Visa applications from India rose by 11 pc year-over-year in 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 4 pc, says VFS Global, a global visa and passport administration outsourcing company.

In a press statement, VFS Global says this growth reflects a resurgence in international travel demand among Indian citizens.

VFS Global adds that the demand for personalised visa services has also surged and Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) service that allows applicants to complete their visa process from home, saw bookings increase more than six-fold compared to 2019 and 21 pc year-over-year in 2024.

The statement adds that despite the growth, challenges persist and visa processing delays remain an issue for many Western countries.

“India continues to show a strong demand for international travel, and it is 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,” says Yummi Talwar, COO – South Asia, VFS Global.

Yummi Talwar

“Appointments are free and available only through the official website on a first-come, first-served basis. We continue to raise awareness about this issue and urge applicants to plan their travel early,” adds Talwar.

The statement adds that to address the surge in demand and limited appointment slots it is recommended to apply for visas as early as possible, up to six months before travel for Schengen visas and up to three months for most other destinations.

The global visa and passport company says that the organisation reiterated its role as a front-end administrative partner for 52 sovereign governments, handling tasks such as document collection and biometric enrollment but not influencing visa decisions.