• Service offered in partnership with the KSA Ministry of Health approved and certified testing laboratory
  • ‘At Your Doorstep’ testing option available for enhanced convenience and safety

As borders reopen and travel restrictions ease gradually, a convenient and reliable pre-departure COVID-19 testing solution may become a catalyst in the recovery process of international travel by providing an assurance to destination countries, airlines and travellers and by becoming a major risk-mitigator. Some countries have already made this a mandatory requirement, while many others are seriously considering implementing the same for all incoming travellers to ease the pressure of on-arrival testing. To meet the rising demand, VFS Global, the world's largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, has announced the launch of booking for COVID-19 Diagnostic PCR and Antibody testing service starting from 16 August 2020 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The service is offered in partnership with KSA Ministry of Health approved and certified testing laboratory. 

While VFS Global provides a seamless appointment booking system, tests are conducted by trained medical professionals from approved and certified testing laboratory. The test reports are directly sent by the partnered laboratory to the registered email address of the individual, ensuring confidentiality. 

Available across Al Khobar, Jeddah and Riyadh, customers can have their test samples collected from a location of choice, be it office or home, using the “At Your Doorstep” testing service for enhanced convenience and safety. Test results will be delivered within 24 hours for customers in Riyadh and between 24 – 48 hours for customers in Al Khobar and Jeddah. The partnered testing laboratory accepts appointments all days of the week between 0900hrs – 2200hrs.

Speaking on the launch of the service, Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO – South Asia, Middle East & North Africa, Americas, said, “We believe a convenient and reliable pre-departure COVID-19 testing solution can become a catalyst in the recovery process of international travel by providing an assurance to destination countries, airlines and travellers and by becoming a major risk-mitigator. Countries might even consider making this mandatory for all incoming travellers to ease the pressure of testing upon arrival.”

Steps to apply:

  • Schedule an appointment online or speak to a call centre agent
  • Provide Saudi ID/Iqama and personal information before making payment
  • Proceed to take the test as per the appointment date, time, and location
  • Receive the test result on the registered email address

The COVID-19 Diagnostic PCR and Antibody testing service is open for all and is not limited to travellers. The service can be availed by anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms such as dry cough, difficulty in breathing, and high fever, or by even those who do not have any symptom but would like to get themselves tested.

VFS Global is working on offering a convenient, reliable, and secure COVID-19 testing booking service globally in partnership with reputed medical service providers authorised to carry out tests. Following the launch in the UAE last month and now in the KSA, the company is focusing on rolling-out the service next in China, Egypt and India in a phased manner.

A negative COVID-19 test result does not guarantee a positive visa decision. Visa decision-making remains the exclusive prerogative of the concerned government and VFS Global plays no role in the decision-making process. Customers are advised to check for latest travel advisories from local and intended destination’s healthcare authority regarding any international travel.  

For appointment booking & general information, visit https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/covid-test.html. For any queries, customer can send an email at covidtest@vfsglobal.com or call the contact centre - Riyadh: 055 063 1468 | Jeddah: 054 158 6373 | Khobar: 056 992 4293

-Ends-

About VFS Global

VFS Global is the world's largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. VFS Global has Swiss parentage and is a portfolio company of EQT, a leading global private equity firm headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. With 3399 Application Centres, operations in 144 countries across five continents and over 224 million applications processed (since inception in 2001) as on 30 June 2020, VFS Global is the trusted partner of 64 client governments.

Media Contact
Sukanya Chakraborty
sukanyac@vfsglobal.com
communications@vfsglobal.com

MSL PR Agency Contact
Omar Abd Raboo
Media Relations Manager
omar.abdraboo@mslgroup.com  

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