New visa centre for 13 Schengen countries opened in Pondy

: A new state-of-the-art joint visa application centre to serve 13 of the 26 Schengen countries, including France, was inaugurated here Monday following a rise in demand for visa service.

The centre was set up by outsourcing and technology service provider VFS Global, a press release from the company said.

On the number of visa applications processed from Puducherry between January and September, Kochi saw a 51 per cent rise, followed by Chennai at 39 per cent and Puducherry at 34 per cent, the release said.

The centre was opened recently by Consul General of Puducherry Catherine Suard.

"Given the rise in visa applications to Europe and France with respect to business, tourist and educational purpose, I am happy to be at the inaugural function," the release quoted Suard as saying.

"Historically, Puducherry shares deep ties with France seeing a continuous, strong demand for visa service to European destinations," regional group Chief Operating Officer of VFS Global (Middle-East, South Asia and China) Vinay Malhotra said.