Outbound travel from India remained strong, with visa application volumes in India increasing by 11% year-on-year in 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels (2019) by 4%. This increase indicates a recovery and a rise in Indian travelers visiting international destinations. 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. (in alphabetical order).

“India continues to show a strong demand for international travel, and 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.

Talwar stressed that applicants should avoid counterfeit websites and fake social media pages claiming to be VFS Global. “Appointments are free and available only through www.vfsglobal.com on a first-come, first-served basis. We continue to raise awareness about this issue and urge applicants to plan their travel early.”

The trend for tailored visa services remains strong, with VFS Global noting a significant rise in demand for its Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) service. This premium service allows applicants to complete their visa process, including biometric enrolment, from their preferred location. In 2024, VAYD bookings in India saw a more than six-fold increase compared to 2019 and a 21% growth over 2023. VFS Global offers VAYD services for 16 countries within India.

VFS Global is the trusted partner to 52 sovereign governments in India and provides visa services on their behalf through a network of over 560 visa application centres spread across 19 cities. VFS Global’s role in the visa application process is limited to front-end administrative tasks, including collecting visa application forms, required documentation as per the checklist, and enrolling biometrics, if applicable. VFS Global has no role in the decision-making process of granting or refusing a visa.

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