How can VFS Global help you?
Use VFS Global’s value-added services for a smooth process VFS Global offers a range of additional services, designed to help you at every step of the visa application process. Whether you require assistance with your application, or need a visa on priority, we are happy to help.
How does the visa processing service (VFS) work?
It is world's largest outsourcing along with technology specialist services company. How does it work: VFS collects all the applications along with required documents from the passengers / travel agents and forward it to respective Embassy / Consulate for processing visa in sealed envelop.
How many countries does VFS Global serve?
By 2005 VFS Global served eleven governments – including the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. In 2007 it won its first global account from UK Visas and Immigration for operations across 33 countries.
Is VFS Global exploiting vulnerable visa applicants?
In 2019, the British Home Office was "deluged" by complaints from customers applying for visas using VFS Global, many of whom accused the company "of exploiting vulnerable applicants for profit."
What is the purpose of VFS?
Profile. VFS Global is the world's largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages the administrative and non-judgmental tasks related to visa, passport and consular services for its client governments.
How long does a visa take VFS?
Applications are processed in the order of receipt. Processing usually takes 15 business days from receipt by the Embassy of a complete application and may take longer during peak times and in exceptional circumstances.
How can I get VFS visa?
Collection can be done on behalf of applicants: the acknowledgement receipt issued by VAC, and the completed authorization letter signed by the applicant along with a copy of the representative's ID card needs to be presented at the time of collection.
How much is the VFS visa fee?
The cost of the VFS service fees is 31.5 EUR per visa applicant (in local currency, this amount is approximately USD $38).
How do I know if my visa is approved VFS?
Once your application is submitted, you can track its progress through VFS Global's online tracking service. The status will be updated as and when your passport is ready for collection/delivery. Please be advised that VFS Global cannot track your application while it is being assessed within an embassy or consulate.
How do I know if my visa is approved?
Check the Status of a Visa Application For nonimmigrant visas, call 1-603-334-0888. Or use the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
What happens at VFS visa appointment?
Your fingerprint scan and facial scan will be captured. A digital fingerprint scanner will collect images of all 10 fingers, and at the same time a digital photo will be captured. This is a quick, discreet and non-intrusive process. Your digital photograph must show your full face.
How do I submit my passport to VFS?
In person – You'll have to bring your original passport, passport bio page (2 copies), along with the passport request letter to the Visa Application Centre. To submit your passport at the Visa Application Centre, you'll have to pay a service charge for Package Transmission.
What happens if visa gets rejected?
If denied a visa, in most cases the applicant is notified of the section of law which applies. Visa applicants are also advised by the consular officer if they may apply for a waiver of their ineligibility. Several of the most common reasons for visa ineligibilities are explained below.
How do you pay for VFS?
VISA FEESVisa fees must be paid in local currency at the VFS center.Methods of payment: debit card, credit card or cash.
How do I make a VFS payment?
Payment methods: All fees can be paid by cash, Credit or Debit cards at the Visa Application Centre. Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.
Does VFS charges for biometric?
Such applicants have to pay the Package Transmission fee (even for the initial package transmission) as no biometric fee is being collected from such applicants. All applicants who are submitting paper applications (with or without biometrics) will need to pay the assisted service - paper application fee.
How long does it take for visa to be approved?
The entire visa application processing takes somewhere between two weeks and four months, depending on the type of visa. Please check what visa category you are going to need to have enough time left for the application process.
How long does VFS take to process for UK visa?
The UK Visas and Immigration global service standard for processing non-settlement visas is 15 working days and 60 working days for settlement visas.
How much time does visa process take?
Upon receipt of the Visa Application through Indian Visa Application Center or directly, the Indian Mission/ Post requires a minimum of three working days to process the case and issue a visa depending upon the nationality and excluding special cases.
How long is VFS Courier?
so you have promised for 3-5 working days.
What is VFS Global?
VFS Global, also known as " Visa Facilitation Services Global ," is an outsourcing and technology services company that serves governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa and passport issuance-related administrative and non-discretionary tasks for its client governments. The company began as a "side project" ...
Where is VFS Global located?
