News Desk, News Nation 360 : In 2023, visa applications from Kolkata increased significantly and reached pre-pandemic levels as travellers felt more comfortable exploring foreign places. VFS Global projects that in 2023, the number of visa applications from Kolkata will increase by 2% annually. Visa applications from Kolkata reached 91% of 2019 levels in comparison to pre-pandemic levels. In alphabetical order, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the UK, and the US are among the top travel destinations for Indian tourists in 2023. Head of South Asia at VFS Global – Vishal Jayarath stated that In 2022, they anticipate strong demand from India and the whole South Asian region, resulting in a high-demand outbound travel season with steady volumes all year long. With cutting-edge technology and seamless, extremely safe, and dependable solutions provided by first-rate customer support they promise to deliver. Personalised services are in high demand, and this trend will likely
continue to influence visa application patterns in 2023. Customised services like Visa at Your Doorstep (VAYD) that enable applicants to finish the entire visa application process from the comfort of their homes or any other location of their choice have seen a significant increase, according to VFS Global. With this premium service, customers can apply, enrol in biometrics, and have their passports couriered to a preferred location. India's VAYD reservations will increase by almost five times in 2023 compared to 2019. Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom are among the 16 countries in India to which VFS Global provides VAYD services. The demand trend in Kolkata was consistent with the general growth trend observed in India, where the number of visa applications increased by 16% in 2023 compared to the previous year. In 2019, 93% of visa applications from India were received compared to pre-pandemic figures.
Pic - Krishnendu Kundu
