An internal European Union audit report made public on May 28 reveals extensive deficiencies at VFS Global’s Schengen-visa application centres across India. A 20-member EU delegation that inspected Indian facilities and surveyed 11 member-state consulates found recurring problems ranging from missing biometrics and incorrect data entry to allegations of appointment slots being sold by centre staff. The worst error rates were reportedly recorded in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. According to the audit, several EU missions complained that quality improved briefly after complaints but soon deteriorated again, prompting Slovakia to switch to a different service provider entirely. Other missions cited “lax document sequencing, poor scanning, inadequate IT bandwidth and inconsistent fee transfers.” Applicants were also pressured to buy premium services without informed consent, leading Sweden to demand signed opt-out forms. The delegation proposed joint spot checks, common SOPs and stronger mid-level supervision to curb malpractices. Member states also asked VFS Global to clarify refund procedures for inadmissible files and to address chronic understaffing. While Switzerland admitted it “has no alternative but to work with VFS,” Poland said complaints of slot-selling arrive “almost daily.” For Indian travellers and the multinational companies that routinely move employees to Europe, the findings explain long visa queues, lost documents and opaque fees. Mobility managers should expect tighter audits, additional spot checks and, potentially, new competitors entering the outsourcing market if contracts are retendered. In the short term, corporates should pad application timelines, insist on complete digital copies of submissions and warn travellers against third-party touts claiming to guarantee appointments.
Source: The Indian Express
