Visas issued by German Consulate in Chennai to cross 20,000 this year

COIMBATORE: Visas issued by the Consulate General of Germany in Chennai is expected to cross 20,000 this year as against 18,000 in 2014, a top diplomat said today.

The consulate is expecting an increase of 15 per cent, particularly in trade and business visas, over last year's figure of 18,000, which includes 1,300 student visas, Martin Rojek, Consular Attache, visa section, told reporters here.

Tamil Nadu, with 70 to 75 per cent, topped in issuance of visas from the consulate, which covers the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry, he said.

Martin said the consulate would launch its 'Roll Out region 20' in India on November 2, by which fingerprints would be made mandatory for visa processing.

The fingerprints would be valid for five years and there would be no need to take it for each trip, he said.

To a question on opening a fingerprint centre here, Martin said there was no immediate plan for it, but efforts would be taken to set up the centre.

On security of students who are going to Germany, he said that 15 per cent of foreign students in Germany helped in creating a good environment and were adjusting themselves.