Tag Archives: Norway

Germany to roll out Digital Schengen visas for Indians

At a time, when visitations from India to its shores are at a record-high, Germany will be rolling out Digital Schengen visas for Indian nationals by the second quarter of 2025, said its Chennai-based Consul General Michaela Küchler.

In 2023, German diplomatic missions in India issued more than 1.8 lakh (180,000) Schengen Visas to Indians, and for 2024 the number is expected to surpass the 2 lakh (200,000) mark, as per a Wion report by Siddharth MP.

She added that the total time for obtaining a Schengen Visa (including appointment wait time and processing time) from a German mission takes less than four weeks for applicants from Southern India.

Schengen region refers to Europe’s passport-free zone covering most European countries. The largest free travel area in the world, it spans 29 countries that have abolished their internal borders to allow the unrestricted movement of people. Schengen visas allow the holder to travel freely in the Schengen region for a maximum of 90 days in any 180 days. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work.

The 29 Schengen countries are Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
(Source: Wion)

VFS Global has expanded its footprint across the world and is a name to reckon with in visa processing.

VFS Global processes its 300 millionth application

VFS Global has crossed the 300 million applications milestone. It is notable that the last 100 million applications have been achieved in the past 5 years despite the pandemic-driven travel slow-down of 2020-2022. In 2023 alone, the company processed 24.1 million applications, 35% more than 2022. (Source: ISR 2023), and between January to May 2024, it has processed approximately 100,000 applications a day.

Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group, said, “We are very pleased and honoured with the achievement of this milestone, which is a testament to the trust 69 governments have in VFS Global, and a testament to the reliable, secure and innovative services we provide across 153 countries. We are also deeply grateful to all visa applicants using our services. Over the past year we are honoured to have won several important contracts, including becoming the exclusive overseas visa outsourcing partner for UK Visas and DHA Australia, and contracts with Germany, Finland, Portugal and Japan who have renewed their trust in us. We remain deeply committed to continuing investments in technology and human capital development to ensure continuous enhancement of our services.”

From managing 60 client governments in 2019, VFS Global is the trusted partner of 69 governments with comprising long term partnerships with 25 governments for over 15 years. Last year, VFS Global was honoured to have won a record seven global visa outsourcing contracts – for UK, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Iceland, and Austria – further cementing client governments’ trust in the organisation’s highly secure, efficient, and innovative solutions and its overall value proposition.

Innovation and technology being a founding pillar for VFS Global, a company that conceptualised and created the business segment of outsourced visa services with its inception in 2001. For instance, the company has introduced 16 unique digital solutions and built robust end-to-end eVisa platforms for 12 sovereign governments. Likewise, it pioneered biometric capabilities another stellar example of innovation and adapting to changing market dynamics. VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 140 million biometric enrolments since 2007. Today as more governments look to integrating biometric enrollment in their visa application process, VFS Global has further developed its capabilities with Multi-Mission Model (MMM) biometric kits.

Schengen visa holders can travel to 2 more countries in Europe from Jan 2025

Romania and Bulgaria are set to become full members of the Schengen Area as early as January 2025, according to Hungarian officials. This follows years of partial inclusion, with the two Balkan nations joining the European Union in 2007, but only gaining limited access to the Schengen Area until March 2023.

While air and maritime border checks were removed, land borders remained restricted due to concerns over illegal migration, mainly from Austria, which had blocked their full entry into the zone. However, after recent talks between the interior ministers of Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania in Budapest, Austria lifted its opposition, clearing the path for a final decision by EU interior ministers in December 2024.

Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér confirmed that Romania and Bulgaria are now “one step closer” to full membership, with a key milestone being the deployment of at least 100 border guards along the Bulgaria-Turkey border.

This development marks a major turning point in Schengen expansion, with EU officials, including Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, welcoming the progress. They emphasized that Romania and Bulgaria now “fully belong” to the Schengen Area, with Johansson noting that this is a step toward greater freedom for the citizens of both nations.

For travellers with Schengen visas, Romania and Bulgaria’s full inclusion will expand the zone, allowing seamless access to two more countries without additional border checks. This integration will simplify travel across Europe, enhancing tourism and trade in the region.
With Romania and Bulgaria joining, the Schengen Area—currently comprising 23 EU member states plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein—will become even more accessible to travellers starting in January 2025.

Goa International Travel Market throws the spotlight on regenerative tourism

The first day of the Goa International Travel Mart (GITM) 2024 commenced at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium with an air of excitement and anticipation as industry leaders, government officials, and tourism enthusiasts gathered to witness the unveiling of a new era in Goa’s tourism landscape.

A notable focus of this year’s GITM was on regenerative tourism, a paradigm shift towards sustainable practices that prioritise the restoration and revitalisation of local ecosystems and communities.

The day kicked off with the grand inauguration of the Goa Tourism stall, a symbol of the state’s commitment to showcasing its rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings. The stall was inaugurated by Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism & Managing Director GTDC, Parag Rangnekar, Member of the Goa Tourism Board, Jack Sukheeja, President-elect of TTAG, Ralph Desouza, Chairman of Desouza Group of Hotels, Mark Mendes, Member of the Goa Tourism Board, Carlos Desouza, Convenor of CII, Deepak Narvekar, and Deputy General Manager of GTDC, alongside other esteemed dignitaries.

Following the inauguration, attendees were treated to a thought-provoking knowledge-sharing session by Travel Trends with a focus on Regenerative Tourism, exploring the evolving landscape of tourism in Goa. This session provided valuable insights into emerging trends and strategies for driving Goa’s tourism industry forward.

The highlight of the day was the keynote address by Anchipaka, shedding light on the topic of Regenerative Tourism. With a focus on sustainability and responsible travel practices, he outlined Goa’s vision for a tourism sector that not only thrives but also preserves the state’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

“With a steadfast focus on sustainability and responsible travel practices, we envision a tourism sector that is not just economically prosperous but also environmentally and socially conscious. Our commitment to Regenerative Tourism goes beyond mere preservation; it encompasses a holistic approach that seeks to regenerate and rejuvenate our ecosystems, communities, and cultural traditions. Our vision for Goa’s tourism sector is one that harmonizes with nature, respects local cultures, and fosters meaningful connections between visitors and our communities. By embracing Regenerative Tourism, we not only enhance the visitor experience but also ensure the long-term sustainability of our tourism industry.”

With a robust turnout of 65 international buyers and 80 domestic buyers, GITM 2024 has attracted a diverse array of participants from around the globe, including delegates from different parts of India, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Norway, Thailand, Czech Republic, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Zimbabwe, Finland, Nepal, Kuwait, South Africa, Spain, France, Turkey, Slovakia, Netherlands, Belgium, Russian Federation, Vietnam, Kenya, Oman, Bahrain, Hungary, Australia, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Singapore, and more.

As the curtains close on the first day of GITM 2024, anticipation mounts for the 2nd day ahead, filled with more enriching sessions, productive engagements, and exciting opportunities to shape the future of tourism in Goa and beyond.

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.

SBI Research Points to UP’s Spiritual Tourism & Ram Temple as Key Drivers of India’s Economic Growth

In a report released on January 21, SBI Research sheds light on the potential economic surge in India, attributing it to the country’s focus on spiritual tourism, particularly through initiatives like the Centre’s Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme. Uttar Pradesh (UP) is positioned to lead this economic wave, boosted by state-level efforts and the newly-opened Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The report emphasises the considerable impact on India’s economy, with UP’s initiatives and the Ram Temple project estimated to contribute an additional tax revenue of INR 25,000 per annum for the state in the fiscal year 2025, driven by an expected increase in visitor numbers.

Spiritual tourism has been a transformative force in UP’s tourism landscape, resulting in upgraded physical and digital infrastructure, improved connectivity, and a substantial uptick in travel to historical sites.

UP, known for its revered destinations like the Ganga River, Varanasi, the Taj Mahal, and the recently inaugurated Ram Temple, has experienced a significant boost in domestic tourism. In 2022, an estimated 32 crore tourists visited the state, with Ayodhya alone witnessing a footfall of 2.21 crore. The collective expenditure by these tourists surpassed INR 2 lakh crore.

Foreign tourists, ranking UP as the fifth most visited state in India, contributed an additional INR 10,500 crore to the state’s economy, positioning UP for substantial economic gains.

The report underscores UP’s crucial role in India’s ambitious target of achieving a USD 5 trillion economy by fiscal year 2028. Projections suggest that UP, along with Maharashtra, will collectively contribute 10 per cent to India’s GDP and surpass the $500 billion mark by 2027, signifying India’s ascent to the third position in the global economy.

Highlighting UP’s economic prowess, the report notes its potential to surpass the economic output of European countries like Norway and Hungary by 2027. In FY23, UP contributed over 10 per cent to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA), showcasing growth opportunities in services, industry, and agriculture.

UP’s notable achievements in exports, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.1 per cent in FY2013-23, exceeding the national average, further solidify its promising trajectory in India’s economic landscape.