Outsourcing giant VFS Global confirmed on 12 January that it will move its Schengen, UK and Irish visa application centres in New Delhi into a single “visa super-centre” early next month. France will be among the first Schengen missions to migrate, with appointment slots redirected to the new premises from 15 February onward. (midnightoncampus.com)
For Indian corporates sending staff to Paris, Lyon or Toulouse, the immediate benefit is a one-stop shop offering biometric capture, document scanning and courier return under one roof. However, the consolidation also means a temporary freeze on premium-slot upgrades while the IT systems are merged. Travel-management companies are advising clients with urgent trips in mid-February to apply before 5 February or route applications through Mumbai or Bengaluru.
![VFS Global to consolidate Schengen visa processing in New Delhi, affecting French applicants]()
If you prefer to outsource the paperwork entirely, VisaHQ can manage the France visa process end-to-end—from document pre-screening to appointment scheduling—while monitoring shifting requirements and centre locations in real time. Their platform (https://www.visahq.com/france/) is especially handy for firms juggling multiple travellers, cutting down on administrative follow-ups and last-minute surprises.
French tech firms courting the Indian talent pool should note that the Talent Passport procedure remains separate: eligibility checks still occur at France’s visa sections, but biometric enrolment will now happen at the new centre. VFS says a dedicated corporate counter and after-hours drop-off will be introduced by March to limit disruption.
The move is part of a wider real-estate rationalisation: VFS has already merged Canada, Australia and UAE desks in New Delhi. Analysts expect other French consulates worldwide to adopt similar hub-and-spoke models as visa volumes rebound to pre-pandemic levels. (midnightoncampus.com)
For Indian corporates sending staff to Paris, Lyon or Toulouse, the immediate benefit is a one-stop shop offering biometric capture, document scanning and courier return under one roof. However, the consolidation also means a temporary freeze on premium-slot upgrades while the IT systems are merged. Travel-management companies are advising clients with urgent trips in mid-February to apply before 5 February or route applications through Mumbai or Bengaluru.
If you prefer to outsource the paperwork entirely, VisaHQ can manage the France visa process end-to-end—from document pre-screening to appointment scheduling—while monitoring shifting requirements and centre locations in real time. Their platform (https://www.visahq.com/france/) is especially handy for firms juggling multiple travellers, cutting down on administrative follow-ups and last-minute surprises.
French tech firms courting the Indian talent pool should note that the Talent Passport procedure remains separate: eligibility checks still occur at France’s visa sections, but biometric enrolment will now happen at the new centre. VFS says a dedicated corporate counter and after-hours drop-off will be introduced by March to limit disruption.
The move is part of a wider real-estate rationalisation: VFS has already merged Canada, Australia and UAE desks in New Delhi. Analysts expect other French consulates worldwide to adopt similar hub-and-spoke models as visa volumes rebound to pre-pandemic levels. (midnightoncampus.com)
