Residents of the United Arab Emirates can now apply for visas to Finland at the new Finland Visa Application Centres launched in Abu Dhabi and Dubai by the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi, on 16 November 2017. Applicants can visit the new centres, operated by VFS Global, to submit visa applications and enrol for biometrics.

The Abu Dhabi centre, centrally located at Shining Tower on Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, was inaugurated by H.E. Ms. Riitta Swan, Ambassador of Finland to the United Arab Emirates on 16 November 2017. The centre in Dubai is located at the Wafi Mall.

Services at the new centres are designed to facilitate quicker and more streamlined visa application submission processes. For added convenience to applicants, the centres will also provide travellers to Finland a range of optional services ranging from Premium Lounge services to doorstep courier return-delivery of their processed passports.

Commenting on the launches, H.E. Ms. Riitta Swan, Ambassador of Finland to the United Arab Emirates, said, “The Embassy of Finland is very happy to launch the outsourcing of visa applications with VFS Global today. It is our firm belief that our customers will welcome the improvements in customer service and visa handling, which is our aim together with VFS Global.  As the holiday season and the end of the year festivities approach it is our pleasure to welcome tourists and other travellers to Finland.  I know that Santa Clause and his elves are getting ready for the season -  and so are we!”.

Mr. Vinay Malhotra, COO – Middle East & South Asia, VFS Global, said, “VFS Global is honoured and privileged to extend services for the Embassy of Finland in the Middle East. While VFS Global has served the Government of Finland since 2010 through Visa Application Centres worldwide, these two centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the first such launched in the Middle East region for this esteemed client government. We are confident to provide,  the residents of the United Arab Emirates with proficient and world-class visa services, and we are committed to delivering the highest levels of satisfaction for applicants.”

In the Middle East, VFS Global currently provides visa application processing services on behalf of 33 client governments, since it commenced its first opertions in the United Arab Emirates in 2004. For the Government of Finland, VFS Global provides visa application processing services in 14 countries.

Key features of the centres include:

Convenient and central locations
Professional staff with local language capability to handle queries and applications
Well-appointed centres for enhanced comfort of applicants
Mobile Biometrics Service to collect applicant’s biometrics and visa application forms from a location of their choice
Premium Lounge for personalised and comfortable service
Prime Time service providing applicants with the option to apply outside of regular business hours
Automated Queue Management System for quicker submission processes
Photocopy and photo-booth facilities available
Dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, checklists, applicable fees and  visa status updates
Dedicated helpline support to answer queries
Door-step delivery of passports
Finland Visa Application Centres
Dubai Address: WAFI Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair, Dubai - 114100, UAE
Abu Dhabi Address: Joint Visa Application Centre, Shining Tower, Level 25, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, Adjacent to Khalidyah Mall, Abu Dhabi - 30023, UAE
Helpline: +971-4-2055907
Website: www.vfsglobal.com/finland/uae Email: info.FinlandUAE@vfshelpline.com  
Business hours: 0900 hrs to 1700 hrs (Sunday to Thursday)
Submission Timings: 0900 hrs – 1500 hrs | (Sun to Thurs) (except holidays as declared by the Embassy/Consulate)
Passport Collection: 1500 hrs – 1700 hrs | (Sun to Thurs) (except holidays as declared by the Embassy/Consulate)

*VFS Global will be responsible only for accepting applications for the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi. All applications submitted will continue to be assessed and processed by the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi. Timelines for turnaround of visas are as per the discretion of the Embassy.

© Press Release 2017