International travel is becoming easier as visa processing systems improve, even though travellers continue to worry about approvals amid changing global immigration policies.
Speaking at India Today’s FAITH Tourism Conclave 2026, Yummi Talwar, COO, South Asia, VFS Global, said visa demand has largely returned to normal after the post-pandemic surge. She added that the future of visa processing will be driven by digitisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and greater operational efficiency.
Talwar said travellers across South Asia, Europe and the Middle East experience similar levels of visa anxiety because the process is largely the same everywhere.
She noted that geopolitical developments and stricter immigration policies have increased concerns among applicants. However, she stressed that genuine travellers should not be overly worried, as visa decisions depend on the purpose of travel and are taken by governments, not visa processing companies.
She also clarified that VFS Global’s role is limited to processing applications and facilitating the submission process, while embassies make the final decision.
According to Talwar, the rush seen after the COVID-19 pandemic has eased considerably. The sharp rise in “revenge travel” had created appointment shortages as embassies struggled with limited capacity, but that phase has now largely passed.
She said visa application volumes in India have returned close to pre-pandemic levels. During peak travel periods, VFS Global processes around 45,000 visa applications daily across India.
Talwar added that the company has expanded capacity, improved internal processes and worked closely with governments to make visa services more efficient.
Looking ahead, Talwar said digitisation will transform visa processing over the next five years. She pointed to countries such as the UK, which have already introduced e-visas, while more governments are expected to adopt similar systems.
She also said VFS Global is integrating AI into its operations to improve efficiency and reduce processing time for applicants and embassies alike.
According to Talwar, international mobility will continue to grow, with demand gradually expanding beyond leisure travel to business, education and healthcare.
She added that while premium services such as doorstep visa applications have improved convenience, the biggest expectation from travellers remains quicker appointment availability. VFS Global, she said, is working closely with governments to unlock more capacity and make the visa process smoother for applicants.