VFS Global, a leading provider of visa outsourcing services, is considering expanding its network of visa centers across Uzbekistan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A working meeting was held on July 7 between representatives of the Ministry and VFS Global’s Regional Director for Eastern Europe and the CIS, Shweta Mishra, along with the company’s head in Uzbekistan, Timur Tuychiev. Talks focused on enhancing the company’s service coverage by gradually establishing additional visa centers in Uzbekistan’s regions.
The two sides discussed plans to expand the company’s network of visa centers beyond Tashkent and Samarkand, aiming to serve applicants in other regions.
An agreement was reached to introduce mobile visa services — a paid mechanism through which VFS Global staff would visit organized groups at designated locations, providing greater accessibility for those in remote areas.
The discussion also addressed the challenges faced by Uzbek citizens applying for visas to countries that do not have embassies or consulates in Uzbekistan, such as Canada, Argentina, and Australia. In many such cases, applicants must travel abroad to submit documents or undergo biometric procedures, which adds to time and cost burdens.
In response, the Uzbek side proposed localizing part of the visa process within Uzbekistan. This would involve using VFS Global offices to collect biometric data and conduct remote interviews, thereby reducing the need for applicants to travel outside the country.
VFS Global, a leading provider of trusted technology services, supports governments and diplomatic missions by handling administrative tasks for visa, passport, and consular applications. This allows authorities to focus on decision-making.
Serving as a trusted partner to 69 governments, VFS Global operates 3,936 application centers across 165 countries. Since its founding in 2001, it has processed over 473mn applications and completed more than 212mn biometric enrolments.
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