Category Archives: Visa

In a bid to strengthen India’s relationships with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Indian Government has decided to offer visa-on-arrival facility for UAE nationals travelling to India. The facility will be available to UAE nationals for a period of up to 60 days with double entry for business, tourism, conference and medical purposes. This facility will be available at six international airports: Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. The facility will be available to only those UAE nationals who have earlier obtained and e-visa or a normal paper visa for India, irrespective of whether the person actually visited India or not. Those UAE nationals going to India for the first time may be advised to apply for e-Visa or a normal paper Visa. Pakistan-origin UAE nationals will not be eligible for Visa-on-Arrival Scheme. Nationals of Japan, South Korea are also eligible for the facility.

VFS Global has been named an official ticket re-seller for Expo 2020 Dubai, the World’s Greatest Show, to be held in the UAE between 20 October 2020 and 10 April 2021. Customers travelling to the UAE during Expo 2020 can visit their nearest VFS Global Visa Application Centre in the GCC, India, China, Russia, UK and Germany to plan their trip, leverage VFS Global’s services and reserve their Expo 2020 tickets. Business travellers can start booking their tickets from today, from destination management companies, travel agents and educational institutions, while leisure travellers will be able to do so early next year on vfsglobal.com. VFS Global will be offering a range of packages with suggested itineraries that include single- and three-day passes to visit Expo 2020 Dubai. Customers who opt to submit their visa application through the Premium Lounge, or hold a VFS Global Privilege Program membership, can also enjoy discounts on the packages they purchase.

The percentage shares of top 15 source countries availing e-Tourist Visa facilities during September, 2019 were highest from China (11.87%), followed by USA (9.91%), UK (8.84%), Malaysia (6.09%), Australia (4.72%), Germany (3.95%), France (3.75), Israel (3.26%), Canada (2.68%), Singapore (2.67%), Spain (2.59%), Japan (2.52%), Oman (2.31%), Italy (2.12%) and Indonesia (2.07%), according to statistics revealed by Ministry of Tourism.

H.E. Ivan Lančarič, Ambassador of Slovakia to India, officially inaugurated VFS Global’s Slovakia Visa Application Centre in Mumbai’s BKC area. The centre is one of three that opened in India in the last quarter of 2018, to cater to the growing demand for Slovakia as a travel destination. The Ambassador revealed that in 2018, there were around 12,000 Indians that travelled to Slovakia. He added, “I would like to announce here in Mumbai, heart of the film industry in India that Slovakia offers a 20 per cent cash rebate of certified private expenses spent for film or TV production in the Slovak Republic, and starting from January 1, 2020, this cash rebate will increase to 33 per cent. Slovakia offers culturally rich and diverse locations, historical and modern as well and has a rich filmmaking tradition. I would like to encourage filmmakers from Mumbai to consider filming in Slovakia as we have a lot of to offer to them professionally, and VFS Global in Mumbai can easily process the necessary visa applications.” Vinay Malhotra, Regional Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, Middle East and China, VFS Global said, “Slovakia’s reputation as an aspirational destination is growing, and we are pleased to pro-vide travellers our best in class visa services, to make the first step in their journeys as comfortable and relaxed as their visit to Slovakia. We are honoured to have the Ambassador to formally inaugurate our centre here in Mumbai, and hope for a long and fruitful association with the Embassy.”

During the month of September, 2019, a total of 1,97,948 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 1,58,884 during the month of September, 2018 registering a growth of 24.6%, according to Ministry of Tourism statistics. During January- September 2019, a total of 18,98,665 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 15,77,418 during January- September 2018, registering a growth of 20.4%. The percentage shares of top 15 source countries availing e-Tourist Visa facilities during September, 2019 were highest from China (11.87%), followed by USA (9.91%), UK (8.84%), Malaysia (6.09%), Australia (4.72%), Germany (3.95%), France (3.75), Israel (3.26%), Canada (2.68%), Singapore (2.67%), Spain (2.59%), Japan (2.52%), Oman (2.31%), Italy (2.12%) and Indonesia (2.07%).

During the month of August 2019, a total of 1,66,424 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa, as compared to 1,50,457 during the month of August, 2018, registering a growth of 10.6%, according to statistics released by Ministry of Tourism (MOT). During January- August 2019, a total of 17,00,717 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 14,18,534 during January-August 2018, registering a growth of 19.9%.

