UK
VFS Global, a longstanding partner of the UK Government since 2003, has recently been awarded the global contract for overseas UK visa and Citizenship services. This accomplishment adds to the extensive list of achievements for the world’s premier provider of visa, passport, and citizen services.
In the year 2024, VFS Global plans to establish 240 Visa and Citizenship Application Service (VCAS) Centres across 142 countries, spanning regions such as Africa & the Middle East, Americas, Australasia & Europe, China & Taiwan, and Asia & Asia Pacific. These centers will accept a broad spectrum of visa applications, and in select locations, UK passport applications. The anticipated processing capacity for these new centers is a substantial 3.8 million applicants annually.
Beyond the sheer scale of deployment, VFS Global is committed to enhancing the customer experience and accessibility. This includes the launch of new customer websites and improvements to in-person interactions. Leveraging the latest technologies, VFS Global aims to maintain stringent identity checks, ensuring the integrity of the visa and passport application process. The contract is anticipated to generate cost savings for the UK Government.
Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO of VFS Global, expressed delight at winning this contract and expanding the partnership with the Home Office to serve as the exclusive service provider for all UK visa customers overseas. Karkaria highlighted the company’s eagerness to commence operations in new locations and further streamline the visa and passport application experience. The CEO emphasized that this achievement underscores VFS Global’s dedicated efforts to offer best-in-class services to all client governments.
As a sought-after destination for global travelers, the UK sees a high volume of visa applications, with India, China, Nigeria, and Turkey being the top four application locations.
In addition to the VCAS Centres, VFS Global intends to broaden its network of paid application centers, collaborating with well-known hotels and resorts. This strategic partnership aims to bring the visa application process closer to customers’ locations. Currently, VFS Global provides such services in India, the UAE, and the USA through partnerships with hotels in those countries.
This recent triumph follows VFS Global’s acquisition of the global biometric collection service mandate with Australia and the renewal of the global visa service contract with Sweden. VFS Global continues to reinforce its position as a global leader in visa and citizen services.
