Visa applications in India rise 11 pc in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, ET TravelWorld

Visa applications in India saw a significant rise of 11 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 4 per cent. This increase reflects the growing demand for international travel as Indian citizens return to global destinations in large numbers. Popular destinations for Indian travellers in 2024 included Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

“India continues to show a strong demand for international travel, and it’s clear that this robust momentum will persist in 2025. We encourage applicants to apply for their visas well in advance to avoid the last-minute rush and ensure a smooth travel experience,” said Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global.

VFS Global also highlighted the rising trend of fraud in the visa application process, urging applicants to only use their official website, www.vfsglobal.com, to make appointments. Talwar stressed that appointments are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The demand for personalised services, particularly the Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) service, has increased significantly. The VAYD service, which allows applicants to complete their visa process from home, saw a six-fold increase in bookings compared to 2019 and a 21 per cent rise compared to 2023. VFS Global now offers this premium service for 16 countries within India.

As a trusted partner to 52 sovereign governments, VFS Global manages over 560 visa application centres across 19 cities in India. While VFS Global handles administrative tasks, it does not influence the visa decision-making process.