Yesterday, Dubai witnessed the inauguration of the world’s largest visa application center, officially opened by H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
Also present were Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, and Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO of VFS Global.
H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri emphasized that this achievement reflects the advanced infrastructure of Dubai and materializes the city’s strategic goal of facilitating global mobility, creating more opportunities, and accelerating economic growth by simplifying business setup processes and attracting an increasing number of visitors.
He noted: “Enhancing accessibility to and from Dubai is a priority for us, as we strive to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
“We fully recognize the importance of streamlining visa processes as a key factor in attracting talent, boosting tourism, and enhancing international partnerships, which are all fundamental pillars of our strategy to position Dubai as a global link connecting cities and the most future-ready destination.”
A New Milestone
Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri remarked: “Today marks the launch of a new milestone in the pursuit of excellence undertaken by the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, with the opening of the largest visa application center globally from the heart of Dubai, a city that never ceases to innovate. This achievement truly embodies our leadership’s vision to enhance the UAE’s status as a global hub for smart services.”
“It establishes a unique model for delivering government services with high efficiency and quality. We believe that continuous development is not an option but a commitment to a more prosperous future.”
Meanwhile, Zubin Karkaria commented: “Our journey in the UAE, which began in 2004, has been defined by our strong commitment and unwavering connection to this nation and its inspiring leadership.”
“Over the past twenty years, we have witnessed the UAE’s remarkable growth and evolution into a prominent global center for business, intellectual leadership, technology, and innovation.”
He added: “In line with Dubai’s rapid development, we are delighted to celebrate the opening of the largest visa application center in this vibrant city during the ‘Year of Community,’ enabling us to serve residents representing over 200 nationalities worldwide.”
“Our aim is to provide them with a top-tier visa application experience, and through fruitful collaboration with creative individuals, entrepreneurs, and Emirati artists, this center showcases and reflects the rich culture of our nation, which we take pride in being the global center of our operations.”
Growing Demand
According to the group, this distinguished center was established to meet the increasing demand for international travel and accommodate the growing expectations for security, accessibility, and convenience, thereby setting a new global standard. It has also been designed to fulfill current and future travel requirements.
The center spans approximately 150,000 square feet and can handle up to 10,000 visa applications daily—making it the highest capacity among any center worldwide—with a diverse and qualified team of over 400 trained experts from more than 25 nationalities.
Optimal Service
With the growing travel demand from the UAE, specialized services, such as the Premium Lounge, have become the ideal choice for applicants seeking higher levels of comfort and luxury. Among the 200 application counters within the center, 79 are exclusively designated for the premium lounge.
This center is one of the few globally, including two in the UAE, offering the Platinum Lounge service, which includes private vehicle transportation and comprehensive assistance in a calm and modern environment.
Artificial Intelligence and Innovation
From real-time document verification to next-generation biometric technology, the Dubai center’s AI innovations enhance the speed, security, and efficiency of data processing.
Additionally, there is a digitization hub that transforms physical documents into secure digital records, along with a Global Resilience Center (GRC), ensuring 24/7 operational continuity, data protection, and uninterrupted service for all government partners.
VFS Global has integrated technology throughout every step of the applicant’s journey, revolutionizing the visa application experience. Visitors use QR codes for check-in and are guided by an advanced queue management system.
This intelligent system, combined with electronic displays and mobile updates, minimizes wait times and optimizes applicant flow—even during peak hours. By merging innovation with human expertise, the center reimagines the visa application process as smooth, transparent, and efficient.
H.E. Helal Al Marri:
This achievement reflects the advancement of Dubai’s infrastructure and its commitment to enhancing global mobility.
Major General Mohammed Al Marri:
We aim to establish the UAE as a global center for smart services while creating a unique model of efficiency and quality.
Zubin Karkaria:
Over two decades, we have observed the UAE’s growth and transformation into a global business hub.
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The new center caters to the increasing demand for international travel from the UAE, with a capacity to process 10,000 applications daily.
The center employs a qualified and diverse team of more than 400 trained experts from over 25 nationalities.