People who are looking to apply for a Visa to travel to Germany, as well as to Austria, Finland, Norway and Slovenia, will have things a little easier as the German Embassy in Qatar has opened a new Visa Application Centre in Doha.

The new Visa Application Centre is operated by VFS Global, a leading outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions worldwide.

The German embassy and VFS Global said the new visa centre will bring, due to the broad opening hours, enhanced convenience in visa processing services and biometric enrolment formalities to residents of Qatar applying for Schengen visa to Germany as well as to Austria, Finland, Norway and Slovenia, according to Gulf Times. 

These countries are represented by Germany regarding the issuance of Schengen visa. The processing time for Schengen visa is maximum 15 days; visa can be applied for up to three months before the planned date of travel.

The VFS Global German Visa Application Centre in Doha is located at Level 1, Abdul Jaleel Business Center, Airport Road, Al Matar Street, Doha.

Commenting on the new development, German ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel said: “Germany is a great business and tourist travel destination for Qatari nationals and foreign residents of Qatar. The new centre will help enhance travel preparation to Germany as well as to Austria, Finland, Norway and Slovenia for residents in Qatar, and in general will complement the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. We encourage applying early for visa to avoid any delays during the peak 

season beginning May.”