VFS Global was established in Mumbai, India, in 2001. In a Forbes magazine interview, CEO Zubin Karkaria claimed he founded VFS after he had "persuaded the US government to pilot a scheme for Indian visa applicants to the US at its Mumbai embassy.".
What is TTS visa?
In August 2017, the outsourcing company acquired the UK-based visa service provider TT Services (TTS) for an undisclosed amount. At the time of the acquisition, TTS operated 51 visa application centres in over 35 countries with 216 employees. Later that year, in November 2017, VFS Global expanded its visa services in Cyprus with new centres launched in the additional cities of Thiruvananthapuram, Goa, Gurugram, and Jaipur. These expansion increased the amount of visa centres where applicants were offered additional services, such as SMS updates, courier services, and online tracking services.
When was VFS Global investigated?
Three years later, in June 2014, the outsourcing company was investigated by the South African Competition Commission regarding allegations of market dominance by VFS Global in the visa support services market to foreign embassies.
Where is VFS headquartered?
Formerly based in India, the company is now headquartered in Dubai with offices in 147 countries. In 2018, VFS processed more than 25 million visa applications, often containing passport details and financial histories, on behalf of the British Home Office and 61 other governments.
Is VFS a monopoly?
VFS Global has been alleged to be a monopolistic enterprise operating in the visa outsourcing sector. Its alleged monopoly has led to issues related to prohibitive visa application prices and also sparked concerns in the areas of centralised document handling and content security, though VFS claims a streamlined application submission process in all its centres. For example, VFS staff at its collection offices in Southeast Asia were accused of abusing its dominant market status by creating their own extemporaneous rules for visa applicants. This included entry criteria to the VFS centres and also level of assistance offered to applicants.
Does VFS Global have a security audit?
VFS Global claims to annually renew its ISO 27001 audit and certification.
What is VFS?
One of the changes that took place was the implementation of eleven Visa Facilitation Service Centres (VFS), although as it would seem to many of us, this happened practically overnight and without transitional provisions in place.
What is VFS website?
Upon entering VFS or looking at their website, one has a brief period of relief and a sense of calm when applying for a visa. The offices are run based off of pre-booked appointments, and the website gives a list of requirements for each visa that is being applied for. There is even a call centre to answer queries prior to and after an application is accepted.
What is VFS in Pretoria?
However, in terms of the law and a notice issued by the Department of Home Affairs, VFS is not meant to give advises, but merely to take in the application and make sure it is received by the Department in Pretoria.
When did the VFS close?
Troubles are furthered by the fact that despite VFS being an extension of the Department, as one can no longer submit their applications at Home Affairs, VFS closed their offices from the 22nd of December 2014 to the 4th of January 2015 for the submission of new applications. This lead to long lines curling around the ABSA building the third week of December, with waiting times of up to six hours, since appointments can now be circumvented in the case of appeals and rectifications.
Does VFS help with immigration?
At the end of the day, VFS does not cure the root of the problem with immigration matters, which is the Department of Home Affairs itself. The Department is an overworked and overburdened branch of government, which needs to employ more staff and provide additional training in the change of laws.
Does VFS follow tick list?
VFS officials are not trained on the requirements for visa applications, but merely follow a “tick list” issued by the Department, which is also flawed in many aspects. For example the legal requirements for a critical skills visa in terms of section 19 (4) of the Act do not line up with the “tick list” that the Department and VFS issue. This can lead to applicants producing the wrong documentation for the type of visa for which they are applying.
What is VFS Global Visa?
VFS Global Visa is a service organization that acts as an agent for money to make and prepare visa applications and petitions on applicant’s behalf.
Why does VFS take passports?
Unless an Applicant is called for Visa Interview, he/she will have no interaction with Embassy. So VFS takes your Passport because when issued VISA STAMP has to be pasted on a page of your passport.
How long does it take to get a visa for the Schengen zone?
From February 2020 you may apply for a visa 180 days before you intend to enter the Schengen zone. You must apply at least 15 days before you intend to enter the Schengen zone. This rule about 15 days seems to indicate that normal processing will be done in one or two weeks.
