In line with the goals of Vision 2030, VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, aims to achieve 100 percent Saudization in its customer-facing roles by December this year, with 65 percent of its workforce in the Kingdom currently being Saudi nationals. Moreover, the company is working closely with the Saudi Tourism Authority to boost visitor numbers to the Kingdom, aiming to achieve yet another of Vision 2030’s goal of raising the contribution of the tourism sector to the domestic product to more than 10 percent.
“As an organization, we strongly support Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030. Each of the three fundamental pillars of Vision 2030 — building an ambitious nation, thriving economy and vibrant society, is aligned to our growth philosophy,” said Zubin Karkaria, founder and chief executive officer, VFS Global Group.
Highlighting the company’s efforts of supporting Vision 2030, he said: “Sixty-five percent of VFS Global’s workforce in Saudi Arabia are nationals, and 40 percent of our operations staff in Saudi Arabia are women. In our customer-facing roles, we have set a target of 100 percent Saudization by December 2022. In addition, we have launched a Global Talent Pool to provide Saudi nationals with international exposure by providing deputations and training in our centers across our global network in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Americas. Over the next 12-18 months, we will train and coach about 100 Saudi nationals through classroom and on-ground training.
“Moreover, we have been working in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia to provide visa outsourcing services in 30 countries since 2013, as well as visa processing on behalf of 32 client governments in 13 cities across Saudi Arabia. We also work closely with the Saudi Tourism Authority in their initiatives.”
VFS Global has been providing visa and consular services in Saudi Arabia since 2005. The company offers visa and passport services on behalf of 32 governments through a network of 95 visa application centers in the Kingdom. The company also offers visa services on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 30 countries through a network of 58 centers.
Globally, VFS Global is the trusted partner of 66 client governments, with more than 3,300 application centers in 140+ countries.
Commenting on VFS Global’s operations in the Kingdom, Karkaria said: “VFS Global started its services in the Saudi market in 2005, and since then it has enjoyed a strong partnership with the government of Saudi Arabia, working closely with the authorities to ensure compliance with all the local laws and guidelines, and supporting the nation’s growth agenda. VFS Global was among the first group of companies to establish regional headquarters in Riyadh, and the success of our business here further highlights the importance and advantage of the Kingdom.”
Operated by a staff of up to 800 employees, VFS Global operates centers in 13 cities, namely, Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, Abha, Hail, Jubail, Makkah, Jazan, Al-Qassim, Al-Kharj, Tabuk, Madinah, Najran and Al-Jouf.
In a bid to provide service with ease to applicants across the Kingdom, it has also tied up with Chambers of Commerce in Riyadh, Makkah, Jazan, Al-Jouf, Najran, Al-Qassem, Madinah and Al-Kharj, to provide their members, employees, and residents end-to-end visa and passport services at the chambers’ premises.
Similarly, bringing passport and consular services closer to home for Filipino, Sri Lankan and Indian citizens in the Kingdom, VFS Global operates passport renewal services in three major cities — Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar — and Passport On Wheels services in locations where there is no permanent passport center.
