(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Many have chosen to travel to France this year as the number of applications for French visa has increased at least by 50 percent and majority of applicants are Qataris, according to an official.
In 2013 a total of 18,000 applications were submitted and but within the first nine months of 2014 the number rose to 26,000.
Most of the applications are for tourist visas, but there are a considerable number of people who go to France for education or medical treatment, said Jeremy Georget, Country Manager of Capago-MENA in Qatar, the external operator for French visa procedure.
The French embassy externalised its visa procedure in 2013. Visa applications to France should be submitted to the Capago-MENA office at the Jaidah square.
"We have to simplify and facilitate the visa process. So we are here to collect all documents and sent to the consulate," said Georget, who is also the Centre Mananger for Capago-MENA.
"Around 70 percent applications we receive are from Qataris and 80 percent of them are for tourist visas. Others are mainly for education and medical treatment and applications for such visas are increasing," he said. High numbers of visa applications are submitted between June and August compared to other months. The Capago-MENA office also receives visa applications for Portuguese and Iceland since the French consulate is authorised to issue visas for the two countries.
"95 percent of applications we receive for France, not a lot to Iceland. But its more to Portuguese than to Iceland," said Georget.
It would take two to five days for Qatari and non consolidated country citizens to obtain a visa to France and 15 days for people from other countries. Schengen regulations and law for a French visa holder remain unchanged.
"One can apply to Schengen visa from here but the first entry should be to France and the second entry could be another country. Even if first entry is not France then the traveller should give an accommodation proof that he or she will stay in France for a longer period," said Jean Philippe Gourdier, Deputy Centre Manager and Deputy Country Manager, Capago- Mena.
A visa applicant can visit the website of Capago-MENA to start the process. Also the embassy's website provide the applicant with a link to the website of Capago-MENA. The website provides all information required to obtain a visa. An appointment could be obtained through the website to submit documents. Document verification and biometric prints will be taken at Capago-MENA and sent to the embassy. Once the visa is stamped, the applicant will be sent through a text message the date and time to collect his passport from the Capago-MENA.
Although the fee would remain same at ¤60, ¤25 will be charged for services and ¤50 if a special VIP service is required.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.