Millions of Indians apply for Schengen visas through VFS Global centres every year. Now, a series of European inspection reports has put parts of that system under uncomfortable scrutiny.

According to several media reports and internal European Union inspection findings reviewed by multiple international news organisations, VFS Global visa application centres in India were flagged for data-handling failures, misleading service practices, appointment irregularities, and weak oversight between 2020 and 2025.

The concerns reportedly involve VFS centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Jalandhar, all key locations for Indian travellers seeking Schengen visas.

What EU Inspectors Found

The reports describe several operational lapses linked to personal and biometric data management.

According to inspection findings cited by The Indian Express, some centres stored applicants’ biometric information on unencrypted CDs, transmitted sensitive data through open email channels, and failed to destroy records within required timelines. European authorities reportedly viewed these practices as inconsistent with GDPR data-protection standards.

For Indian travellers, that matters because Schengen visa applications require fingerprints, photographs, passport details, financial records, and travel histories.

Questions Over Paid Services

The investigation also highlights concerns around optional services sold at visa centres. Inspectors reportedly found that services such as:

• Premium Lounges
• SMS Updates
• Courier Return
• Document Handling
• Extended-Hour Appointments

were not always presented clearly as optional.

In some cases, applicants allegedly paid for add-ons without fully understanding they had no impact on visa approval decisions.

This is becoming a familiar pattern across the global visa outsourcing industry. The more crowded visa systems become, the more travellers feel pushed toward paid convenience services to navigate the process.

Fake Slots, Agents, and Visa Shopping

EU inspection reports also raised concerns about appointment slot abuse and fraudulent activity. Issues flagged include:

• Fake Appointment Sales
• Forged Supporting Documents
• Visa Shopping Through Agents
• Unusually High No-Show Rates
• Improper Passport Retention Practices

Several reports also suggested that temporary fixes were often followed by the same problems resurfacing later.

Indian travellers are already familiar with appointment scarcity, particularly during peak European travel seasons from April to September.

The Business Behind The Visa Process

A separate cross-border investigation by Lighthouse Reports and partner media outlets describes VFS Global as one of the world’s largest visa outsourcing companies, working with 71 governments.

Notably, company profits rose sharply between 2017 and 2024, with a large share of revenue linked to optional value-added services rather than basic visa processing fees. It also cites allegations from former employees about sales targets and pressure to promote premium services.

VFS Global has denied wrongdoing and says its operations remain subject to continuous government audits, compliance checks, and oversight by client governments. The company also says corrective actions are implemented whenever required.

What Indian Travellers Should Do

If you’re applying for a Schengen visa this year:

• Use only official VFS websites for appointments.
• Be cautious of agents offering guaranteed slots.
• Verify whether paid add-on services are actually needed.
• Keep copies of all receipts and application records.
• Report suspicious appointment offers or payment requests immediately.

Take

We think this story exposes a weak spot in modern visa systems. Indians still need VFS for most Schengen applications, but travellers should question every extra fee and stay alert.

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