VFS Global opened an India Visa Application Centre (IVAC) for the Indian High Commission in central London to help deal with the surge in demand for visa applications since the opening of international borders and relaxation of Covid guidelines.

The new Centre is conveniently located in central London – Boston Place, Marylebone and was inaugurated on November 1 by the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Vikram Doraiswami. The new Centre will be the third IVAC in London. VFS Global operates a network of ten IVACs across the United Kingdom in Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, central London, Hounslow, Leicester, and Manchester.

At the same time, VFS Global has introduced more appointments – existing IVACs in London and Birmingham have started receiving applications on Saturdays and weekday afternoons. Since March, VFS Global has partnered with the High Commissioner of India in London and its Consulates to set up weekend consular camps across the UK. Together, these measures will double the current capacity so that VFS Global can support the Indian High Commission to release more appointments.

The Indian High Commissioner, Vikram Doraiswami said in a video message, “The number of appointments we have been able to do has increased to about 40,000 per month thanks to our partners at VFS Global.”

Further, he also announced that a new process is being introduced for group tourism – for those travelling as a group, typically, via a travel agency to the same destination using the same flights. Tourists from the U.K will now also have the option of a visa at your doorstep service (VAYD) at a cost.

Doraiswami added, “Your papers can be collected at your home and will be brought to you after it is processed. To help with that, the service provider will also offer a special service to get your documents checked online for a small cost. We are also starting a form-filling service which will be offered by our service provider VSF Global.”

Speaking about the new Centre, Aditya Arora, COO, of VFS Global said, “The new VAC will increase the visa application capacity in London by providing additional appointment slots. This along with the recently opened visa centre in Glasgow will double the capacity of visas handled by VFS Global. We are always looking at finding practical solutions to address customer experience challenges. As a responsible service provider that manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to visa applications for the governments we work with, we have taken measures along with the High Commissioner of India in London to help visa applicants with a seamless visa application experience”.