VFS to provide Thai visa services in Bangalore

Bangalore, April 20 (IANS) VFS Global, an outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions, will now collect from Bangalore visa applications of Karnataka residents who want to travel to Thailand.

"Applicants from Karnataka need not go to Chennai for obtaining visas to Thailand as we have authorised VFS to collect, assess documents and deliver visas at Bangalore," Thai Consul General Chanchai Charanvatnakit said after VFS opened a counter at its new office in the city Thursday.

The Royal Thai Consulate General in Chennai will continue to process and issue visas for applicants from Karnataka, who can access information on visa types, applicable fee and application status from a dedicated website and a call centre set up by VFS.

"There has been a steady increase in the number of Indians visiting Thailand each year, especially from the southern states for both business and tourism. We have partnered with VFS to meet this growing requirement in Bangalore and help people make trips to our scenic country," Charanvatnakit said.

"Travel to Thailand gets easier from Bangalore as prospective visitors from Karnataka can avail our professional services to obtain a Thai visa at a nominal fee," VFS regional head for South Asia Vishal Jairath said in a statement.

India's steady economic growth and direct trade with Thailand have been augmented by improved air connectivity and enhanced economic collaborations. This has contributed to increase in passenger traffic over the past few years, boosting tourism, business and education, prompting the need to extend visa services to meet the growing needs of travellers.

With 526 visa application centres in 63 countries across five continents, VFS serves diplomatic missions of 37 governments. The company has processed 41 million visa applications since its inception in 2001.