Visa Wait Times for European Countries to Reduce in 2024, VFS Global Predicts

Good news for Indian travellers planning their summer travel to Europe can breathe a sigh of relief as visa services provider VFS Global projects a reduction in waiting times at its visa application centres this year.

Intending to enhance visa processing efficiency, VFS Global expects a more streamlined experience for travellers to foreign destinations. This improvement is attributed to the deployment of additional staff by client governments to manage the influx of visa applications.

Increased Appointment Availability and Turnaround Time

According to a Live Mint report, Vishal Jairath, VFS Global’s Head of South Asia, provided valuable insights into recent developments. Jairath revealed;

“The Swiss government has allocated 25% more appointments, spreading them evenly throughout the year compared to concentrated scheduling in previous years. Austria aims to increase appointment availability while focusing on quicker processing times.”

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Priority Services and Reduced Appointment Gap

Jairath also highlighted priority services for the UK and improved appointment availability for Canada and the US. Furthermore, the gap between appointment availability in the US has significantly reduced, from a previous wait of two years to 8-9 months, with further improvements expected in 2024.

Recovery from Visa Backlogs

The ban on international air travel for two years resulted in a backlog of visa applications when restrictions were lifted in March 2022. However, with client governments hiring additional local and expat staff, the situation has improved.

This proactive measure is anticipated to translate into a higher percentage of available appointments in 2023.

Surging Demand for International Travel

Despite challenges in obtaining visas for certain countries, VFS Global reports a surge in demand for international travel.

In 2023, visa applications from India witnessed a 16% growth compared to the previous year, reaching 93% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Initial trends suggest a potential surpassing of pre-COVID application volumes in 2024.

Also Read: VFS Global to Provide Norway Visa and Residency Services In 52 Countries

Popular Destinations and Emerging Trends

Data from VFS Global indicates significant interest in travel to the US, UK, and Canada among Indian travellers. Additionally, destinations like China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland are gaining traction.

Furthermore, there’s a rising trend of travellers opting for personalized services, driven by increased disposable income and a focus on safety and comfort.

Expansion and Accessibility Initiatives

Responding to increasing demand, VFS Global has expanded its service offerings. The company has witnessed a fivefold increase in its visa-at-your-doorstep service and a 4% growth since 2022. Additionally, there has been a notable expansion in premium lounges, increasing from 14 to 34 in 2023.

To cater to the growing demand in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, VFS Global recently opened a new centre in Lucknow after a decade-long gap. Plans for expansion in Jaipur are underway, with efforts to enhance representation for client governments in these regions.

Also Read: VFS Global to Process UK Visas in 142 Countries

Conclusion

As Indians gear up for their summer vacations, the prospect of smoother visa processing and increased service accessibility offers a glimmer of hope for hassle-free travel to European destinations.

(With Inputs from Live Mint)