French embassy simplifies visa process for Tanzanian travelers

Dar es Salaam. The French Embassy has partnered with a visa application centre, TLScontact, to streamline the visa application process for Tanzanians wishing to travel to France.

The collaboration aims to make it easier and more efficient for applicants to obtain the necessary documentation, ensuring a smooth and supportive experience.

TLScontact is the official service provider to submit client applications for a visa to various countries.

French ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Anne-Sophie Ave said on Thursday November 7, 2024 at the official launch of French visa service, that by working with TLScontact, the French Embassy is committed to enhancing the quality of service, minimising wait times, and improving the overall accessibility of visa services.

"When clients come to the embassy, it takes significant time to welcome them, keep them waiting, and then begin the process. After receiving their documentation, capturing biometric data can take around 15 minutes per person. When multiplied by the number of people visiting the consulate each day, this amounts to a substantial portion of time that we can't use to thoroughly review applications and issue visas," she said.

"By shifting the time-consuming parts of the process to TLSContact, we're optimistic that we’ll be able to process more visas, allowing more people to secure appointments with shorter waiting times. We’ll review the results in a few weeks to see if we’re on track, but we’re hopeful that clients will soon be able to get an appointment within a few weeks and receive their visa within two weeks," she added.

Ms Ave explained that, under the current system, clients often wait up to three months without securing an appointment despite planning travel only a month in advance. This results in travellers spending weeks to obtain a visa.