Visa application services: Restart status update (April 2021)

 

The last quarter has witnessed intermittent activity for the international travel community, with borders opening sporadically in step with vaccination drives in various regions. We at 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 31 March 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 check www.vfsglobal.com for details. Real time updates are also posted on our social media channels and the COVID-19 Customer Advisories page.

Please note: Air travel 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 D and 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	June 2020
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 – March 2021
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	July 2020
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	June 2020 – 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: Air travel 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” service whereby 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 services to 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.