Tourism Breaking News
VFS Global successfully concluded its six-city roadshow, attracting an overwhelming response from the travel trade community. More than 750 travel agents participated in the events held across Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chandigarh, and New Delhi.
Organised ahead of the peak travel season, the roadshow aimed to strengthen VFS Global’s engagement with travel agents – key partners in supporting visa applicants. The initiative was supported by leading travel trade associations such as the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), and the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), whose leadership echoed the importance of collaboration between industry stakeholders.
“The response to our roadshows across cities has been truly heartening, and the positive feedback from the travel trade means a great deal to us,” said Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global. “Travel agents are an essential part of India’s travel ecosystem, often being the first point of contact for visa-related guidance. It’s important for us to remain connected with them, understand their concerns, and do all we can within our remit to support both them and the travellers. These roadshows reflect our continued commitment to working closely with travel trade.”
During the roadshows, VFS Global introduced a dedicated referral programme for travel agents, designed to encourage closer collaboration and improve the overall visa application experience for its customers.
Travel agents were also encouraged to advise customers to apply early for visas to avoid peak season delays. VFS Global reminded attendees that most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days in advance, with Schengen countries accepting applications as early as six months prior to travel. UK visa applications can be submitted three months ahead of the travel date.
A strong focus was placed on protecting travellers from fraudulent entities. VFS Global reiterated that all appointments are free of charge and can only be booked via the official website.
The sessions also spotlighted the Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) service, an increasingly popular optional offering available on behalf of 19 client governments in India – including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This service enables travellers to complete their visa application process from the comfort of their home, office or location of their choice.
In addition to VAYD, agents were briefed on Prime Time, VFS Global’s exclusive after-hours visa application service. Designed for those with demanding schedules, Prime Time offers the convenience of extended appointment hours, reduced waiting times, and an overall smoother application experience.
For the UK, VFS Global has also introduced new temporary service locations across India, with further expansion planned in the coming quarter.
Another major highlight was the introduction of the Indonesia eVisa platform, now available for 97 nationalities. Travel agents were briefed on the advantages of this digital solution, including group bookings and seamless integration into B2B portals via a dedicated API.
The success of this year’s roadshow reinforces VFS Global’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with the travel trade, ensuring streamlined visa services and a more seamless travel experience for all.
