In a bold move to redefine global mobility, VFS Global has inaugurated its flagship Visa Application Centre in Dubai’s Wafi City, officially making it the largest visa application facility in the world. visa services in Dubai

The centre, which is designed to be future-ready, culturally rooted, and powered by AI, will serve 37 governments and marks a transformative moment in the evolution of visa services.

A Global Benchmark for the Future

Conceived as a next-generation global model, the Dubai centre sets unprecedented benchmarks in service excellence, security, and customer experience. Built to support the UAE’s booming outbound travel market, it boasts the capacity to process up to 10,000 visa applications daily, supported by over 200 submission counters and a team of 400+ trained professionals from more than 25 nationalities.

The inauguration was officiated by:

• His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism;
• His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai;
• Mr. Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO of VFS Global Group.

A Strategic Vision for Dubai

HE Helal Saeed Almarri highlighted the broader ambition behind the facility, stating:

“This milestone is more than an infrastructure achievement — it reflects the strategic direction Dubai is taking to enhance global mobility, unlock access to opportunity, and accelerate growth across our visitor and business economy. As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, strengthening seamless access to and from Dubai remains a priority. Visa facilitation is a key enabler of talent attraction, tourism development, and international partnerships — all essential levers of our strategy to position Dubai as the world’s most connected and future-ready city.”

Echoing this sentiment, HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri added:

“Today, we witnessed the inauguration of a new milestone in the journey of excellence pursued by the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, with the opening of the world’s largest Visa Application Centre, located in the heart of Dubai, a city that continuously redefines innovation. This achievement embodies a true reflection of the directives of our wise leadership towards strengthening the nation’s position as a global hub for smart services and establishing a unique model for delivering government services with high efficiency and quality. We believe that continuous development is not an option, but rather a commitment to a more prosperous future.”

VFS Global’s Two-Decade Journey in the UAE

Reflecting on the company’s long-standing commitment to the UAE, Zubin Karkaria noted:

“Operating in the UAE since 2004, our journey has been defined by our unwavering commitment and a deep-rooted connection with this dynamic nation and its visionary leadership. In these two decades we have witnessed the spectacular growth and development of the UAE to become a preeminent global hub of business, thought leadership, technology development and innovation.

In line with the rapid development of Dubai, today we are pleased to launch the world’s largest Visa Application Centre, serving over 200 nationalities in this Year of Community. Working closely with Emirati Entrepreneurs and Emirati Artists, the centre captures and reflects the multicultural fabric of the country that we are proud to call our Global Headquarters.”

Designed for the Traveller of Tomorrow

Covering nearly 150,000 square feet, the facility’s comprehensive features make it a true one-stop destination for visa applicants:

• Tech-enabled self-service kiosks, secure lockers, photo booths, and photocopy stations for last-minute needs.
• Touchscreen info kiosks, QR code-based check-ins, and automated feedback at each desk.
• Tablet-equipped staff and trained volunteers for seamless form and kiosk support.
• Airport-style navigation, spacious waiting zones, buggy service, prayer rooms, kids’ play areas, and convenience zones.
• ESG-compliant design, fast-track lanes for seniors, families, and persons with disabilities.

With the growing demand for premium services, the centre includes 79 Premium Lounge counters and two Platinum Lounge areas — rare even globally — that offer amenities such as chauffeur service, end-to-end application support, and a tranquil, modern setting.

Innovation at the Core

Innovation is central to the centre’s operations. Key highlights include:

• AI Innovation Hub that supports real-time document validation and next-generation biometrics.
• Digitization Centre to securely transform paper documents into digital records.
• Global Resilience Center (GRC) ensuring 24/7 uptime, operational continuity, and data security for partner governments.

Using QR-based e-tokens and an advanced queue management system, the facility significantly reduces wait times and improves flow, even at full capacity.

“By marrying innovation with human expertise, the centre reimagines visa application as a seamless, transparent, and efficient process.”

Embodying the Vision of ‘We the UAE 2031’

The facility aligns with the UAE Government’s ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision and supports the Year of Community 2025, blending world-class technology with Emirati cultural installations that celebrate Dubai’s diverse communities.

This strategic investment reflects a broader paradigm shift — where technology meets tradition to deliver a secure, connected, and community-centric future for global mobility.

About VFS Global visa services in Dubai

VFS Global is the global leader in trusted technology services, enabling secure mobility for governments and citizens. The company manages visa, passport, and consular service tasks for 69 client governments and operates 3,616 application centers in 158 countries, having processed over 461 million applications since 2001.

Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, VFS Global is majority-owned by Blackstone Inc., with minority stakes held by the Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation.