Tag Archives: visa applications

‘Visa demand rises in tandem with outbound travel growth’

At a time when outbound travel is seeing a surge a fact well supplemented by the growth in visas, Yummi Talwar, COO – South Asia, VFS Global spoke to Disha Shah Ghosh about this trend, and the segments that are driving traffic abroad.

Q. What is your overview of the outbound travel market considering your half yearly performance of 2024?
In recent years, the Indian outbound market has experienced remarkable growth, and its upward trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. According to a joint study by FICCI and Nangia NXT, this market is poised to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.4%, reaching a staggering USD 55.39 billion by 2034. This reflects not only the growing affluence of Indian travellers, but also their increasing aspiration for global experiences.

A significant driver of this growth is the rising number of Indian students seeking educational opportunities abroad. The Indian Student Mobility Report 2023 reveals that 1,090,000 students travelled overseas in 2019. By 2022, this number had surged to approximately 1,320,000, and projections indicate that by 2025, around 2 million Indian students will be pursuing higher education in foreign institutions.

Mirroring this trend, VFS Global saw its application volumes in the first half of this year exceed pre-pandemic levels by 2%, with an 11% growth in the same period in 2023. It highlights VFS Global’s role in supporting India’s growing global mobility.

Q. What are the factors driving the growth in visa applications from India?
The demand for overseas travel from India has surged, driven by leisure, business, Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR), employment, and student travel. Rising disposable income and increased spending power are key factors, with Indians ranking among the top spenders in many destinations.

Student travel, a rapidly growing segment, is outpacing other categories. The expanding Indian diaspora is also contributing to the growth, particularly in the VFR segment. Looking ahead, this trend is expected to continue well into 2025, indicating sustained growth in India’s outbound travel market. These are key reasons that are driving the growth of visa applications from India.
As a market leader and trusted partner to 68 governments, VFS Global’s unique value proposition has enabled governments to focus solely on the critical visa decision-making process and helped significantly in driving cross border mobility benefiting visa applicants worldwide.

Q. Do you see Indians opting for visa free or visa on arrival destinations amid delay in obtaining visas?
The choice of a travel destination is influenced by several factors beyond the visa process, such as the destination’s appeal and whether the traveller has visited before. With the Indian outbound travel market growing at a promising CAGR of 11.4%, destinations are actively working to attract these travellers, offering a wide range of expanding travel opportunities.

For a smooth visa application process, we recommend applicants review the checklist available on our website before applying. As a trusted partner to governments, VFS Global handles the front-end administrative tasks, ensuring a reliable and efficient process. However, it’s important to note that we play no role in visa decisions, which are solely made by the respective embassies or consulates.

Q. How are you engaging with the travel trade in India?
In India, travel agents are critical partners in the travel ecosystem, playing a vital role in guiding clients through the visa application process. We regularly communicate with them about any updates or new requirements mandated by the 52 client governments we serve in India.

We deeply value our collaboration with major travel associations like TAAI, TAFI, and ETAA. We advise them to avoid fraudulent entities that charge for scheduling appointments, which are freely available on our website. We also encourage agents to advise their clients to apply for visas well in advance, considering the processing times of different governments.

At the local level, we engage with agents to address region-specific issues and offer solutions within our services. We consistently emphasise that our role is limited to handling the front end of the visa process, a message well understood by our partners.

 

Visa applications in India surpass pre-pandemic volumes in H1 2024

Robust pent-up demand for outbound travel from India for the first time went past the pre-pandemic levels in H1 2024 (January to June 2024). According to VFS Global that manages visa applications for 52 countries from India, the volumes recorded in H1 2024, surpassed the same period in 2019 by 2%. It also witnessed a steady 11% YoY growth in application counts over H1 2023.

“Outbound travel demand from India has remained robust and it was a matter of time that pre-pandemic levels were restored. India has been witnessing an extended travel season over the past two years and we are confident the momentum would last till the year-end. We remain committed to providing exceptional customer service through technology-led, seamless, highly secure and reliable solutions,” said Yummi Talwar, COO – (South Asia), VFS Global.

Talwar emphasised the importance of applicants being cautious of counterfeit websites and fraudulent social media pages that pose as VFS Global and offer appointments in exchange of money.

“Appointments are free and are exclusively available through www.vfsglobal.com on a first-come, first-served basis. As a responsible service provider, we persist in raising awareness about this concern and encourage applicants to arrange their travel plans well in advance.”

Some of the popular destinations comprise Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, USA and UK. (in alphabetical order).

The preference for tailored services persisted as a predominant trend in visa application behaviours. VFS Global noted a significant increase in the demand for personalised services such as Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD). This premium optional service allows applicants to manage the full visa application submission from their homes or any preferred location, including biometric enrolment. VAYD bookings in H1 2024 in India registered around five-fold increase when compared to 2019 as a well YoY increase of 16% over H1 2023. VFS Global provides its VAYD services for 16 nations within India, including Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the UK.

“The preference for personalized services like VAYD has increased among travelers post-pandemic due to health reasons. These offerings improve the visa application process by providing additional comfort and convenience. We anticipate a growing demand for these premium services that emphasize secure travel within this year as well,” added Talwar.

VFS Global is the trusted partner to 52 sovereign governments in India and provides visa services on their behalf through a network of over 560 visa application centres spread across 19 cities. VFS Global’s role in the visa application process is limited to front-end administrative tasks only, which include collecting visa application forms, required documentation as per the checklist, and enrol biometrics, if applicable. VFS Global has no role in the decision-making process of granting or refusing a visa.

 

VFS Global to service Algeria visa in India, Nepal & Sri Lanka

VFS Global has been appointed to manage submission and collection for Algeria visa applications in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Commencing on September 1, 2024, VFS Global will begin accepting visa applications for Algeria across categories at its application centers located in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kathmandu, and Colombo.

This development is set to significantly simplify the process for applicants in India who, until now, only had the option to submit applications through the Algeria Embassy in Delhi.

Applicants benefit from a variety of submission centres and the convenience of walk-in service to turn in their applications, cover the visa costs, and receive their visa within 6 business days. The visa types available encompass Business Visa, Tourist Visa, Work Visa, Temporary Work Visa, Family Visa, Cultural Visa, and accommodating a wide range of travel purposes.

“It’s both a pleasure and a privilege to earn the confidence and acknowledgment from the Embassy of the People s Democratic Republic of Algeria, with this mandate. Algeria is a promising nation, and we are dedicated to delivering unparalleled customer service by implementing cutting-edge, seamless, secure, and dependable solutions,” stated Yummi Talwar, COO, South Asia, VFS Global.

With this award VFS Global caters to 69 client government globally and 54 in India. Approximately 3,000 India travellers visit Algeria every year.

BLS International signs sontract with Poland Embassy for visa outsourcing in the Philippines

BLS International has signeda significant contract with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the Philippines to provide comprehensive visa outsourcing services. This agreement marks a milestone in enhancing the visa application process for travellers to Poland from the Philippines.

Under this partnership, BLS International will play a pivotal role in managing Poland’s visa processing operations, optimising efficiency, and enhancing the overall experience for applicants. The scope of the service includes handling both Schengen and National visa applications. Applicants can submit their applications for Polish Schengen and national visas at two dedicated visa centers located in Manila and Cebu.

Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International, said, “We are elated to announce this pivotal partnership with the Embassy of Poland, a milestone that underscores our global mission to revolutionize the visa application process. This contract enables us to deliver our advanced visa services in the Philippines, reinforcing our dedication to simplifying international travel. With our unparalleled expertise and innovative technology, we are fully equipped to support the Embassy’s goals, ensuring travellers a superior and effortless experience.”

Visa application volume from Mumbai sees 30% YoY growth in 2023, recovers to 90% of pre-pandemic level

Visa application volumes from Mumbai in 2023 remained strong and closed in further to the pre-pandemic levels with restoration of travellers’ confidence to explore global destinations. According to VFS Global, the visa application volume from Mumbai registered a 30% year-on-year growth in 2023. When compared to the pre-pandemic numbers, visa application volumes from Mumbai reached 90% of the 2019 levels.

The demand pattern in Mumbai was in line with the overall growth trend registered in India, which saw a 16% year-on-year in visa applications in 2023. In comparison to the pre-pandemic numbers, visa application volumes from India reached 93% of the 2019 levels.

