RIYADH — The Embassy of Ukraine on Wednesday announced the opening of two visa application centres in Saudi Arabia – in Riyadh and Jeddah – to efficiently serve travellers from the Kingdom to Ukraine in partnership with VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions worldwide.

In a joint statement, VFS Global and the Embassy said that both the centers have started accepting visa application submissions for processing both short-term and long-term visas to Ukraine.

Opening the visa application centre, Head of Consular Section of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Yurii Tereschenko said: “The new visa application centres have been opened in the light of increasing number of travellers to Ukraine from Saudi Arabia. The centers will considerably ease the visa application process providing streamlined service to expatriates from the Kingdom wishing to travel to Ukraine for both tourism and business purposes.”

The inauguration of the centre was done in the presence of Serhii Pushkarsky, Deputy Head of Mission and Bohdan Kostiuk, Consular Assistant of the Embassy of Ukraine.

The VFS Global Ukraine visa application centre in Riyadh is located on the Basement level, 2591, Al Hada District, besides the Courtyard Marriot Hotel. In Jeddah, the centre is located at the Ground Floor of Al Etimad Visa Centre, TasHeel Commercial Plaza on Suwaid Bin Sakher Street, off Jundub Bin Kaab Street (Off Prince Sultan Street), Al Mohammadiya District 1.

Visa applicants to Ukraine from the Kingdom can direct their queries and appointment requests to the help line number 920002114. Details of visa application procedure can also be accessed at info.ukraineksavfshelpline.com

The opening of the visa application centers follows the VFS Global mandate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Under the terms of the contract, VFS Global is entrusted with the opening of 10 visa application centres in eight countries across the Middle East, Levant region and South Asia.

Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO for Middle East, South Asia & China, VFS Global, said: “We are confident that the opening of the Ukraine visa application centre in Saudi Arabia will help catalyze travel to the East European country from the Kingdom. Increasingly, Ukraine is a sought after destination for expatriate tourists as well as the business fraternity of Saudi Arabia and we are committed to providing them with excellent and seamless service.”

The visa application centre is managed by professionals who are trained to provide secure and time-efficient processing of entry permit requirements in a friendly ambience. Applicants can also opt for the comfort of a Premium Lounge for more personalized service.

Some of the key features of the centre include convenience in terms of location, automated queue governance for smooth flow of applicants and a dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, check-list and applicable fees. Apart from these, VFS Global staff is well trained in secure handling of passports, documents and personal information. Door-step delivery of passport is yet another service VFS Global offers. — SG