How long does it take to enter a VFS?
To enter in to VFS premises you need to hold valid appointment letter with stated date and time. The time allowance of 15 minutes are usually accepted by security.
What is the company called that does not want to see people applying for a visa?
In many cases a company called VFS.
Where does VFS take your application?
VFS accepts your application and brings it to the embassy where it is processed.
Can you walk in to a VFS gate?
You cannot walk in. You have to set up an appointment with VFS and carry that document - otherwise the gate security won’t let you in. If you can afford, set up a premium lounge appointment, costs around ₹ 2,400 or so. Then you can get all the help needed in filling up your application and submitting it.
Why should you opt for our Visa At Your Doorstep service?
Visa application submission process from the comfort and safety of your preferred location
Does Visa at Doorstep affect turnaround time?
Using the optional Visa At Your Doorstep service does not impact turnaround timelines or guarantee a positive decision on your visa application. Visa decisions are a sole prerogative of the concerned decision-making authority (embassy, consulate, etc.)
Welcome to VFS Global
Unified services and solutions for end-to-end attestation and verification of documents with relevant authorities.
Amazing effort! An unparalleled support provided by VFS Global staff during this season not with standing your hectic work pressure
Amazing effort! An unparalleled support provided by VFS Global staff during this season not with standing your hectic work pressure.
It was a fantastic experience. I commend the professionalism, service orientation and attention to detail of the VFS Global staff
It was a fantastic experience. I commend the professionalism, service orientation and attention to detail of the VFS Global staff.
Overview
VFS Global, also known as "Visa Facilitation Services Global," is an outsourcing and technology services company for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa and passport issuance-related administrative and non-discretionary tasks for its client governments. The company began as a "side project" at a luxury Swiss travel group Kuoni in 2001 …
History
The inspiration to create VFS Global came to Zubin Karkaria while working with Kuoni Group, which was one of the world’s leading travel companies. The long wait times for visa applications and growing piles of administrative work for the embassies led him to conceptualize a unique solution - outsourcing the administrative part of the process. Outsourcing visa processing meant improved and more personalized service for applicants with better physical and technological inf…
Services and partnerships
In 2013, the outsourcing company pursued partnerships with foreign tourist boards and airlines in an attempt to increase its revenues. VFS Global partnered with the Italian State Tourist Board to open a Mumbai office to promote Italy as a tourism destination for Indian nationals. In February 2015, VFS Global likewise partnered with the Macau Tourism Office to promote Macau as a popular tourist destination. In 2017, the outsourcing company partnered with Atout France, the Fr…
Criticisms and controversies
Throughout its existence during the past two decades, VFS Global has attracted considerable criticism from governments, investigative journalists, and its clients. The company allegedly pressured visa applicants into purchasing premium services which "they often don't need and can't afford." In 2019, the British Home Office was deluged by complaints from customers applying for visas using VFS Global, many of whom accused the company "of exploiting vulnerable applic…
See also
• BLS International
What Is VFS?
- During the month of June 2014, the legislature amended South Africa’s existing immigration laws. One of the changes that took place was the implementation of eleven Visa Facilitation Service Centres(VFS), although as it would seem to many of us, this happened practically overnight and without transitional provisions in place. Upon careful scrutiny ...
A Smoother Adjudication Process?
- Upon entering VFS or looking at their website, one has a brief period of relief and a sense of calm when applying for a visa. The offices are run based off of pre-booked appointments, and the website gives a list of requirements for each visa that is being applied for. There is even a call centre to answer queries prior to and after an application is accepted. Regardless of the applicat…
Advice Given by VFS
- Through the VFS website and call centre, foreigners often call for advises on what documents need to be submitted in order for a successful outcome of their application. However, in terms of the law and a notice issued by the Department of Home Affairs, VFS is not meant to give advises, but merely to take in the application and make sure it is received by the Department in Pretoria. …
What About National Security?
- As the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba stated in an interview regarding the implementation of VFS, the Department still exercises “full control over the decision-making processes to ensure that our national interests and security imperatives are served at all times.” Although all applications are adjudicated by the Department, it is noteworthy that VFS is a privat…