AL-KHOBAR —VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions and governments, has extended its visa application services for France with the opening on Sunday of the France Visa Application Center in Al-Khobar, the second such facility in the Kingdom after Riyadh.



Arnaud Montebourg, French Minister of Industry, inaugurated the new center, located at Al-Katheery Center in Al-Rakaa area of Al-Khobar.



Catering to the growing demand from France-bound travellers in the region, this new initiative was aimed at offering new services, facilities and benefits to visa applicants and boost tourism, trade and investments and bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and France, according to a press statement released by the French Embassy in Riyadh.



Speaking on the occasion, Montebourg said: “The opening of this VFS Global office in Al-Khobar will simplify the procedures for the growing number of Saudi citizens traveling to France.



“We are the third investor in the Kingdom and we work very closely with Saudi authorities and companies to strengthen our strategic partnership and to develop cooperation in news sectors such as nuclear and solar energies, energy efficiency, health and agrofood industries.



“These new cooperation opportunities will foster exchanges between our two countries, with not only more Saudi businessmen but also more Saudi tourists and students traveling to France. Therefore I am very happy that they can now get their visa very conveniently here in Al-Khobar.”.



In addition to visa processing, France-bound travelers from the region can benefit from a host of facilities offered by the VFS Global-operated Schengen Visa Application Center (SVAC), said the press statement. — SG