Ambassador of Portugal to the Kingdom, Manuel Carvalho, along with Ajit Alexander, Chief Operating Officer (COO) — Middle East and Africa, VFS Global, inaugurating the Portugal Visa Application Center at the Joint Visa Application Center in Riyadh on Wednesday. — Courtesy photo RIYADH — The Embassy of Portugal in Riyadh has outsourced its visa application process to VFS Global. People who want to apply for Schengen visas to Portugal can now do so at the center managed by VFS Global in Riyadh. While VFS Global will accept visa applications, the embassy will continue to make the assessment and decisions regarding all visas. Soon, the service will be extended to Jeddah and Al-Khobar. The Ambassador of Portugal to the Kingdom, Manuel Carvalho, along with Ajit Alexander, Chief Operating Officer (COO) — Middle East and Africa, VFS Global, inaugurated the Portugal Visa Application Center at the Joint Visa Application Center in Riyadh on Wednesday. While inaugurating the center, Ambassador Carvalho said, “We have been working with VFS Global in other countries and we understood that synergies could be drawn from a partnership in KSA. We expect that this new service, especially when it is extended to Jeddah and Al-Khobar will facilitate traveling to Portugal for Saudi residents, be they tourists, businesspeople, investors or students. “We are a peaceful, welcoming, beautiful country that we hope many more Saudis will soon discover.” Alexander commented, “It is an honor and our privilege to serve the Embassy of Portugal in the region to provide better service and shorten the handling time for Schengen visa applications. “This launch of Portugal visa application process will offer a convenient visa application submission experience to residents in the country. We are committed to delivering a professional and high-quality service to all applicants and travel agents in the KSA. “VFS Global started operations for the Government of Portugal in 2008, and now serves clients in India, China, Colombia, Russia and South Africa.” The center in Riyadh will accept applications for visas to Portugal from applicants and travel agents residing in the area. The service requires applicants to pay a nominal service fee, payable at the center at the time of submitting applications. The center's hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
