Tag Archives: application

VFS Global launches Indonesia e-VoA platform for 97 countries, including India

 

VFS Global has launched a new online platform to streamline the application process for Indonesia’s Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA). The platform is available to nationals from 97 countries, including India, making it easier for travellers to apply for an e-VoA before their journey. This innovative system allows applicants to complete the entire visa application process online, receiving a pre-approved e-VoA before departure, which facilitates a smoother and quicker entry into Indonesia, bypassing the long immigration queues at international airports and seaports.

The e-VoA platform is designed to be user-friendly and accessible via both desktop and mobile devices. Travellers can submit all necessary documents, make payments online, and receive their pre-approved e-VoA via email, which allows them to enter Indonesia via E-gates or immigration counters. This reduces the time spent at immigration, ensuring that the process is more efficient and less stressful. The platform also includes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, which automatically populates application details, making it easier for travellers to complete their submissions.

VFS Global’s new system also offers a group booking feature, which is especially beneficial for travel agents and tour operators managing multiple e-VoA applications. With the inclusion of support in seven languages—English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, German, and French—travellers can get assistance for any queries they may have during the application process. VFS Global plans to expand language support in the future to cater to a broader audience.

This initiative is part of the Indonesian government’s efforts to promote inbound tourism and enhance its tourism infrastructure ahead of its goal to attract 14 million visitors by 2025. VFS Global has also set up dedicated tourism promotion kiosks in cities such as Dubai, Mumbai, and Shanghai, and is planning to expand to Australia. These steps aim to make Indonesia more accessible and attract more visitors, simplifying the entry process for international travellers.

VFS Global Wins Seven Global Contracts in 2023, Reinforcing Its Global Leadership

Including new global contract with the Government of UK for services across 142 countries, and global contracts with Governments of Australia, Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Iceland and Austria

VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, significantly added to its business footprint in 2023. Building on its trusted partnership, the company won seven global contracts from the governments of the UK, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Iceland and Austria.

Among the most significant wins of 2023 was being awarded a global contract for UK visas and citizenship services. In 2024, VFS Global will deploy 240 Visa and Citizenship Application Service (VCAS) Centres for the UK in 142 countries across Africa & Middle East, Americas, Australasia & Europe, China & Taiwan, and Asia & Asia Pacific regions catering to an estimated 3.8 million applicants every year, aiding cross border mobility. This is a significant win also because the contract awards VFS Global with 84 new countries of service for UK Visas and Citizenship Service in addition to the 58 countries that VFS Global already serve.

Another major contract for the visa service provider was the global biometric collection service awarded by the Department of Home Affairs, Australia across seven regions comprising Americas, Mekong, Middle East and North Africa, North Asia, Pacific, South Asia and Southeast Asia. According to the agreement, VFS Global’s core services include Biometric Collection and Identity Verification, Digital Assistance with online visa applications submission and Online Payment Assistance on the Department’s ImmiAccount portal.

Similarly, the Swedish Ministry of Justice and the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have awarded global tenders to provide Sweden visa services in 37 countries, and Norway visa and residence permit services in 52 countries respectively. Earlier in the year, Latvia, Iceland and Austria too renewed the global visa services mandates with VFS Global.

“These significant contract wins are a testament of our trusted partnership with these client governments and our commitment to customer service excellence. It is also an opportunity to contribute to a larger purpose of restoring travellers’ confidence through technology-led, seamless, highly secure and reliable solutions and playing a key role in reviving global travel momentum,” said Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global.

In 2024, VFS Global will continue to focus on enhancing customer service and business excellence through investments in human capital development and technology.

Korea Visa Application Centres start operations in Chennai and Bengaluru

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai, India, launched its new and spacious visa application centres in Chennai and Bengaluru from September 01 2023 for the convenience of travellers in that region.

Travellers to South Korea from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu will now be able to submit their applications with ease for all visa categories, including express visa applications, at these state-of-the-art South Korea visa application centres (KVACs) from Monday to Friday, 9AM to 1PM for individuals, 9AM to 12PM for travel agents, 10AM to 3PM for passport collection.

Operated with assistance from VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, these KVACs also offer optional services for discerning set of applicants.

The Embassy is already operating KVACs in New Delhi and Kolkata since 2011.

South Korea is promoting tourism from India to the East Asian country in a big way as the two countries commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between them.

Tourism from India to South Korea had been increasing by leaps and bounds until 2019 but has declined due to Covid-19 and various other factors. As part of the ongoing marketing plans for 2023 to boost tourism, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) India office recently launched a special K-incentive Scheme to boost sales of Korea travel packages for travel agents in India. In addition to Seoul, regional tourist destinations like Busan, Gangwon and Jellanam-do provinces are also being promoted amongst Indian travellers.

Applying for visa? How to Avoid and Detect Frauds?

The meteoric surge in outbound travel from India has opened a gateway for not just globe-trotting Indians but also for a shadowy underbelly of scam artists. As more Indians give in to their wanderlust in what’s termed as ‘revenge travel’, many find themselves at the mercy of fraudsters preying on the increased demand for visa appointments.

Following Q&A from VFS Global will equip travellers with the knowledge and tools to identify and avoid visa scams to ensure a safe and hassle-free trip!

Q1. Do you need to pay for booking visa appointments?

VFS Global does not charge any payment for scheduling visa appointments for countries it serves. Appointments are free of cost and can be booked only on www.vfsglobal.com. You may have to prepay an approved service fee for select countries.

Q2. What is your role in visa decision-making?

VFS Global has no role or influence on the decision of your visa application. Decisions on visa applications, the visa tenure, and timelines to process them are at the sole discretion of the respective embassies/consulates. VFS Global manages only the administrative and non-judgmental aspects of the visa application process.

Q3. Does the company work with third-party entities to offer visa services?

VFS Global does not work in association with any third-party entities. Beware of scammers and fraudulent entities who claim to be associated with VFS Global in any capacity or pose as VFS Global to dupe unsuspecting visa applicants.

Q4. Where can I go to book visa appointments?

www.vfsglobal.com is the only official website to book visa appointment for the countries we serve. Appointments are free of cost. You may have to prepay an approved VFS Global service fee for select countries.

Q5. Does the company seek personal information via social media, emails, SMS, or calls?

VFS Global never asks visa applicants to share personal information via social media, emails, SMS, or calls. Beware of scammers and fraudulent entities who pose as VFS Global employees to dupe unsuspecting visa applicants. Please do not share your personal information with anyone unless you are certain the person or organisation requesting it is legitimate.

Q6. Does VFS Global demand upfront payments via email, call, or SMS?

VFS Global never asks visa aspirants to make any upfront payments via mail, phone, or SMS to proceed with their applications. If you have been asked to make payments to personal accounts to expedite your visa application process, you may be interacting with a scamster. VFS Global encourages applicants to be wary of any such fraudulent messages or calls from unknown entities or third parties claiming their visa application is stalled. Payments should only be made through our official website (www.vfsglobal.com) or at our Visa Application Centre.

Q7. Does VFS Global provide immigration and job services?

VFS Global does not provide immigration and job services. Applicants are advised to beware of scammers looking to trick job seekers or immigration aspirants with fake job or immigration opportunities respectively in lieu of payments.

To report any incident of fraud, please send an email to SpeakUp@vfsglobal.com or Communications@vfsglobal.com.