VFS Global has observed a major surge in visa applications in South Africa this year.
The visa outsourcing and technology service specialist said it could see that the volume of applications in the four months from January to April, 2022, was close to the total volume of applications made in South Africa in 2021. The number of applications during this period is over six times more than the same period last year.
The pandemic years 2020 and 2021 saw little travel by South Africans. Obviously, the reason for this was that many international borders remained closed to South Africans during 2021, unless they were travelling for proven business or compassionate reasons, and often, when travellers from South Africa were allowed to enter a country, they were subjected to expensive and time-consuming quarantines or monitored self-isolation periods.
Now that South Africans can travel once more, they have itchy feet.
Hariprasad Viswanathan, VFS Global’s Head – Sub Saharan Africa, gave some pointers on visas in a media release.
*Although most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days before the date of travel, travellers need to apply for their visas well in advance, especially during this period when outbound travel demand is increasing, and also taking into consideration the limited number of appointment slots available.
*For Schengen visa seekers, he said that, according to the revised Schengen Visa Code, effective February 2, 2020, pax may apply for a Schengen visa up to six months before the date of travel.
*He recommends that clients arrive at the visa centre at least 15 minutes early, to avoid any chance of missing their appointment slot.
*VFS Global’s role is to manage non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visas, passport and consular, identity and citizen services for governments.
*Appointment slots are offered online based on the volume of demand or forecast, and in conjunction with the Embassy’s own internal capacity planning.
*VFS Global strongly advises applicants to be aware of touts and fraudulent parties who falsely promise early appointment bookings in exchange for payment.
*Clients can receive timely updates on their application’s progress by using VFS Global’s online tracking service. The status will be updated as soon as the passport is ready for collection/delivery. But the company cannot track applications during the assessment process within an Embassy or Consulate.
*VFS Global does not offer advice or guidance on visa categories or vaccination requirements.
In South Africa, VFS Global services 18 governments and their diplomatic missions, through 11 centres across the country.