UAE opens new consular, visa centre in New Delhi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) opened a centre for consular services and visa-issuance, the sixth outside the UAE, in New Delhi.

It would process visa applications and further facilitate and speed up the entry of Indian citizens and residents of the sub-continent to the UAE via e-gates at the country's points of entry.

The consular section and the visa centre are aimed at enhancing consular co-operation between the UAE and India, delivering better customer service, and streamlining the entry of Indian workers, said Under-Secretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Mohammed Mer Al Raisi, while inaugurating the services in the presence of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung, Assistant Under-Secretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, UAE Ambassador to India Dr. Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Banna, Director of the Consular Section in New Delhi Rehab Al Mansouri, and a number of senior Indian officials.

Thanking the Indian government for its constructive efforts in promoting bilateral relations with the UAE, the official said ties with India are witnessing significant progress in several spheres.

The new facilities were an important achievement for improving bilateral relations between the two countries, Jung noted.

The system used at the centre is one the most efficient in the world and with the global standards it upholds, it will shorten the time required for processing visa applications, he said while thanking the UAE for the positive initiative.

Indians willing to apply for a visa to work in the UAE can present their documents, biometrics, and results of medical checks issued by accredited medical facilities.

The centre will verify the applicant's original passports, biometrics including Iris scans and face prints, medical fitness certificates issued by 10 centres in New Delhi that are accredited by the GCC Approved Medical Centres Association, or GAMCA, proving that the applicant is free from transmittable diseases.

The procedures will save the costs of recruitment, quarantine and deportation, and improve customer service, as they are aimed at providing excellent consular services fulfilling internationally recognised standards as well as the UAE Cabinet’s seven-star service standards.

Through the new centre, the UAE foreign ministry provides all related administrative services in co-operation with the Ministry of Interior using a fully integrated electronic system within an advanced framework of security controls aimed at achieving maximum protection for visa and entry procedures.

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