VFS Global has commenced Belarus visa services for the residents of India through centres in five cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. This is the first time the Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs has outsourced their visa services. The centres accept applications for tourist, business, and private visit visas across all these locations. Prior to this, customers in India had to visit the the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in New Delhi to apply for their Belarus visas. Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO – South Asia, Middle East and China, VFS Global said, “It is always exciting to commence our visa services for a new country and bring our travellers the best application experience we can offer. Footfall to Belarus has been growing in recent years, and we are looking forward to serving customers for Belarus in India.” Belarus has recorded a steady increase in the number of Indians travelling to the destination in recent years, with an average of 1,200 applications being submitted annually. H.E. Andrei Rzheussky, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to India said, “Starting cooperation with VFS Global on visa issues in India is an important step of Belarus in tourism development strategy in South Asia region. New approach of Belarus in this cooperation is reflecting the gradual tendency of  travels facilitation between India and Belarus which is crucial for developing fruitful bilateral relations between our friendly countries.”

The Embassy of Iceland, New Delhi has appointed VFS Global to process Iceland visa applications for Indian travellers. H.E. Gudmundur Arni Stefansson, Ambassador, Embassy of Iceland and Alok Singhal, Regional Head – North & East India, VFS Global signed the contract recently for this. Iceland has been gaining popularity among Indian travellers, with a growth of over 30 per cent recorded in 2017. To ensure greater access to the Iceland visa process for travellers across India, VFS Global now offers Iceland visa services at three locations in India – Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru. Prior to this, customers had to submit their applications through the Embassy of Denmark in New Delhi. VFS Global also offers its optional Premium Lounge to Iceland visa applicants, providing end-to-end personalised service throughout the visa application process. The Premium Lounge is just one of several optional services applicants can avail, including Prime Time for application submission and passport collection on weekends, and pick-up services within each city, among others. H.E. Guðmundur Árni Stefansson, Ambassador of Iceland said, “The Icelandic Embassy is looking forward to take over the visa processing services in cooperation with VFS Global and other relevant parties. The Consular section of the Embassy, under the lead of   Kristin Eva Sigurdardottir the Deputy Head of the Embassy, will do its utmost to provide the best service possible in accordance with rules and regulations.“ Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO – South Asia, Middle East and China, VFS Global said, “We are truly honoured by the Embassy of Iceland’s faith in our services, and excited to bring the visa service closer to home for residents in India. Iceland has long been gaining momentum as a destination …

Prahlad Singh Patel, State Minister (I/C), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said, “For thousands of years, India has followed the motto of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’- which means the entire world is a family and everyone is alike. We are glad to be associated with UNWTO, and we assure the support that they need from us. India is a diverse country and we are now at the 34th position in the UNWTO index. I also want to thank our Prime Minister for being our ambassador and popularising India across the world. e-Visa in tourism and GST for hotels has been rationalised. This will improve the positioning of India at the global level and will boost tourism. National Tourism Award has been presented to achievers of the tourism industry, and I believe that everyone who is a part of this industry, right from a guide, driver, tour operator, hotel executive is important and makes a huge contribution to a tourist’s experience and hence needs to be felicitated. They represent the nation and are key to change the perception of India.

VFS Global has rolled out Lithuania visa services in New Delhi, to cater to travellers from India visiting the European country. H.E. Julius Pranevičius, Ambassador of Lithuania to India and Giedrius Kazakevičius, Director of the Consular Department of the Lithuania Ministry of Foreign Affairs inaugurated the new Lithuania Visa Application Centre in the capital recently. VFS Global has been serving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania since 2013, with visa operations in eight countries. On 10 June 2019, the contract was extended, mandating VFS Global to serve customers in 71 countries in all, including India, owing to Lithuania’s growing popularity among travellers globally. The Visa Application Centre is equipped to accept all categories of Schengen visas for Lithuania, as well as bio-metric enrollment for the same. Customers will have access to a range of optional services available to assist with the visa application process. This includes video conferencing facilities, form filling assistance, Prime Time appointments for application submission and passport collection outside of business hours, Hold at Location enabling a change in the mode of passport return after submitting the application, and much more. Customers can also choose to apply for their visas from the Premium Lounge, and enjoy end-to-end personalised assistance throughout the visa application submission. H.E. Julius Pranevičius, Ambassador of Lithuania to India added, “The newly opened Visa Centres in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru will facilitate the process by bringing the service closer to customer, contribute to building stronger people-to-people contacts, as well as strengthening  bilateral relations between Lithuania and India through tourism, trade and culture. We are looking forward to productive cooperation between the Embassy of Lithuania and VFS Global.” Vinay Malhotra, Regional …