VFS Global

I wonder if somebody has been succesful to book a slot for visa application with them. It seems that the mission is impossible.

Why the embassy works with this scammers maybe because they are from Dubai or they have money laundry, they are thiefs

What a bad service you guys are doing
Waste of time and money
Rejecting the application just like that
What a pity service

Every time you ask something to their CSR team, they just send you the same email with the same bs and website links.

If you're looking for help from VFS, say a little prayer and prepare yourself for the worst service ever. They do not answer the phone so it's impossible to even make sure that you have the right documents. When they do pick up, the connection is atrocious. The one time I was able to get through, I was spoken to extremely rudely and the lady hung up on me. I called back and as soon as they heard my voice, they hung up. Also, everyone who works there seems quite incompetent and unable to even understand the simplest of words so I do not understand how they're working in a VISA office. It's really shocking considering who they are and what they're meant to be helping with.
I had an appointment today and travelled all the way from Nottingham to London, only to be told there was a small error in my application (I accidentally included my father's middle name when I shouldn't have) and they told me that I have to rebook the entire appointment again. I had put together all the documents myself without any help so I couldn't have known that this would be an issue. So when they told me I have to come back another time, I broke down because I cannot afford to do that. Seeing me in tears, they agreed to let me amend my application. If i hadn't have cried, they would have sent me all the way back. They also charge 10 pounds for a 2x2 picture, which I think is extortionate, and are generally incredibly rude. There's no order in the place at all, there are random children running around screaming so if you're crying and stressing about your application, it is guaranteed to make the experience even more stressful. I don't understand how they are still able to run their services at such a low quality and I saw several other people complaining about things. I sincerely hope I won't have to deal with them for the foreseeable future.

Great service and support by maam srijata bandy
Thanks your for your cooperation and help
Great location and service

This is really frustrating experience with VFS. My application received by VFS on 30th Nov and no update sent from VFS either through email or SMS. I paid twice each time more than $10 to the paid VFS customer care number just to get the update that my application is on hold because they need another set of Photo, I don't know how they can reject the Passport photos which was taken by professionals (CVS photos). Even after resending the photo more than a week, there is still no update and the status still shows "Your application is currently "on hold" due to certain deficiencies. Please check your email for more details and send the requested documents to the VFS Indian consular application Centre where you had submitted your application"

I don't know what is the going on here? This is the worst customer service by VFS by not sending us the updates through Email or SMS and expect us to call and pay everytime. My Husband and kids passport renewed through CKGS and we never had such situation before. Indian consulate should immidiately terminate VFS service and bring CKGS or any other goodone back.

VFS Global Visa Processing (badly)

I am trying to get a normal Schengen tourist visa. To do so, I am forced to use VFS Global Visa Processing. It is worth noting that for several countries VFS have a monopoly. They are the ONLY way that you can apply for visa for these countries.

What a pity therefore, when VFS systems simply don't work, or are so poorly designed, maintained and supported, that even getting an appointment to apply for a visa is a lottery.

I have come across two major problems so far;

First you have to set up an account. This is fine, except that once set up, you can't log in. A check with the automated support line shows that this is a known and common problem and the automated voice will tell you, "If you can't login, go and reset your password and them try again" - and again, and again.

Eventually, once logged in, you can then apply for an appointment, only to find the message that there are no free appointments and to try again 'later'. Another check with support shows that this is also a known and the automated voice will tell you, "please try another time."

So not a lot of help here. When do I try again, in an hour, a day, a week, a month or a year? How far ahead are appointments booked up, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year? Why don't VFS have a diary system, like systems that work do?

Here I should tell you about the UK government which has a website to book a driving test. These are very popular, and can be booked up for months ahead, but at least I can see the available slots on the diary and choose one. I mention this, to show that such a system is possible.

OK, so no joy with VFS. I'd better try again tomorrow, which I did, only to be faced with problem #1, can't login (again).

These problems are known by VFS Global, but they haven't wasted any time on fixing them.

A post from Portugal says, "A crucial strategy when faced with a lack of available appointments online is regular, diligent checking of the VFS online system."

So we learn that
A) this is a problem VFS has with visa processing in several countries, not just the Netherlands
B) their systems are designed poorly, and the onus is placed on the customer to jump over these hurdles instead of them providing a system that works.

It seems that VFS system is the very antithesis of Customer Service. As a customer you simply have to keep stabbing in the dark, day after day, hoping that an appointment might come up.

I note that VFS is a global company, bidding to provide services for countries all over the world. Imagine if, when you wanted to travel, and you required a visa, that the only option was using a VFS Global system.

This company could single-handedly be the death of the global tourist industry.

Its pathetic that govt of India still uses such an outdated tech company for its services! Shame!

