The Portuguese Ambassador to Mozambique, António Costa Moura, inaugurated a new Visa Application Center for Portugal last Friday.

The new Visa Application Center for Portugal, which has now opened, is located in the Maputo Business Tower, JAT, in downtown Maputo.

The inauguration took place in the presence of the Consul General of Portugal in Maputo, Fernando Morgado, along with other eminent dignitaries and representatives of VFS Global.

The new Visa Application Center for Portugal is a response to the increase in visa applications in 30% over the last year, from 15,000 to 20,000, said António Costa Moura at the inauguration.

"In addition to responding to growing demand, the center offers quality service, inclusive accessibility for people with disabilities and staff available to assist customers with special needs," says Moura.

For VFS Global's representative for Sub-Saharan Africa, Alok Singhal, the center is in line with the company's ongoing commitment to maintaining excellence in service standards at the Consulate General of Portugal in Maputo.

The center includes exclusive facilities and greater capacity with 12 counters available for sending visas to Portugal; additional staff with professional training available to meet the increased demand for visas; better seating; personalized service from a dedicated team with the 'Premium Lounge' service; assistance in filling in forms with specialists who complete the paperwork from start to finish online, among other services.