Government of Austria and VFS Global Launch Austria Visa Application Centre in Erbil, Iraq

In a move aimed at providing customer-oriented services to applicants for their visa application process. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) January 15, 2014 - In a move aimed at providing customer-oriented services to applicants for their visa application process, The Embassy of Austria in Jordan in partnership with VFS Global, world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions and governments, has set up a new Austrian Visa Application Centre in Erbil. The centre will also accept visa applications for Slovenia as per the agreement between the governments of Austria and Slovenia. The new Visa Application Centre (VAC) is aimed at catering to the growing demands of Europe bound travellers in the region, offering new services, and facilities for visa applicants. Residents of Iraq can now apply for their visas to Austria at VFS Global's convenient and comfortable Visa Application Centre and expect professional services at all times.

The new centre was inaugurated Mr Karl-August LUX, Senior Expert for Visa Matters - Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Zubin Karkaria, Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group. VFS Global will be responsible for accepting visa applications for Austria, from applicants residing in Erbil and other parts of Iraq.

All applications will continue to be assessed and processed by Austrian Embassy in Jordan. The centre will also accept applications for Slovenia which is represented by the Austrian Embassy.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr LUX said, "Austria is happy to continue its cooperation with VFS Global which proved to be a reliable partner in the visa process of Austria for a long time. VFS Global and the Austrian Embassy in Amman can now provide a better service to the applicants in the region. Furthermore, we are proud to continue our cooperation with Slovenia. This common visa application centre shows that European cooperation and cooperation with external partners like VFS Global go perfectly together."

In the words of Mr Karkaria, "VFS Global is honoured to serve the Austrian Government in Iraq. We are committed to providing excellent visa application services across the globe and enhancing the overall visa application experience for applicants. We assure applicants from Iraq the highest levels of service and a seamless, comfortable and convenient visa application process."

The key features of the new centre are:

- Conveniently located and easily accessible state-of-the art Visa Application Centre
- Longer operating hours allowing applicants to visit at a time of their convenience
- Professional and responsive staff dedicated to handle visa queries and applications
- Automated queue governance for smooth flow of applicants, providing better crowd management
- Dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements and check-list, applicable fees and application status
- Dedicated call centre and email support to answer queries and status of application
- 100% secure handling of passports, documents and personal information
- In-VAC feedback kiosks and forms, and online feedback services for applicants to share their recommendations and feedback about the services
- Tracking of application status and SMS alerts for visa status update on mobile phones

The centre at Ebril will be open for business from 08:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs from Sunday to Thursday, keeping in mind the convenience of the applicants.

For more information about Austria visas, please visit www.vfsglobal.com/Austria/Iraq-Erbil/

Austria Visa Application Centre
CONTACT DETAILS AND TIMINGS
Helpline: + 964 751 012 6287 | Email: Info.Auir ( @ ) vfshelpline dot com
Website: http://www.vfsglobal.com/Austria/Iraq-Erbil/%20
Address: Ground Floor, Ster Tower, Gulan Street, Close to Turkish Consulate
Business Hours: 09:00 - 16:00 hrs | Sunday - Thursday (except declared holidays)

*VFS Global will be responsible only for acceptance of applications and return delivery of passports and documents. All applications will continue to be assessed and processed by respective Embassy of Austria in Jordan. Timelines for turnaround of visas are as per the discretion of the authorities.

About VFS Global
VFS Global is the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for government and diplomatic missions worldwide. With 1140 Visa Application Centres (VACs) located in 107 countries across five continents as at 30 November 2013, VFS Global serves the interests of the 45 client governments. VFS Global's worldwide operations are certified ISO 9001:2008 for Quality Management System, ISO 27001:2005 for Information Security Management System and ISO 14001:2004 for Environmental Management System. The company has successfully processed over 72 million applications since its inception in 2001. For more information, please visit www.vfsglobal.com

For media contact:

Hina Bakht
Vice President
MPJ (Marketing Pro-Junction)
Mob: +971 50 6975146
Email: h.bakht ( @ ) mpj-pr dot com
http://www.mpj-pr.com

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