Germany visa services in UAE extended with VFS Global for 7 more years
UAE residents urged to apply early amid high Schengen visa demand
DUBAI: The German Federal Foreign Office has renewed its visa services contract with VFS Global in the Middle East for an additional seven years.
As part of this extended agreement, VFS Global will continue operating its Visa Application Centres for Germany across key cities, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE.
Germany visa services will also be available through centres in Algiers, Manama, Erbil, Amman, Doha, Kuwait City, Beirut, and Muscat. Further expansion is planned in the coming months, with operations to be added in Nicosia, Yaoundé, Abuja, and Lagos.
Since June 2005, VFS Global has been providing visa services on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office. With the addition of the four new centres, the company’s Germany Visa Application Centre network will grow to 72 locations worldwide.
Where are new centres?
The four new locations – Nicosia in Cyprus, Yaoundé in Cameroon, and Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria – will join the existing network of 68 centres across South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development at VFS Global, said the long-standing partnership with the German government reflects confidence in their services. “With the growing demand for international travel from the region, and Germany’s popularity as a destination for travellers across segments, we look forward to welcoming even more applicants at our centres in the coming years,” he said.
How to apply safely?
UAE travellers planning to visit Germany are encouraged to apply for a Schengen visa as early as possible. Applicants can submit their applications up to six months before their intended travel date. VFS Global advises early applications due to high demand and limited appointment slots.
Applicants are also warned against fraudulent entities pretending to offer appointment bookings on behalf of VFS Global. The company does not charge any fees for scheduling appointments on its official website, www.vfsglobal.com. However, some governments may require pre-payment of service fees during booking to prevent misuse and ensure genuine applications.
VFS Global
Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, and majority owned by investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, VFS Global is the world’s leading provider of visa and consular outsourcing services. The company currently partners with 69 client governments and operates more than 3,900 application centres in 165 countries. Since its inception in 2001, it has processed over 499 million applications.
VFS Global also integrates cutting-edge technologies including Generative AI to support government missions. Its focus on responsible, ethical, and sustainable innovation continues to shape secure mobility solutions globally.