Envision and lead

VFS Global touched 200 million applications in 2019 since its inception in 2001. Zubin Karkaria, CEO, VFS Global, speaks of innovation and how it helped the company scale new heights.

Hazel Jain

VFS Global has had a good decade. It touched 200 million applications in 2019 since inception in 2001, recording 100 million of those in the last four years alone. For 2020, it looks to further expand its operations as global travel grows and outsourcing visa services becomes an option for many more governments. Speaking about his plans for 2020, Zubin Karkaria says, “We are happy to announce that we are the official ticket partners for the highly-anticipated Expo 2020 in Dubai for GCC, India, China, Russia, UK, and Germany. B2B ticket sales have already commenced. We will be introducing more services aimed at customer convenience, apart from increasing the network of our centres in India for better accessibility.”

We are the official ticket partners for Expo 2020 in Dubai for GCC, India, China, Russia, UK, and Germany

He speaks about innovation and why it is important for the travel industry right now. “Innovation, to me, is the introduction of any service that eases the process for the end consumer. For visas specifically, it is steps taken to make the visa application process seamless for travellers.” VFS Global has several such initiatives – a range of optional services for customers to use while at the centre, doorstep visa services, etc.

“Travel has become a part of the Indian lifestyle, fuelled by a growing middle class with disposable income. I foresee the next decade to be even bigger for travel from India, but also for inbound travel,” Karkaria adds.

Sharing his idea of what a true leader is, he says, “A leader must be a great team- builder and a visionary who simultaneously creates value for all stakeholders including society at large.”