Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- VFS Global runs multiple visa application centres in London for different countries
- Centres serve India, China, UAE, South Africa, Turkey, Schengen states and others
- Specific address depends on the country being applied for - check vfsglobal.com
- Appointments are booked online via vfsglobal.com once you select the destination
- Document checklists, fees and processing times are set by the destination country's mission, not VFS
Address and Contact Details
VFS Global operates multiple visa application centres in London on behalf of embassies and consulates that outsource biometric and document submission. The exact London address depends on which country's visa is being applied for, as different missions use different VFS premises across central London.
Locations have included sites in Wandsworth, Holborn, Hounslow and other central districts. Each centre is dedicated to one or a small group of partner countries. The authoritative directory is at vfsglobal.com, where applicants select destination country, then UK as the location to find the relevant centre and contact details.
Phone enquiries for each country use a dedicated helpline operated by VFS Global on behalf of that mission. Numbers and email addresses are listed on each country page on vfsglobal.com. Public hours vary by centre and country.
Visa Services Available
VFS Global is a visa outsourcing service provider, not a decision-making body. Applications are reviewed and decided by the relevant embassy or consulate. Countries that have used VFS in London at various times include:
- India: tourist, business, e-Visa support and OCI services.
- China: tourist, business and family visit visas through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, where VFS or its sister network operates the service.
- United Arab Emirates: visa support services for UAE residence and certain visit visas.
- South Africa: tourist, business, study and relative's visas.
- Turkey: Schengen-style short stay visas for certain categories.
- Schengen states: France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and others have used VFS at certain times for parts of their visa processes.
- Australia, New Zealand and Canada: biometric capture services where required.
Decisions on each application are made by the destination country's embassy or consulate. VFS handles the application submission, fee collection, biometric capture, document return and tracking.
How to Book an Appointment
Appointments at VFS Global London centres are booked through vfsglobal.com. The applicant first selects the destination country, then the UK as the source country, then the visa category. The system displays available centres and dates.
Many centres release new slots in waves rather than all at once. Demand peaks during summer and around festival travel periods such as Eid, Diwali and Lunar New Year. Some categories offer premium or fast-track services for an additional fee charged by VFS.
On the day, applicants bring the printed appointment confirmation, photo identification, the completed application form and the document set required by the destination country. Late arrivals can be refused entry and asked to rebook.
Documents and Requirements
VFS does not set document requirements. Each destination country publishes its own checklist on vfsglobal.com and on the embassy or consulate's own site. Common items across most short stay visa applications include:
- A passport valid for the period required by the destination country, with sufficient blank pages.
- The completed visa application form for the destination country.
- Recent passport-style photographs meeting the country's photo standard.
- Flight bookings and accommodation evidence.
- Bank statements and proof of employment or studies in the UK.
- Travel insurance where the destination country requires it.
- For business or family visits, invitation letters from the host.
- For student or work cases, sponsor letters and admission or employment documents.
Some applications also require biometric data, with fingerprints and a digital photo taken at the VFS centre. Documents not in the destination country's accepted languages typically need certified translation.
Processing Times and Fees
Processing time is set by the destination country's mission, not by VFS Global. Many short stay visas are processed within 5 to 15 working days after VFS forwards the application to the embassy or consulate. Premium services may speed up the courier and tracking elements but do not change the embassy's decision time.
Fees fall into two parts. The first is the embassy visa fee set by the destination country, paid through VFS at submission. The second is the VFS service charge, which is set by VFS for its handling, biometric capture, courier and tracking. Optional add-ons such as premium lounge, document scanning and SMS updates carry separate prices.
Verify the current fee breakdown for each country on vfsglobal.com, as both embassy fees and VFS service charges change from time to time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does VFS Global actually do?
VFS Global is a visa outsourcing service provider used by many embassies and consulates worldwide. It handles application submission, fee collection, biometric capture, courier services and tracking, while the destination country's mission makes the actual decision on each visa.
Why are there multiple VFS centres in London?
Different countries contract their own dedicated centres or share centres for operational reasons. A single building cannot host every country's visa system because of biometric equipment, document handling and security requirements, so multiple London centres exist.
Is the VFS service fee separate from the embassy visa fee?
Yes. Each application has a destination country's embassy visa fee plus a VFS service charge for handling the submission. Both are paid through VFS at the time of appointment, often with optional add-ons listed separately.
Can I apply at any VFS centre regardless of where I live in the UK?
Many countries route applications based on the applicant's UK address, with separate centres in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh serving different regions. The booking system on vfsglobal.com confirms which centre handles applicants from each postcode.
Does VFS Global make the decision on my visa?
No. VFS Global staff do not decide visa applications. The destination country's embassy or consulate reviews the file and issues the decision. VFS notifies the applicant when the decision is ready and returns the passport with the visa stamp or refusal notice.
How We Verified This
Details in this article were cross-checked against vfsglobal.com country and centre pages, embassy and consulate websites that publicly identify VFS as their service provider, and GOV.UK travel advice mentioning VFS-handled application processes.
Sources
- VFS Global: vfsglobal.com
- VFS Global UK landing: visa.vfsglobal.com/gbr/en
- GOV.UK visa fees and locations: gov.uk/guidance/visa-application-fees
