The procedure for issuing visas for citizens of Uzbekistan to countries where there are no diplomatic missions in the republic might be simplified. This issue was discussed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the VFS Global company.
The meeting was held with the company's regional director for the CIS and Eastern Europe, Sh. Mishra, and the head of its representative office in Uzbekistan, T. Tuychiev. The prospects for expanding the network of VFS Global offices in the country were discussed.
The parties agreed to launch a mobile reception mechanism by the company's staff for group applications. This service will be provided on a fee basis and will allow applicants from remote areas to receive visa assistance without having to visit the centers in Tashkent and Samarkand.
Also, special attention was paid to simplifying the visa issuance procedures for Uzbekistanis for states without a diplomatic mission in the republic, including Canada, Argentina, Australia, and others.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visa issuance process requires additional time and financial costs in the absence of accredited consulates. In this regard, the Uzbek side proposed to transfer part of the processes to the territory of the country, including submitting biometric data and conducting online interviews through the local offices of VFS Global.
The parties confirmed their interest in expanding cooperation, implementing joint initiatives, and improving the quality of visa services for citizens of Uzbekistan.
VFS Global — is a private outsourcing company providing administrative support in the execution of visa, passport, and consular services for governments and diplomatic missions.
Its main activities include accepting and checking application documents, organizing appointments, collecting biometric data, dispatching documents to consulates or embassies, and presenting the application result. The decision on visas and procedural matters is made by the countries involved — VFS Global facilitates this process.
