VFS Global, a service provider for all UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres overseas, will open UK application centres in 84 new countries in 2024. VFS Global operates across 142 countries and the new contract will significantly increase investment in technology to improve customer experience, accessibility and security.
The contract signed with the UK is the sixth global contract won by VFS Global this year. The company has been a trusted partner of the UK government since 2003 and won the global contract for overseas UK visa and Citizenship services. VFS Global, according to a press release, is among the world’s leading visa, passport and citizen services providers.
VFS Global said in 2024 it will deploy 240 Visa and Citizenship Application Service (VCAS) Centres for the UK in 142 countries. This will span across several regions like Africa and the Middle East, Americas, Australasia and Europe, China and Taiwan, and Asia and Asia Pacific.
All of these centres will accept all categories of visa applications as well as UK passport applications in certain locations and are expected to process 3.8 million applicants every year.
The company in its release said that it will invest to improve the customer journey and increase accessibility. The steps shall include new customer websites as well as updated in-person experiences.
The company said it has put in place robust identity checks by deploying the latest technologies in order to ensure the integrity of the visa and passport application process. The new contract is expected to deliver savings to the UK government, the press release said.
“We are delighted to win this contract and expand our partnership with the Home Office to become their service provider for all UK visa customers overseas. 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. This win is a testament to our dedicated efforts to provide all our client governments with best-in-class services,” VFS Global founder and CEO Zubin Karkaria said.
VFS Global also said that its network of additional paid application centres will be expanded along with VCAS centres to bring the visa application process closer to home for customers through partnerships with popular hotels and resorts. The company said that these are currently offered in India, UAE and the US through hotel partners.
The company was awarded the global biometric collection service mandate with Australia and renewal of the global visa service contract with Sweden.
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