Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, VFS Global
The summer rush is almost here. How is VFS Global preparing to handle the seasonal spike in visa applications while keeping the applicant experience smooth?
Our focus has always been to make the visa application journey seamless, predictable and convenient. Every process at our Visa Application Centres is designed to optimise turnaround times while maintaining the highest standards of security and integrity.
By combining hybrid journeys with digital pathways, we enable greater flexibility and reduce friction across the applicant lifecycle. Value-added services such as Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD), courier solutions, Prime Time appointments and Temporary Enrolment Centres further enhance accessibility and convenience, particularly during peak demand periods.
As a trusted partner to over 52 client governments in the region, we remain committed to delivering reliable, technology-enabled support that strengthens service delivery across visa and consular operations.
What changes are you seeing in traveller behaviour today — are applicants expecting faster, more digital and more flexible visa journeys? How are you adapting to these expectations?
Today’s traveller is discerning and time-sensitive, expecting speed, flexibility and choice. In response, we offer a range of optional services that enhance convenience across the visa journey.
From our Premium Lounge Service and Prime Time appointments — including extended hours and weekend availability for select missions — to Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD), available for 20 client governments including the Schengen states, Saudi Arabia and the UK, we provide tailored solutions for families, groups and individuals seeking added comfort and flexibility. Courier return services further reduce the need for repeat visits.
Meanwhile, our Temporary Enrolment Centres (TEL) bring secure biometric enrolment closer to applicants in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. While this model continues to support the UK, we have now expanded the service to the French mission in India, with new TEL locations launched in Guwahati and Coimbatore — marking a significant step in extending decentralised access for France-bound travellers.
Travel agents continue to play a major role in India’s outbound travel growth. How is VFS Global engaging with the agent community to help them guide customers better through the visa process?
Engaging with travel agents and tour operators remains important to us. We work closely with associations such as TAAI, TAFI and OTOAI, staying in regular touch to understand their concerns and support them within our scope of services.
Before the peak season, we organised a six-city roadshow to meet the trade in person and share useful updates. At the regional level we conduct workshops with small groups of travel agents in our offices throughout the year explaining to them of any change in process or new updates.
With peak-season demand putting pressure on appointments, what practical advice would you share with travel agents to help clients apply early and avoid last-minute delays?
In India, over 70 per cent of travellers rely on their travel agent for advice when booking travel and even securing a visa. That is why our engagement with them is so important. We encourage them to apply for their clients visa well in advance. Schengen countries allow travellers to submit their visa applications up to 180 days (six months) before their intended date of travel. This helps ensure applications are processed on time and reduces last-minute rush and peak-season pressure.
At the same time, we continue our ongoing awareness campaigns, #DoNotFallForFraud, which encourage travellers to plan early and rely only on official channels. We reiterate that visa appointments are free of charge and available only on www.vfsglobal.com, on a first-come, first-served basis—measures that form part of our continued effort to ensure a secure and transparent experience for applicants as demand continues to grow.
Together, these efforts reinforce our commitment to integrity, transparency and secure mobility — ensuring travellers and our client governments can move forward with confidence.