Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jun 2: The Saudi Arabia government has introduced Visa Facticity Service (VFS) from May 1 for people who apply for tourist visa of the country. According to the new rule, tourists have to be personally present at the consulate offices in metros of the country in order to submit biometric data and other documents. This has caused inconvenience to senior citizens and women.

People of Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi who are employed in Saudi Arabia take their parents, wife or relatives under family visa. If a baby is born in Saudi Arabia, then also family members go to Saudi Arabia to take care of the mother and baby. Under a family visa, people can reside in Saudi for maximum of one year.

Earlier, passport and photograph of the person were needed to be stamped through any travelling agency along with the copy of tourist visa. However, now the people who are set to travel, have to report to consulate offices in four major metros of the countries according to the information provided by one of the travel agency owner.

According to the new rule, those who wish to go to Saudi on tour need to apply for visa in the same way as that of other nationals like Americans, Australians or Europeans. They will then be called for biometric after applying under VFS.

At present, there is waiting period of 15 days for getting the visa stamped in consulate of Saudi Arabia. Senior citizens, women and even babies need to be carried to the consulate. The fee for the process is also more than earlier. In addition, travelling and lodging expenses to the major metros will also increase the expenses of the visitors.