VFS Global awarded global contract to process visas to Slovakia from India and 82 other countries

VFS Global has secured a five-year global contract from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic to handle visa applications from 83 countries, including India. The contract covers short-stay and long-stay visas and includes the opening of 159 visa application centres worldwide to meet rising traveller demand.

Under the agreement, VFS Global will open 87 new centres in 41 countries in January 2026, followed by another 72 centres in 42 countries during the contract period. Slovakia recorded more than 2.16 million international visitors in the year to December 2024, marking a 3.9% rise, with India expected to drive the highest demand for visa applications.

The company will offer applicants optional premium services such as document verification, translation, courier return, and Premium Lounge access. These services aim to enhance convenience, and the company emphasised that selecting them “will not affect the decision-making process or timeline of visa applications.”


VFS Global’s responsibilities remain limited to administrative tasks, including collecting forms, verifying documents, and biometric enrolment. Visa decisions will continue to rest with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic or authorised Schengen bodies.

Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, VFS Global manages application services for 69 governments and operates more than 3,900 centres in 165 countries. Since 2001, it has processed over 514 million transactions through VFS Global and CiX Citizen Experience.