VFS Global Expands Service Network for Czech Republic

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The Embassy of the Czech Republic and VFS Global have launched the 14th Czech Republic Visa Application Centre in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India, extending the network access to visa application facilities for residents of Kerala. This is the second such centre in Kerala after the opening of Czech Republic visa facilities in Kochi in early March, this year.
The centre was inaugurated by Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic in India, in the presence of Radek Vondráček, Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, and key members of the Czech Parliamentary delegation on a visit to India, on 01 June 2017.
This new centre in Thiruvananthapuram is centrally located at First Floor, Asiatic Business Centre, TC 2/2408-3, Attipra Village, Kazhakuttam, Thiruvananthapuram.
In the last one year, Thiruvananthapuram is the 14th city in India where VFS Global has launched a Visa Application Centre for the Czech Republic, to provide for the growing demands for visas to the country mong Indian tourists.
At the launch, Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India, said, “It is good to be back in Kerala two months after launching the first Visa Application Centre of the Czech Republic in Kochi This time, I am here to accompany a high level delegation of the Parliament of the Czech Republic led by the first Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Radek Vondráček, which is on the visit in Thiruvananthapuram to explore possibilities of expanding bilateral cooperation between the Czech Republic and the state of Kerala. The presence of Parliamentarians at the opening of the second Visa Application Centre in the capital of Kerala clearly demonstrates systemic interest the Czech Republic has in promoting the two countries' people to people contacts through tourism.”
The setting up of a 14th visa application centre in India in less than a year since commencement of services for the client government in India, signifies the company’s strengthening association with the Embassy of the Czech Republic.
VFS Global has also been appointed as the official representative of the Czech Tourist Authority – Czech Tourism, in India since November 2016. VFS Global works in close collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Indian travel fraternity, to promote the Czech Republic as a preferred tourist destination through various promotional activities.
Commenting on the launch, Vinay Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East and South Asia, VFS Global, "We are pleased to further enhance the visa services network for the Czech Republic in India, through the centre in Thiruvananthapuram. The centre will serve the ever-increasing volumes of visa applications for the Schengen country, illustrating the emerging popularity of the Czech Republic as a tourist destination, especially among residents in Kerala.”
Other centres have been set up in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Puducherry, and Pune. Before the outsourcing of the Czech Republic visa application process, applicants had to travel to the Czech Republic Embassy in Delhi to submit their applications. VFS Global first set up visa application operations for the Czech Republic in 2008, in Russia, and has since established a robust network of 83 centres for this client government across 18 countries.
Key features of the centre include:
 Convenient and central location
 Skilled staff well-versed with the local language to handle applications and queries
 Extended operating hours enabling visitors to submit applications at their time of convenience
 Dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, checklist,
applicable fees, visa status update
 100% secure handling of passports, documents and personal information
 Doorstep delivery of passports
Helpline: 022-67866023
Email: info.czechindia@vfshelpline.com
Website: http://www.vfsglobal.com/czechrepublic/india/
Operational from Monday to Friday, except holidays as declared by the Embassy.
Submission Timing for Applicants, Representatives and Travel Agents:
0900 hrs to 1200 hrs – 1300 hrs to 1500 hrs with Prior Appointment Only (Monday – Friday)
Document Collection Timing: 0900 hrs to 1200 hrs – 1300 hrs to 1500 hrs (Monday-Friday)
VFS Global will be responsible only for accepting applications on behalf of client missions. All
applications submitted will continue to be assessed and processed by the Embassy of the Czech Republic
in New Delhi. Timelines for turnaround of visas are as per the discretion of the authorities.