFS in the close future.
Ambassador Rohde and Ambassador Hovorka also expressed confidence the initiative would further strengthen the increased tourism and trade between Maldives and their respective countries.
The VFS Centre would initially cater to those travelling to Germany and Czech Republic as the main destination. The establishment of the VFS Centre in Maldives aims to bring an end to the time-consuming and costly process for Maldivians applying for Schengen visa through embassies based in Colombo or New Delhi.
Maldives has signed visa waiver agreements with the UAE, Russia, Morocco and Thailand last year, and expanded its visa arrangements with India and Sri Lanka.