UAE residents can now enjoy visa services to 23 countries from home

UAE residents are increasingly choosing premium visa services that bring the process to their doorstep, according to a VFS Global report.

VFS Global’s "Visa at Your Doorstep" service, which allows applicants to complete their visa applications from home or office, has seen a 20% increase in demand from Middle East travelers, including those within the UAE, in the first half of 2024.

This year, VFS Global expanded this service to include Bulgaria, Croatia, and Japan.

The service involves trained professionals visiting the applicant’s chosen location to collect documents and enroll biometrics.

While it has traditionally been popular among corporate and student groups, there’s a growing trend of families and individual travelers opting for the service, with Dubai leading the demand in the UAE.

Monaz Billimoria, regional head at VFS Global, noted that the demand for this service grew during the pandemic due to health concerns but now reflects a broader preference for convenience over cost.

The "Visa at Your Doorstep" service is optional and can be booked online. It does not affect the processing time or outcome of visa applications, which remains the responsibility of the respective governments.

In the UAE, the "Visa at Your Doorstep" service is available for Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the UK.