The last quarter has witnessed intermittent activity for the international travel community, with borders opening sporadically in step with vaccination drives in various regions. Weat VFS Global, the world’s leading visa services organisation, would like to keep you apprised of the re-openings of Visa Application Centres in India, and other efforts currently undertaken according to the regulations set by our client governments. Below is a consolidation of the latest ‘restart’ updates in visa application operations in India since June 2020.
At present, the visa application process(in various categories) for over 40 governments has resumed at select Visa Application Centres across India.
Information about visa operations listed in the below table is as of 31March 2021. As this information is fluid and being updated regularly, please visit the country-specific website on www.vfsglobal.com for the most updated information.
Our Visa Application Centres across India remain open as of 07 April 2021, though timings and days of working may vary, according to pandemic-related regulations. Please checkwww.vfsglobal.comfor details. Real time updates are also posted on our social media channels and the COVID-19 Customer Advisories page.
Please note: Airtravel on all routes is subject to government advisories and permissions for air travel may be independent of the visa process.
| Country | Visa Categories | Cities | Restart Date |
| Austria | Category Dand pre-approved C visa applications | Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi and Kolkata | July – September 2020 |
| Belarus | All Visa Categories | Mumbai and New Delhi | July – September 2020 |
| Belgium | Category D and pre-approved C type | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata | July – August 2020 |
| Canada | Family, Permits, Students | Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh and Kolkata | November – December 2020 |
| China | Business Category | New Delhi | Jul-20 |
| Croatia | Category D | Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi and Kolkata | July – September 2020 |
| Cyprus | C visa categories (Pre-approved from High Commission) | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi, Hyderabad and New Delhi | October – November 2020 |
| Czech Republic | Czech and EU family members, Entry in the interest of the Czech Republic, International Transport workers, Diplomats and Officials of International organizations, Seasonal workers, For employment in health and social services only, in urgent emergencies, for employment – food production workers only, for employment – qualified workers only (if the conditions of these Programs “The High qualified worker” and “The Key and scientific workers” are met) | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi and Hyderabad | Sep-20 – Feb-21 |
| Denmark | Residence permit, Employment, Dependent, Approval cases, Category D, specific purpose (business, etc.) | Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi, New Delhi and Kolkata | June – September 2020 |
| Dominican Republic | Business, Work and Resident visa | New Delhi, Mumbai | June2020 |
| Estonia | Category C and D | Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi and Kolkata | July – August 2020 |
| Finland | Resident Permits, Visas (Pre-approved from Embassy) | New Delhi | November 2020 |
| France | Category C and D | Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata | Aug-20 |
| Georgia | Long Term Visa for Business and Family visit (post approval from Ministry) and student visa
be accepted |
Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, New Delhi and Kolkata | Oct-20 |
| Germany | Category C (with prior approval) and D visa (seafarers, transit, employment and student, Blue Card, PhD) after approval of submission and D-visa stamping | Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Bangalore, New Delhi and Kolkata | July – August 2020 |
| Hungary | Pre-approved cases from embassy | New Delhi | November 2020 |
| Italy | Re-Entry Visa, Category D, Short term Students, Seafarer, Transit, Visit to family (immediate family member), Business (With prior approval) | Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Bangalore, New Delhi and Kolkata | Jul-20 |
| Ireland | Student, Long – stay categories | Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Kolkata | Jul-20 |
| Japan | Long term and Business visa | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, and New Delhi | September – October 2020 |
| Latvia | Category D | Mumbai, Kochi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and New Delhi | August 2020 |
| Lebanon | All Visa Categories (BAU) | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata | Dec-20 |
| Lithuania | Category D | Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi and Kolkata | August 2020 |
| Luxembourg | Category D | Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi, New Delhi and Kolkata | July – September 2020 |
| Malta | Pre-approved case for Medical Staff, Humanitarian case and High skilled professionals | Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad | Feb 2021 – March2021 |
| Malaysia | Single Entry Visas | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and New Delhi | July – September 2020 |
