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VFS Global's Schengen visa application centre in Bangalore will now accept applications for France and Switzerland.
The centre will also accept applications for other Schengen countries such as Austria, Belgium, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden, said Mr Vishal Jairath, Regional Head – South Asia, VFS Global.
VFS Global will be responsible for accepting applications for French visas from applicants in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and Swiss visas from applicants from Karnataka. While the French visa applications will be processed by the Consulate General of France in Bangalore, the Swiss visa applications will be processed in Mumbai.
Mr Dominique Causse, Consul General of France, Bangalore, said that since opening the visa section at the consulate in Bangalore, 15,000 visas have been delivered. According to him, there are three groups of visa applicants — business travellers, students and tourists.
Mr Rolf Frei, Consul General of Switzerland, Bangalore, said that the third consulate general in India was opened in Bangalore to facilitate visa process for South Indians.
Visa applications to Switzerland will soon be processed in Bangalore, “when our new offices are ready. Construction of our new office will begin next month and will be ready by the year-end,” he said. Last year, there was a 25 per cent increase in visa applications to Switzerland from India, and there were 76,000 visa applications, he added.
The new Schengen visa application centre is located at Central Street in Bangalore, and it will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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