OREANDA-NEWS. November 19, 2009. The Embassy of France has launched a web-based appointment system for visa applications in Gomel. Its presentation took place in the city on 18 November.

Attending the presentation was Consul of France in Belarus Philippe le Corre, head of the visa section of the French Embassy Aurelien Verollet, representatives of the travel agencies.

According to Philippe le Corre, nearly 2,500 Gomel residents apply for a visa to the Embassy of France annually. With a new Internet-based system in operation, Gomel residents will not have to travel to Minsk to apply to the embassy. Visa applicants will need to visit the embassy to submit the documents and receive a visa. The new system has been installed at the Alatan Tour travel agency in Gomel. All travel operators of the Gomel oblast and also citizens will be able to use this service.

Philippe le Corre noted that the new electronic system will make the visa application process more comfortable for visa applicants and the personnel of the consular section. If the Gomel project proves successful, the new system will be launched in other regions of Belarus (Brest is next in line). As for the Belarusian capital, the Internet-based appointment system has been in operation since 2005. The innovation has significantly improved the visa application process.

According to the director of the MecaSoft International, Stephane Blusson, detailed information about visa application can be found at www.InfoVisaFrance.com. There one can find a calendar of available dates for making a visa interview appointment.