Latest news with #ZubinKarkaria
Mediapart
15 hours ago
- Business
- Mediapart
Le plus grand centre de demande de visa au monde ouvre à Dubaï
Future-ready, culturally grounded, and AI-powered — Dubai's new hub will serve 37 governments Conçu comme un modèle mondial de nouvelle génération pour les centres de visa, établissant de nouvelles normes en matière de service, de sécurité et d'expérience client Construit pour accompagner la croissance de la demande de voyages à l'étranger depuis les Émirats, avec une capacité de 10 000 demandes par jour 37 gouvernements clients. Plus de 200 guichets de dépôt. Une destination puissante et unifiée pour des services de visa intelligents VFS Global, a global leader in trusted technology services, facilitating secure international mobility for governments and citizens, announced the opening of its flagship Visa Application Centre in Wafi City, Dubai, marking the launch of the world's largest visa application facility. The centre was inaugurated by His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri , Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri , Director General of General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai; and Mr. Zubin Karkaria , Founder and Group CEO of VFS Global. Agrandir l'image : Illustration 1 Agrandissement : Illustration 1 Fermer His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri said: 'This milestone is more than just an infrastructure achievement—it reflects Dubai's strategic direction to strengthen global mobility, open access to opportunities, and accelerate the growth of our tourism and business economy. As we pursue the objectives of Dubai's D33 Economic Agenda, ensuring seamless access to and from Dubai remains a priority. Visa facilitation is a critical lever to attract talent, grow tourism, and strengthen international partnerships—all key to positioning Dubai as the most connected and forward-looking city in the world.' Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO of VFS Global Group, said: 'Having established a presence in the Emirates since 2004, our journey has been marked by unwavering commitment and a deep connection to this dynamic nation and its visionary leadership. Over two decades, we have witnessed the spectacular growth of the Emirates, which has become a leading global center for business, technological innovation, and strategic thinking. In line with Dubai's rapid development, we are pleased today to launch the world's largest visa application center, serving more than 200 nationalities, in this Year of Community. Working with Emirati entrepreneurs and artists, the center reflects the multicultural fabric of the country we are proud to call our global headquarters. Designed to meet the growing demand for international travel and security, accessibility, and comfort, this ultra-modern center in Dubai sets a new global benchmark—designed not only for today, but also for the needs of tomorrow. With nearly 14,000 square meters, the center can process up to 10,000 visa applications per day—a world record for a single location—and is supported by a skilled and diverse team of more than 400 professionals from over 25 nationalities. Among its main features: Technology-assisted self-service kiosks, secure lockers, photo booths, and copy stations for last-minute needs Interactive touchscreen terminals, QR code check-in and automatic feedback at each counter More than 400 employees equipped with tablets to help applicants, supported by trained volunteers Intuitive airport-style signage, large waiting areas and cart service for easy movement Prayer spaces, children's play areas and comfort zones for a truly user-centric experience ESG-compliant design, energy-efficient systems and priority lanes for seniors, families and people with disabilities With the increase in international travel from the Emirates, personalized services like the Premium Lounge have become the preferred choice for applicants seeking comfort and convenience. Of the 200+ drop-off counters, 79 are exclusively reserved for the Premium service. The center is one of the few to also offer the Platinum Lounge, with personalized service including a private chauffeur, comprehensive support, and a modern, relaxing setting. At the heart: artificial intelligence and innovation With real-time document validation and state-of-the-art biometric systems, the on-site AI Innovation Hub ensures smarter, faster, and more secure processing. This is complemented by a scanning center that converts paper documents into secure digital files, and a Global Resilience Center (GRC) that ensures 24/7 availability, data protection, and service continuity for all partner governments. VFS Global has integrated technology into every step of the process to revolutionize the visa application experience. Visitors use e-tickets via QR code upon arrival, guided by an advanced queue management system. This intelligent system, combined with electronic screens and mobile notifications, significantly reduces waiting time and optimizes applicant flow—even during peak periods. By combining technological innovation with human expertise, the center redefines the visa application process as a seamless, transparent, and efficient one. The opening of the world's largest visa application center in Dubai demonstrates VFS Global's commitment to the government's "We the UAE 2031" vision. Aligned with the Year of Community 2025, this center sets a new global standard for service excellence, while incorporating Emirati cultural works that celebrate Dubai's community spirit. This iconic facility embodies a new model—blending cutting-edge technology and local values to ensure a future of secure, connected, and community-driven travel. VFS Global has been present in the UAE since 2002 as the official visa service provider for Emirates Airlines passengers, and has established its headquarters in Dubai since 2013.