“We continued to witness robust demand from India and the entire South Asia region in 2022 which led to an extended peak outbound travel season with steady volumes witnessed throughout the year. We remain committed to providing exceptional customer service through technology-led, seamless, highly secure and reliable solutions,” said Sharad Gowani, Head – West India, VFS Global.

Gowani added that applicants must of wary of fake websites/social media pages impersonating VFS Global and selling appointments in exchange of money. “Appointments are free and available only on www.vfsglobal.com on first come; first serve basis. As a responsible service provider, we will continue to create awareness against the menace and urge applicants to plan their travel early.”

A few of the popular destinations preferred by travellers from India in 2023 were Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, UK, US (in alphabetical order).

Strong demand for personalised services continued to be a defining trend in the 2023 visa application patterns as well. VFS Global recorded a strong uptick in customised services such as the Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) service that empowers applicants to complete their entire visa application submission process from the comfort of their homes or any other location of their choice. Through this premium service, customers can submit their applications, enroll for biometrics, and get their passport couriered back to their location of choice. VAYD bookings in 2023 in India registered around five-fold increase when compared to 2019. VFS Global offers VAYD services for 16 countries in India – Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Switzerland, and UK.

Similarly, the demand for Premium Lounge, an optional service which provides end-to-end personalised assistance with visa application submission from the comfort of a lounge, is rising with the rise in application volumes. Another service named Prime Time, which allows visa application submission outside of working hours and even on weekends, has seen a healthy adoption since pandemic.

Please note that all these premium services are optional and has no bearing in expediting applicant’s visa process or favourable decision-making.

“We continue to see a healthy adoption of contactless and personalised services such as VAYD and Premium Lounge by discerning travellers post the pandemic due to health considerations. These services enhance the overall experience for applicants by offering them greater comfort and convenience when submitting their visa applications. We foresee higher demand for such premium services prioritising safe travel this year as well,” added Gowani.

Visa application volume from New Delhi sees 10% YoY growth in 2023, recovers to 82% of pre-pandemic level: VFS Global

Visa application volumes from New Delhi continued to stay strong in 2023 and closed in further to the pre-pandemic levels with restoration of travellers’ confidence to explore global destinations and easing of travel restrictions. According to VFS Global, the visa application volume from New Delhi registered a 10% year-on-year growth in 2023. When compared to the pre-pandemic numbers, visa application volumes from New Delhi reached 82% of the 2019 levels.

This trend of rise in visa application volume from New Delhi is in line with the overall growth trend registered in India, which saw a 16% year-on-year growth in 2023. When compared to the pre-pandemic numbers, visa application volumes from India reached 93% of the 2019 levels.

Vishal Jairath, Head – South Asia, VFS Global, said, “We continued to witness unprecedented demand from India and the entire South Asia region in 2023 which led to an extended peak outbound travel season with steady visa application volumes witnessed until December. We are confident that this positive travel momentum will sustain in 2024 as well. Thus, applicants who are planning to travel overseas from India are advised to apply for their visas well in advance to avoid the last-minute rush.”

A few of the popular destinations preferred by travellers from India in 2023 were Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the UK, the US (in alphabetical order).

Strong demand for personalised services continued to be a defining trend in the 2023 visa application patterns as well. VFS Global recorded a strong uptick in customised services such as the Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) service that empowers applicants to complete their entire visa application submission process from the comfort of their homes or any other location of their choice.

Through this premium service, customers can submit their applications, enroll for biometrics, and get their passport couriered back to their location of choice. VAYD bookings in 2023 in India registered around five-fold increase when compared to 2019. VFS Global offers VAYD services for 16 countries in India – Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the UK.

Similarly, the demand for Premium Lounge, an optional service which provides end-to-end personalised assistance with visa application submission from the comfort of a lounge, is rising with the rise in application volumes. Another service named Prime Time, which allows visa application submission outside of working hours and even on weekends, has seen a healthy adoption since pandemic.

“We continue to see a healthy adoption of contactless and personalised services such as VAYD and Premium Lounge by discerning travellers post the pandemic due to health considerations. These services enhance the overall experience for applicants by offering them greater comfort and convenience when submitting their visa applications. We foresee higher demand for such premium services prioritising safe travel this year as well,” added Jairath.

VFS Global is the trusted partner to 52 sovereign governments in India and provides visa services on their behalf through a network of over 560 visa application centres spread across 19 cities.