Residents of Qatar can now apply for Switzerland and Croatia visas and enroll for biometrics at the relocated Joint Visa Application Centre in Doha.

The centre run by VFS Global, in partnership with Mannai Trading Co, has been relocated to Abdul Jaleel Business Centre, Airport Road, near the new Ford showroom.

With a higher number of submission counters and larger space to accommodate more applicants during peak seasons, the new centre “efficiently caters to the growing requirements of travellers to Switzerland and Croatia from Qatar,” according to a press statement. Services at the centre commenced on October 2.

VFS Global, in partnership with Mannai Trading Co, has been present in Qatar since 2005 and currently provides visa application services for six client governments in the country.

According to the statement, the key features of the facility include a “convenient and central location, professional staff with local language capability to handle queries and applications, well-appointed centre for enhanced comfort of applicants, automated queue governance for smooth flow of applicants, dedicated country-specific websites for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, checklist and applicable fees, 100% secure handling of passports, documents and personal information, and a Premium Lounge for personalised and comfortable service.”

Submission timings are from 9am to 4pm, Sunday to Thursday, except on holidays as declared by the embassy concerned, while passport collection takes place from 4pm to 5pm, Sunday to Thursday, except on holidays.