Time Out Dubai
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
VFS Global opens world's largest visa application centre in Dubai
The world's largest visa application centre has officially opened in Dubai. Headed up by VFS Global, the new centre serves a whopping 37 governments and can handle up to 10,000 visa applications every day. With Dubai International Airport being the world's busiest international airport and plans for the even bigger Al Maktoum International Airport in the pipeline, the application centre should make it easier to travel outbound from the UAE. Based in a 150,000 square foot space in Dubai's Wafi City, the centre has a team of more than 400 trained professionals hailing from 25 different nations capable of helping applicants fill in the right forms to get their visa granted. Travel abroad can be restrictive depending on the passport, with some granting visa-free travel to more locations than others. This centre will help streamline the process of visa approval for many living in the emirate. (Credit: VFS Global) Tech-enabled self-service kiosks, secure lockers, photo booths and photocopy stations will help those who have last-minute needs. Touchscreen info kiosks, QR code-based check-ins and automated feedback at each visa desk will help visitors out with their applications. This smart system, paired with electronic displays and mobile updates, aims to minimise wait times and optimise applicant flow. Airport-style navigation with clear signage, spacious waiting areas, buggy services, dedicated prayer rooms and kids' play areas have all been provided for those who need them. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, says that the new visa centre will also help the emirate attract more talent. He said: 'This milestone is more than an infrastructure achievement — it reflects the strategic direction Dubai is taking to enhance global mobility, unlock access to opportunity, and accelerate growth across our visitor and business economy. 'As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, strengthening seamless access to and from Dubai remains a priority. 'Visa facilitation is a key enabler of talent attraction, tourism development, and international partnerships — all essential levers of our strategy to position Dubai as the world's most connected and future-ready city.' In total, VFS Global serves 40 countries in the UAE, including China, Japan, the Philippines, the UK and many European destinations. Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group, says that the centre reflects Dubai's extensive multicultural population. He said: 'In line with the rapid development of Dubai, today we are pleased to launch the world's largest Visa Application Centre, serving over 200 nationalities in this Year of Community. 'Working closely with Emirati Entrepreneurs and Emirati Artists, the centre captures and reflects the multicultural fabric of the country that we are proud to call our Global Headquarters.' Jetting off soon? Travelling for Eid Al Adha? This is the best day to find a cheap flight deal An expert reveals all New Emirates flights from Dubai for 2025 Will you be jetting off soon? New flydubai flights from Dubai for 2025 Your holiday plans sorted
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai becomes home to the World's Largest Visa Application Centre, revolutionising visa services for a new era
Conceptualised as a next-generation global model for visa centres, setting new benchmarks in service, security, and customer experience Built to support the UAE's growing outbound travel demand, with the capacity to handle 10,000 applications a day 37 client governments. Over 200 submission counters. One powerful, unified destination for smart visa services. VFS Global, the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure global mobility for governments and citizens, has announced the launch of its flagship Visa Application Centre in Dubai's Wafi City, marking the opening of the largest visa application facility in the world. The centre was inaugurated by His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism; His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai; and Mr. Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism said, 'This milestone is more than an infrastructure achievement — it reflects the strategic direction Dubai is taking to enhance global mobility, unlock access to opportunity, and accelerate growth across our visitor and business economy. As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, strengthening seamless access to and from Dubai remains a priority. Visa facilitation is a key enabler of talent attraction, tourism development, and international partnerships — all essential levers of our strategy to position Dubai as the world's most connected and future-ready city.' His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai said, 'Today, we witnessed the inauguration of a new milestone in the journey of excellence pursued by the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, with the opening of the world's largest Visa Application Centre, located in the heart of Dubai, a city that continuously redefines innovation. This achievement embodies a true reflection of the directives of our wise leadership towards strengthening the nation's position as a global hub for smart services and establishing a unique model for delivering government services with high efficiency and quality. We believe that continuous development is not an option, but rather a commitment to a more prosperous future.' Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group, said, 'Operating in the UAE since 2004, our journey has been defined by our unwavering commitment and a deep-rooted connection with this dynamic nation and its visionary leadership. In these two decades we have witnessed the spectacular growth and development of the UAE to become a preeminent global hub of business, thought leadership, technology development and innovation. In line with the rapid development of Dubai, today we are pleased to launch the world's largest Visa Application Centre, serving over 200 nationalities in this Year of Community. Working closely with Emirati Entrepreneurs and Emirati Artists, the centre captures and reflects the multicultural fabric of the country that we are proud to call our Global Headquarters.' Designed to meet the surge in outbound travel and rising expectations for security, accessibility, and convenience, the state-of-the-art Dubai centre sets a new global benchmark — built not just for today, but for the travel demands of tomorrow. At nearly 150,000 square feet, the centre is equipped to handle up to 10,000 visa applications daily – a capacity that stands as the highest for any single location – and is supported by a skilled and diverse team of over 400 trained professionals from more than 25 nationalities. Key features of the centre include: Tech-enabled self-service kiosks, secure lockers, photo booths, and photocopy stations for last-minute needs Touchscreen info kiosks, QR code-based check-ins with automated feedback at each visa desk More than 400 on-site staff equipped with tablets to assist applicants, supported by trained volunteers for form and kiosk help Intuitive, airport-style navigation with clear signage, spacious waiting areas, and a buggy service for easy movement Dedicated prayer rooms, kids' play areas, and various convenience zones ensuring a truly customer-centric experience ESG-compliant design with energy-efficient systems and fast-track lanes for seniors, families, and persons with disabilities With rising outbound travel from the UAE, personalised services like the Premium Lounge have become the preferred choice for applicants seeking enhanced comfort and convenience. Of the 200+ submission counters at the centre, 79 are exclusively available as Premium Lounges. The centre is one of the few globally, and just two in the UAE, to offer the Platinum Lounge service, which includes a personalised experience with chauffeur service, end-to-end application support, and a calm, modern setting. At the Core: AI and Innovation From real-time document validation to next-generation biometrics, the on-site AI Innovation Hub powers smarter, faster, and more secure processing. Complementing this is a Digitization Centre that converts paper documents into secure digital records and a Global Resilience Center (GRC) that ensures 24/7 operational uptime, data protection, and continuity for all partner governments. VFS Global has leveraged technology at every stage of the applicant journey to revolutionise the submission experience. Visitors use QR code-based e-tokens for check-in, guided by an advanced queue management system. This smart system, paired with electronic displays and mobile updates, minimises wait times and optimises applicant flow — even at peak capacity. By marrying innovation with human expertise, the centre reimagines visa application as a seamless, transparent, and efficient process. The launch of the world's largest Visa Application Centre in Dubai underscores VFS Global's commitment to the UAE Government's 'We the UAE 2031' vision. Aligned with the Year of Community 2025, the centre not only sets a global benchmark in service excellence but also integrates Emirati cultural installations that celebrate the spirit of Dubai's communities. This flagship facility represents a new model — one that blends breakthrough technology with local values to ensure a future of secure, connected, and community-oriented travel. VFS Global has been associated with the UAE since 2002 as the official visa service provider for Emirates Airlines passengers and has been headquartered in Dubai since 2013. About VFS Global As the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment. With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 69 client governments. Operating over 3,616 Application Centres in 158 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 461 million applications since 2001. Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai and majority owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, along with minority stakeholders including Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation.
