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Visa processing to get faster with AI, digitisation, says VFS Global COO

India Today – Top Stories

Jul 17, 2026

Visa processing to get faster with AI, digitisation, says VFS Global COO

Summary

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. 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 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. VFS Global, she said, is working closely with governments to unlock more capacity and make the visa process smoother for applicants.

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Visa processing to get faster with AI digitisation says VFS Global COO

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How long will your Canadian student visa take? Here are updated times

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued updated visa processing times for several categories, signaling key timeline adjustments for Indian students seeking permits to study in the country. Study permit processing times for India currently run around 8 to 12 weeks for standard applications, according to IRCC data. Indian applicants for a work permit from outside Canada currently face a processing time of 9 weeks, according to IRCC, with the department prioritising applications tied to essential occupations in agriculture, agri-food processing and healthcare. Visitor visa applicants from outside Canada currently see a processing time of 21 days, while those applying from within Canada face a 29-day wait, IRCC said. IRCC said applicants living outside Canada and the US who apply through a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate should add three to four months to account for mailing time. With inputs from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ...

Home Office rejects Palestinian Jerusalemite woman’s UK visa but approves husband’s

Officials not satisfied Therese Abdallah is a ‘genuine visitor’ and believe she would not leave after visit to son in London A Palestinian Jerusalemite who lives in London has been left devastated after a planned trip by his parents had to be cancelled when the Home Office ruled his mother was not a “genuine visitor” but granted his father a visa. Karim Abdallah, who has lived in the UK since 2019, was looking forward to hosting his parents, Therese Abdallah, 69, a retired English teacher, and his father, Ghassan Abdallah, a psychologist, for a few weeks. Both parents have previously travelled to the UK for academic visits without any visa problems, but in a rejection letter a Home Office worker said they could not be sure Therese would return home at the end of the trip. The decision was made all the more surprising by the fact that her husband of 40 years, who applied via the same process, had his visa approved. Palestinian Jerusalemites have a unique status. They are not Israeli citizens but have Israeli and Jordanian travel documents. She had had a UK visa application refused in 2019 based on a technical issue about submitting her bank statement as proof of her financial means in Hebrew, according to Karim. But when Therese applied this time, the Home Office rejected her current visa application, stating: “I note that your UK ties out weight (sic) your home country ties.” The official was not confident she would leave the UK at the end of her visit. “I am not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that you are a genuine visitor,” they stated in the refusal letter. Karim said: “Both my parents applied for their UK visitor visa using the same invitation from my partner and me. All visa applications are assessed on their individual merits and the evidence provided, including any declarations relating to previous visa refusals.”

Visa processing to get faster with AI, digitisation, says VFS Global COO

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