Surging demand for UK visas: VFS Global to open visa processing centres in smaller Indian cities – details here – Times of India

VFS Global, a firm that handles visa applications and technology services, has announced plans to open temporary visa processing centers in smaller cities in India such as Allahabad, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Dehradun, and Indore. This move is in response to the increasing demand for UK visas among Indian nationals, who accounted for the highest share of visitor visas granted by the UK in the year ending June 2023, according to an ET report.
According to UK government statistics, Indian nationals received 30% of the visitor visas, followed by Chinese nationals at 13%, and Nigerian and Turkish nationals at 6% each.
Prabuddha Sen, the Chief Operating Officer for South Asia at VFS Global, mentioned that this initiative would provide convenience for UK-bound travelers from tier two Indian cities, including tourists, students, and business travelers. It would allow them to apply for visas without having to travel to major cities.

The decision to open new centers is a part of VFS Global’s recent contract to provide overseas UK visa and citizenship services globally. As part of this contract, VFS Global will establish 240 Visa and Citizenship Application Service (VCAS) centers across 142 countries in various regions.
VFS Global has been working with the British government since 2003 and will also expand its network of additional paid application centers through partnerships with popular hotels and resorts. Currently, these centers are available in India, the UAE, and the US.

The UK government’s statistics reveal a significant increase in visitor visas granted, with 1,815,342 visas issued in the year ending June 2023, a 96% rise compared to the previous year. Among these, Indian nationals received the highest number of visas, with 536,983 granted, an increase from 503,139 in June 2019.
Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head for holidays, MICE, and visa at travel services firm Thomas Cook India, stated that early trends show a positive outlook for the UK among Indian consumers. The company has taken advantage of this by launching its summer 2024 travel products. Despite India being a late booker market, Thomas Cook India has already seen a 15% increase in forward bookings. There is also a growing interest in cruises and premium travel, particularly Southampton sailings and luxury Cunard cruises.
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Daniel D’Souza, President and Country Head for leisure travel at SOTC Travel Ltd, mentioned that the positive feedback on visa processing has led to a strong consumer demand for leisure travel to the UK. The company’s data shows a 20% increase in the demand pipeline for the upcoming season and the following summer.