Global visa outsourcing giant VFS Global has come under intense scrutiny following an international investigation led by non-profit newsroom Lighthouse Reports. Internal monitoring documents reportedly exposed widespread irregularities, data security concerns, and operational failures across several VFS visa application centres in India.
The cross-border investigation, which involved media organisations from 11 countries, examined assessments submitted by multiple European Union member states. According to the findings, a 20-member EU delegation recently visited India to discuss ongoing operational concerns directly with VFS management after repeated complaints and field inspections.
Internal EU documents reportedly highlighted several recurring problems, including poor document handling, scanning errors, weak IT infrastructure, bandwidth issues, and failure to properly follow application procedures. Among all centres reviewed, the New Delhi visa application centre was identified as having the highest concentration of processing-related errors.
The investigation was based on more than 40 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests filed with the European Commission, the United Kingdom, and various EU member states. Major international publications, including The Indian Express, Der Spiegel, and Le Monde, participated in the collaborative investigation.
One of the most serious concerns raised in the reports involved applicant data security. Inspectors allegedly found that personal and biometric information was sometimes stored on unencrypted discs during transport and handling. A 2025 report from the Hungarian consulate also claimed that applicant data older than one month remained accessible in the VFS system in New Delhi, despite Schengen visa regulations requiring such data to be deleted within seven days of transmission.
Apart from technical and data-related issues, investigators also pointed to procedural inconsistencies and allegations surrounding the black-marketing of visa appointment slots. Several EU member states reportedly received complaints about difficulties in securing appointments through official channels.
The reports further questioned VFS Global’s handling of its value-added services business, which includes premium lounges, courier delivery, and SMS alert services. According to the findings, these optional services generate extremely high profit margins in India. A Swedish mission inspection conducted in Mumbai in 2025 reportedly found that VFS had failed to clearly inform applicants that these additional services were optional. Auditors also flagged issues involving refunds for wrongly charged applicants.
Another major concern highlighted by EU monitors was the lack of effective middle management and operational supervision. According to the reports, even after issues were raised and temporarily addressed, many centres quickly slipped back into administrative inefficiency and operational laxity.
Responding to the allegations, VFS Global defended its operations, stating that its services are transparent, heavily audited, and subject to continuous oversight by governments. The company claimed that it undergoes more than 10,000 audits and assessments every year through both internal and external auditors, including reviews conducted by client governments. VFS also maintained that structured corrective measures are implemented whenever operational problems are identified.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has reportedly signalled plans for stricter oversight of external visa service providers. In its recently adopted EU Visa Policy Strategy, the Commission stated that the increasing dependence on external service providers for visa processing requires stronger quality control and tighter monitoring mechanisms.
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