The centre was formally inaugurated on March 27, 2019 by Ivan Lančarič, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic in New Delhi.
The visa application centre in New Delhi is one of three VFS Global centres launched across India, providing Slovakia visa services. The other two are located in the metro cities of Mumbai and Bengaluru. All three centres commenced accepting Slovakia visa applications in December 2018, prior to which applicants had to travel to New Delhi to submit their applications at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in New Delhi.
Slovakia visa applications have seen a rise in recent years, with the destination gaining popularity among Indian travellers across segments. An impressive 68 per cent increase was recorded in Slovakia visa applications in 2018 over 2017.
Lančarič said, “If you are interested in visiting a country with a rich history, unique traditions, vibrant cities, historic architecture and a wealth of summer or winter opportunities for outdoor adventures, Slovakia may be the perfect destination for your next trip.”
Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO – South Asia, Middle East and China, VFS Global said, “The Central European country, popular for its expansive national parks, vibrant culture and historical castles and chateaux, has caught the attention of the well-heeled Indian traveller, and we look forward to getting their visits off to a great start with our best-in-class visa services.”
The New Delhi Visa Application Centre provides Slovakia visa applicants a smooth and seamless visa submission experience, including a range of optional services to further ease the process, such as automated SMS updates on visa applications, online tracking of the visa request, and courier return of processed passports, among others.
VFS Global provides visa services for 45 countries at the centre in New Delhi.