Category Archives: Visa

Continuing its trusted partnership with the Thailland government, VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, re-won the contract to process visa applications for Thailand from India. The company will cater to travellers from India across visa categories through visa application centres and drop off centres as per the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai Embassy in Delhi and Royal Thai Consulate General in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. VFS Global’s relationship with the Government of Thailand dates to nearly two decades. The company has processed more than 2.2 million Thai visa applications since 2005. As a part of the mandate, VFS Global will roll out drop box services in tier 2 cities such as Ranchi, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Indore, Nagpur, Nasik, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada, Currently the service is available at Agra, Amritsar, Dehradun, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Guwahati, Patna, Bihar, Bhubaneswar, Jamshedpur, Siliguri and Visakhapatnam. The VFS Global newest visa application centre (VAC) in Lucknow (a drop box facility earlier) will also accept applications for Thailand visas. “The renewal of the Thai visa contract attests to VFS Global’s superior business performance, commitment to improving customer experience, and unshakable faith placed in us by the 70 sovereign governments we work with, including Thailand,’’ said Prabuddha Sen, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global.

Online visa application platform Atlys has raised USD 12 million in a Series A round led by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India) and Elevation Capital. The funds raised will be used to expand the platform’s product offerings for travellers, attract customers, and further strengthen the team through talent acquisition.    

Prabuddha Sen, COO (South Asia), VFS Global, said, “We are expecting to surpass pre-pandemic visa applications calendar year end. There has been a robust rebound in outbound travel sentiments. Despite initial scepticism, the level of bounce back has resulted in a demand-supply gap”.  

Dr. Tito Gronow, Minister, Deputy Head of Mission at Embassy of Finland, New Delhi shared that . He also shared that Indians have grown this year to become the largest group of visa applicants followed by Russia and China. Finland is looking forward to having Indians with open arms.

Sara Sodhi Juneja, Country Head, India & Gulf, Visit Finland, said, “Overall growth has been good, but, demand was high corresponding to number of visas. To streamline visa processing, we have started new office in Helsinki with dedicated team.”   

Amid visa woes, Germany has earmarked an investment of about ₹4.5 cr on marketing in India to be a preferred destination amongst Indian tourists. To address the lingering visa-related concerns, Germany is making its visa procedures smooth, and reducing the processing time which currently spans up to eight weeks.

While airlines are beginning to operate international flights to and from Manohar International Airport (MIA), foreign travellers have been in for a rude shock on their arrival to learn that eVisa facilities are not available at MIA. According to the authorised portal for Visa Application to India, Goa has been included in the list of 29 designated international airports, through which eVisa holders can travel. However, it has not been clearly specified in the portal that only the Dabolim International Airport is an authorised immigration checkpost through which eVisa holders can travel.

Tourists to the UAE who stay beyond the validity of their visa will now pay a reduced fine of Dh50 per day instead of Dh100. The new system unified the amount of overstay fines to Dh50 per day for any type of visa violator. The overstay fine payment can be paid either by visiting happiness centres or online through the authority website and smart application.

Voicing his disappointment over delayed visas, Naveen Kundu, MD (India, South East Asia & Middle East), EbixCash Travel Group, says, “It is time we stood up to the outrageous behaviour of Embassies and High Commissions. Are we beggars? Are the corporates who spend millions of dollars in their countries fools to be doing M!CE there?” He urged national travel trade bodies to take immediate action.

The 2023 edition of India Travel Awards (North) was held at the Hyatt Regency Delhi on 25 July, Addressing the event, VK Duggal, Former Governor, Manipur and Mizoram said, “With India’s international tourist offices being closed, the Indian embassies and high commission will have to play an important role in promoting Indian tourism overseas.”