Hyderabad: Visa requests touch pre-Covid mark | Hyderabad News

HYDERABAD: The number of visa applications from Hyderabad in 2022 almost hit the 2019 pre-pandemic levels thanks to the opening up of international borders as Covid-19 pandemic related protocols eased and owing to pent-up demand, according to VFS Global.
In 2022, visa application volumes from Hyderabad reached 95% of pre-pandemic levels and clocked a 129% growth as compared to 2021, said VFS Global COO (South Asia) Prabuddha Sen.

However, on an all-India basis, visa application volumes in 2022 reached 80% of pre-pandemic levels (2019), as per VFS Global officials, who declined to share the number of visa applications.
“We witnessed unprecedented demand from India in 2022 which led to an extended peak outbound travel season with steady volumes witnessed until December. We are confident that the momentum will further grow and hence it is advisable for applicants to apply for their visas in advance to avoid last-minute surprises,” Sen said.
According to VFS Global, there has also been a healthy uptick in the demand for personalised services such as ‘visa at your doorstep’ (VAYD) since the pandemic began, with a 2X surge in 2022. The VAYD service enables travellers to book their entire visa experience at a location of their choice for 16 countries including UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, among others.
“Health considerations continue to be a key determining factor in the new normal. As a result, we see an increasing number of travellers opt of such services that provide a seamless visa experience and prioritise safe travel,” added Sen.
VFS Global, which caters to 50 foreign governments India, currently has a presence in 19 cities across the country.