Hungary Tourism partners with VFS Global for speedy visa processing in India; Targets 10,000 visas by December 2012

In a move to provide a high level, customer-oriented services to applicants for their visa application process, The Embassy of Hungary announced its collaboration with VFS Global, world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions and governments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary and VFS Global signed an agreement for outsourcing Hungary's visa processing in India, a move which is expected to fasten visa application process.

The high level delegation, led by H. E. Dr. János HÃ'VÁRI ' Deputy State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary including Mr. Zsolt BECSEY, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Hungary for International Economic Affairs and Mr. Balázs Hidvéghi, Deputy State Secretary for European and International Affairs, Ministry of National Economy of Hungary are on their official visit to India to increase political and economic ties between the two countries and boost tourism, investments and trade exchange. Also present at the ceremony were H.E. Mr. János TERÉNYI ' Ambassador of Hungary to India.

VFS Global will start by setting up the Hungary Visa Application Centre (VAC) in New Delhi which will be operational from early March, 2012. This network may also be expanded to other cities in India in a phased manner. VFS Global, apart from this new association in India, already serves the Hungarian government similarly in UAE & UK.

VFS Global will be responsible for accepting and processing applications for Hungary visas from applicants residing across India. The key features of the centre will be longer operating hours, dedicated website for easy access, visa information including visa types, applicable fees and application status, professional and responsive staff committed to handle applications and visa queries, separate submission facilities for travel agents and individual submissions, dedicated call centre, email support and door-step delivery of passports. The service would attract a nominal service fee of INR 520, payable at the VAC at the time of submitting the application. The office will remain open from 9 am to 4 pm keeping in mind the convenience of the applicants.

"With the aim to provide a high level, customer-oriented service during the visa application process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary pursuant to a selection by tender process, came to the decision to partner with VFS Global. Hungary is keen to attract more investment, boost travel and encourage Indian students to study in Hungary. 70% of travel from India to Hungary is by multinational companies who have presence in the country," said Dr.HÃ'VÁRI on the occasion.

He further added, "The Government of Hungary expects from this co-operation in New Delhi to enhance people to people contact in every possible field including business, tourism and education. This arrangement with VFS Global will certainly boost Indo-Hungarian business relations by providing for a more hassle-free environment for business-travellers of major Indian multinational investors at the first place. In this spirit, the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi has been striving for providing an outmost business-friendly visa procedure and this co-operation with VFS Global would enable us to take a step further in achieving this goal."

Mr. Murali Raghavan, COO ' South Asia and CIS, VFS Global said on the occasion, "VFS Global is honored to be associated with the Government of Hungary, and is pleased to extend our relationship in India, apart from UAE and UK. Applicants and travel agents in India no longer need to send their documents to the Embassy and can now submit their applications with VFS Global. We are committed to provide the professional services to all visa applicants applying for Hungary visas."