VFS Global, which has been a trusted partner for the UK Government since 2003, has won the global contract for overseas UK visa and citizenship services.
VFS Global was also recently awarded the global biometric collection service mandate with Australia and renewal of the global visa service contract with Sweden.
During 2024, VFS Global will deploy 240 Visa and Citizenship Application Service (VCAS) Centres for the UK in 142 countries across Africa and Middle East, Americas, Australasia and Europe, China and Taiwan, as well as Asia and Asia-Pacific regions. These centres will accept all categories of visa applications as well as UK passport applications in some locations. Combined, these new centres are estimated to process 3.8 million applicants every year.
In addition, VFS Global will invest to improve the customer journey and increase accessibility, including through new customer websites and updated in-person experiences.
VFS Global will also expand its network of additional paid application centres bringing the visa application process closer to home for customers through partnerships with popular hotels and resorts. It currently offers these in India, the UAE and the US through hotel partners in those countries.
Zubin Karkaria, founder and CEO, VFS Global, said: “We are excited to begin operations in new locations, and to take the next step towards providing customers with a seamless, simple and secure visa and passport application experience.”
