Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- VFS Global operates UK visa application centres on behalf of more than 60 foreign governments.
- It handles biometrics, document submission and passport return only. Visa decisions are made by the embassy or consulate, not by VFS.
- Book through the country-specific portal at vfsglobal.com, not the general homepage.
- VFS service fees are charged in addition to the government visa fee set by the destination country.
- Centres in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Bristol cover different country lists, so check availability before booking.
Address and Contact Details
VFS Global does not run one single UK office. Each country it represents uses its own premises, often within shared service centres in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Bristol. Some centres handle one country only, while others share a building with two or three other country operations.
To find the exact address for the country you are applying to, open the official portal at vfsglobal.com/en/individuals and select the destination country. The portal will then list the UK centres available for that country, with full street addresses, postcodes and opening hours.
VFS does not publish one central UK phone number. Country-specific helplines are listed on each country portal. Email enquiries are also routed per country, so a generic contact form will usually redirect you to the correct desk.
Verify the exact UK address and contact details for your destination country at vfsglobal.com before travelling to a centre.
Countries and Visa Types Handled
VFS Global is the largest visa outsourcing company in the world. In the UK it processes applications for countries including India, China (under the CVASC brand), the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and around 60 others.
The visa types handled vary by country and usually cover tourist, business, transit, student, work, family reunion and long-stay categories. For some destinations, VFS covers only short-stay visas while consular services such as passport renewals, citizenship documents or overseas citizen cards sit with another provider. The clearest example is India, where sticker visas go through VFS Global but OCI cards, passport renewals and police clearance certificates run through BLS International instead.
If a country offers an electronic visa, such as Turkey, Vietnam, Indonesia or the UAE, many UK residents will not need to visit a VFS centre at all. VFS handles the cases that fall outside the e-Visa system, such as long stays, work and study.
How to Book an Appointment
Booking is done through the country-specific portal, not the general VFS homepage. The standard flow is:
- Go to vfsglobal.com/en/individuals and select your destination country.
- Create an account on the country-specific VFS site.
- Complete the application form. For many countries you fill in the government form first (for example, France-Visas, India sticker visa form, or the Chinese visa application) and then start the VFS booking using your reference number.
- Pay the VFS service fee online.
- Choose a date, time and UK centre.
- Print the appointment letter and barcoded form.
If you are using a regulated immigration adviser, they may handle this booking on your behalf, but the biometric appointment itself must still be attended in person.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- Printed appointment confirmation with barcode.
- Current passport, plus any older passports if requested.
- Printed and signed application form.
- Passport-style photographs meeting the destination country's specification.
- Supporting documents for the visa category, such as bank statements, sponsor letter, hotel bookings, employment letter or invitation letter.
- Proof of payment for the government visa fee and VFS service fee.
- For dependants, marriage certificates, birth certificates and proof of relationship as required.
Original documents are usually retained until the visa is issued. Photocopies should be brought for documents you need to keep with you.
Processing Times and Fees
The VFS service fee is separate from the government visa fee. The service fee usually sits between roughly £20 and £40 per applicant depending on the country, with optional add-ons such as premium lounge access, photo service, SMS tracking and courier delivery available at extra cost.
Processing time is set by the embassy or consulate, not by VFS. A standard tourist visa decision typically takes 5 to 15 working days, while work, student and long-stay visas can take 15 to 30 working days or longer during peak season. Some countries also offer priority and super-priority services.
You can track your application using the reference number issued at the VFS centre, via the country-specific portal.
Featured Immigration Adviser - Paid Placement
This placement is reserved for a regulated immigration adviser specialising in VFS Global visa applications. OISC-registered firms only. Enquire about this slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VFS Global a UK government body?
No. VFS Global is a private outsourcing company that operates visa application centres on behalf of foreign governments. It does not work for the UK Home Office or UK Visas and Immigration.
Can VFS Global guarantee that my visa will be approved?
No. Decisions are made entirely by the embassy or consulate of the destination country. VFS staff cannot influence the outcome and do not see the decision being made.
Do I have to book through VFS or can I apply directly to the embassy?
For most countries that have appointed VFS as their official partner in the UK, applicants must use VFS. Direct embassy appointments are rare and usually limited to specific case types such as diplomatic or emergency.
Can I book one VFS appointment for visas to multiple countries?
No. Each country uses a separate booking system, separate file and separate biometric capture, even if the centres share a building.
Are VFS Global service fees refundable if my visa is refused?
The VFS service fee is generally non-refundable once the application has been lodged, even if the destination country refuses the visa. Government visa fees are also usually non-refundable.
How We Verified This
We cross-referenced the VFS Global UK portal, the country-specific VFS sites, and gov.uk guidance for UK residents applying for foreign visas. Where addresses or fees are subject to change, we have stated this in the body and linked to the official source rather than reproducing a figure that may date quickly.
