Top Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal on Tuesday, 8 October, said her visa application was being processed and she is hoping to get the same in time for her participation in the Denmark Open tournament, starting 15 October.
"Got the visa application processed today in Hyderabad. Thanks @sanjg2k1 (Home Ministry official) for making the impossible happen & @VFSGlobal for going the extra mile along with @DenmarkinIndia even on a holiday! Hope to get the visa in time for flight on Friday," Saina tweeted on Tuesday.
The Olympic bronze-medallist had 7 October tweeted saying that she was facing visa issues ahead of her participation in the Denmark Open. She had the sought help of External Affairs Ministry and the Denmark Embassy in India to sort out the matter.
She said in her tweet, “I have an urgent request regarding visa for me and my trainer to Denmark. I have a tournament next week in Odense and we don’t have our visas processed yet . Our matches are starting on Tuesday next week @DrSJaishankar @MEAQuery @DenmarkinIndia #danisadenmarkopen2019.”
VFS Global said in a statement that for Denmark visa applications, it is mandatory for all applicants to appear in person.
"Today as per instruction of the Embassy, VFS Global opened the Hyderabad visa application centre to ensure that Ms Nehwal is able to visit in person to submit her biometrics... Danish Embassy decides on the application process and takes the decision not the VFS Global,” they said.
The Denmark Open will be played at Odense from 15 to 20 October. The 29-year-old Saina had finished runner-up in the tournament in 2018, losing to Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu-Ying in the final.
(With inputs from PTI)
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