Visas for ITB Berlin to be issued from embassy in Lanka as before

Plans to establish a temporary biometric center in Male’ City to issue visas for Maldivians visiting Germany for the world’s largest tourism trade fair – ITB Berlin – has been cancelled, says Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The temporary biometric center, which would have allowed Maldivians to apply for a Schengen visa, was scheduled to open this Wednesday.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the cancellation of the plans to establish the center in a tweet last Tuesday.

The ministry said that those who have already booked appointments will be contacted and refunded by VFS Global.

“Applicants are advised to apply for visa from Colombo, as per usual,” said the ministry in its tweet.

Temporary biometric centre in Male’ for Germany Visa has been cancelled. @VFSGlobal will contact and refund the applicants who have booked appointments. Applicants are advised to apply for visa from Colombo, as per usual.

— MFA Maldives (@MDVForeign) February 6, 2018

The cancellation of the plans to establish a temporary biometric center comes amid week-long political turmoil in the country, and the declaration of State of Emergency on Monday.

ITB Berlin is scheduled to begin in March, and will be attended by a large number of Maldivians.