| MEA | Attestation and Apostille of personal and educational documents | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad | September-October 2020 |
| Morocco | All Visa Categories except tourist visas | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, New Delhi and Kolkata | January 2021 |
| New Zealand | Long-stay and other categories (postal applications only) | New Delhi | August 2020 |
| Nigeria | All visa categories | Mumbai | Sep-20 |
| Norway | Residence permit and pre-approved Category C | Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi, New Delhi and Kolkata | June – September 2020 |
| Poland | Category D | Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi and Kolkata | July2020 |
| Portugal | E6 for holders of expired Portuguese residence card, D6 for holders of expired Family Reunification D6 visas, Category D and pre-approved Category C | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata | June – September 2020 |
| South Africa | All visa categories | Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi and Kolkata | September – October 2020 |
| South Korea | Seamen Short term, Work Permit (C4) and Long-term applications | New Delhi, Kolkata | June2020 – March 2021 |
| Sweden | As per Embassy’s Approval | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata | October-November 2020 |
| Switzerland | Category D and pre-approved Category C | Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi, New Delhi and Kolkata | July – August 2020 |
| Thailand | All visa categories | Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi and Hyderabad | Dec 2020 – Jan 2021 |
| The Netherlands | Seaman, LDR, Re-entry visa, Orange carpet/ Business (With prior approval) | Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi and Kolkata | July – September 2020 |
| Turkey | All visa categories | Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Chennai, Bangalore and New Delhi | June – September 2020 |
| UAE – DVPC | All visa categories (online); 30 day and 90 day tourist visas (in- VAC) | Online application in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Kochi | June – August 2020 |
| United Kingdom | All Visa categories / passport collection | Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Kolkata, and Goa (once a month only) | Jul-20 |
| Ukraine | All visas except tourist | Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi and Kolkata, | August 2020 / September 2020 |
| USA | All visa categories | All India | August 2020 – February 2021 |
Please note: Airtravel on all routes is subject to government advisories and permissions for air travel may be independent of the visa process.
Restart of other visa application processes
Please note that VFS Global Visa Application Centres can open only when the concerned Embassy / Consulate provides approval and directs it to do so. It does not decide on re-opening of any Centre on its own.
Some countries may have limited slots opened for appointments at present and only in certain cities.Customers are advised not to fall prey to touts or fraudsters who offer false promises of appointments / visas / job / immigration in exchange for payment.
Health and safety precautions at the Centres
As an extra layer of caution to ensure the health and safety of customers and employees alike, VFS Global has established standardised protective measures to be followed across centres, including physical distancing and sanitisation, body temperature checks, use of masks and sanitizers, disinfecting high-contact surfaces, etc. Customers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, including high fever, cough and difficulty in breathing will not be permitted to enter the centre.
COVID-19 test booking and health insurance services
Anticipating customer needs further, VFS Global introduced online booking of COVID-testing facilities at the beginning of September. Being ahead of the curve with their operational excellence, the company has ensured the utmost comfort to customers by allowing them to avail this facility at their doorstep as well. This service has been rolled out in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Chennai, Pune and Kochi.
For greater convenience, health and travel insurances are also readily available for purchase for customers visiting VFS Global Visa Application Centres.
‘Visa At Your Doorstep’ service
As an optional service to customers wanting to complete their entire visa application submission process from the comfort of their home or office, VFS Global continues to provide the “Visa At Your Doorstep” servicewhereby a customer can submit the application, enrol biometrics, and get the passport couriered back to their his/her location of choice.
Courier service
As a precautionary measure, customers may also opt for our courier servicesto get their passports delivered to their preferred address, after adjudication by the concerned diplomatic mission.This service may also be made mandatory by certain countries.
We are committed to sharing timely information on re-openings with our customers in all countries, on our social media channels and the COVID-19 Customer Advisories page that is updated in real time.