I have been awaiting a a visa application reimbursement in South Africa since June 15th its now 11th August and nobody in this organization takes my query seriously. The call centre agents managers in Bruce Lukhele and Mohammed Bapoo go out of there way to stall and prevent the processing of reimbursements.

I was double charged for visa appointments for my wife and myself by Cindy Mouton at the Cape town VFSglobal branch for a Shengen visa to Italy on the 6th June. She admitted her error immediately but said that I needed to request a refund form this i filled out and sent off with the relevant receipts on the 17th June. I have been attempting without success to get my funds returned ever since then.

I requested through the call centre management to speak with the CEO or head of VFS global in South africa but was told that that would be impossible. I find the way in which this company hides behind its call centre completely unacceptable and wish to expose VFS and its staff for their shocking service and complete lack of customer care.

The sooner all embassies, consulates the Department of Home affairs and other organisations making use of VFSGlobal are made aware of the slew of complaints and move away from using this company the better.

All the staff members have very huge work load, Nobody have smiles on their face…. They Just realise you, You are a BEGGER here.

I have not received my passport yet because the delivery address was wrongly written by VFS Kolkata.

Very helpful officer very nice Good behavior and help full italy officer pavithra, Cyril, Farhan all staff are very helpful

This company has a monopoly for processing visa applications on behalf of consulates of several countries and has clearly no interest in providing a service of acceptable standards.
Unfortunately, I had to deal with their London branch for requesting a tourist visa to visit Italy for my partner, a UK-resident Turkish citizen.
It is absolutely a disgrace how they operate, surely the Italian Consulate is equally at fault for contracting them and ignoring the disservice.
VFS Global website is the only available channel to book visa appointments and it is a malfunctioning, obsolete website that, as stated by VFS customer service itself, is not compatible with most recent Mac operating systems/web browsers and will continuously give an error message when attempting to access bookings.
If you manage to bypass this obstacle and log into the system, you will find out that appointment slots are never available anyway and a pop-up window will advise you to try again later...until you have tried too many times and it will give you an error message again or block you.
We have now been trying for 4 weeks every day, several times a day, from 2 different computers, dedicating MANY HOURS to this process because we really need to travel and already have tickets and arrangements in place (as it is required in order to obtain a visa).
Out of 100s attempts, on 3 occasions a slot showed as available...only to disappear by the time we filled in the lengthy form necessary to complete the booking! Can you imagine the stress and disappointment of finding a slot after so many attempts just to realise the website is not holding it for you while you frantically fill in the details (that are not saved in your account in spite of having previously entered them) and you have to start all over again?!
This is beyond ridiculous and infuriating. Our flight is 2 weeks and I've lost hope we will make it.
In fact, the Italian Consulate in London does not have a functioning visa application system which makes it impossible to visit the country for those requiring one. And they couldn't care less.
If you contact the consulate directly about visa issues they will not get back to you and the automatic reply states that if they do not reply the first time it is highly unlikely they will if you email them again and if you insist they will put you in the spam (yes, it is not a joke!)
Ps
VFS Global has a collection of terrible reviews on several platforms and I read of many people describing the exact same problems I'm experiencing.
Surprisingly they have good reviews on Trustpilot and I honestly doubt they are genuine.
Shame on VFS Global and the Italian Consulate in London!

MY BIOMETRICS DID NOT GO THROUGH BECAUSE OF THEM AND I LOST MY POST STUDY WORK RIGHTS. This has costed me my university life.

Very bad service honestly do not for it please they are asking for more money which is not required

VFS Global, a subsidiary of Blackstone, responsible for providing India consular services in the USA, has come under scrutiny for its mandatory imposition of fees, particularly SMS charges, which are optional in nature. This practice, while seemingly harmless, has allegedly generated over half a million dollars in just two months, raising concerns about its ethicality and transparency.

The online portal of VFS Global is accused of manipulating users by discreetly adding SMS fees to their transactions, regardless of whether the service is desired or not. Despite numerous complaints and attempts to address the issue with both VFS and the Embassy of India, no action has been taken to rectify the situation. This failure to address customer concerns suggests a lack of accountability and transparency on the part of both VFS Global and the Indian authorities.

It appears that VFS Global and its affiliated institutions have prioritized financial gains over customer satisfaction and ethical business practices. By imposing mandatory fees and disregarding customer feedback, they have demonstrated a disregard for the rights and interests of the Indian diaspora in the USA.

In conclusion, the mandatory fees imposed by VFS Global for India consular services in the USA, particularly the SMS charges, raise serious ethical concerns. The lack of action by both VFS Global and the Embassy of India to address these concerns reflects poorly on their commitment to customer satisfaction and transparency. It is imperative that steps are taken to rectify this situation and ensure that the rights and interests of the Indian diaspora are safeguarded.