Al Etihad
20-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE becomes home to world's largest visa application centre
20 May 2025 14:25 DUBAI (WAM) VFS Global, the leader in trusted technology services, has announced the launch of its flagship Visa Application Centre in Dubai's Wafi City, marking the opening of the largest visa application facility in the centre was inaugurated by Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism; Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai; and Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VFS Global Saeed Almarri said, 'This milestone is more than an infrastructure achievement — it reflects the strategic direction Dubai is taking to enhance global mobility, unlock access to opportunity, and accelerate growth across our visitor and business economy. As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, strengthening seamless access to and from Dubai remains a priority."Visa facilitation is a key enabler of talent attraction, tourism development, and international partnerships — all essential levers of our strategy to position Dubai as the world's most connected and future-ready city.'Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri said, 'Today, we witnessed the inauguration of a new milestone in the journey of excellence pursued by the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, with the opening of the world's largest Visa Application Centre, located in the heart of Dubai, a city that continuously redefines innovation."This achievement embodies a true reflection of the directives of our wise leadership towards strengthening the nation's position as a global hub for smart services and establishing a unique model for delivering government services with high efficiency and quality.'Zubin Karkaria, in turn, said, 'Operating in the UAE since 2004, our journey has been defined by our unwavering commitment and a deep-rooted connection with this dynamic nation and its visionary leadership. In these two decades, we have witnessed the spectacular growth and development of the UAE to become a preeminent global hub of business, thought leadership, technology development and innovation. In line with the rapid development of Dubai, today we are pleased to launch the world's largest Visa Application Centre, serving over 200 nationalities.' At nearly 150,000 square feet, the centre is equipped to handle up to 10,000 visa applications daily – a capacity that stands as the highest for any single location – and is supported by a skilled and diverse team of over 400 trained professionals from more than 25 nationalities.
Gulf Business
20-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Full details: Dubai unveils the world's largest visa application centre
Image credit: WAM/Website VFS Global, a leader in trusted technology services empowering secure global mobility for governments and citizens, has announced the launch of its flagship Visa Application Centre in Dubai's Wafi City, marking the opening of the largest visa application facility in the world. Read- Spanning nearly 150,000 square feet, the centre is equipped to handle up to 10,000 visa applications daily—a capacity unmatched by any other single location—and is supported by a skilled, diverse team of over 400 trained professionals representing more than 25 nationalities, Visa centre inauguration The centre was inaugurated by Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism; Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai; and Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VFS Global Group. 'This milestone is more than an infrastructure achievement — it reflects the strategic direction Dubai is taking to enhance global mobility, unlock access to opportunity, and accelerate growth across our visitor and business economy. As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, strengthening seamless access to and from Dubai remains a priority,' said Helal Saeed Almarri. Visa facilitation and innovation 'Visa facilitation is a key enabler of talent attraction, tourism development, and international partnerships — all essential levers of our strategy to position Dubai as the world's most connected and future-ready city.' Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri added, 'Today, we witnessed the inauguration of a new milestone in the journey of excellence pursued by the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, with the opening of the world's largest Visa Application Centre, located in the heart of Dubai—a city that continuously redefines innovation. 'This achievement truly reflects the directives of our wise leadership to strengthen the nation's position as a global hub for smart services and to establish a unique model for delivering government services with high efficiency and quality.' Zubin Karkaria commented, 'Operating in the UAE since 2004, our journey has been defined by unwavering commitment and a deep-rooted connection with this dynamic nation and its visionary leadership. Over the past two decades, we have witnessed the UAE's spectacular growth into a global hub for business, thought leadership, technology development, and innovation. In line with Dubai's rapid development, we are proud to launch the world's largest Visa Application Centre, serving over 200 nationalities.'
