India’s Visa Applications Hit Record High, Surpassing Pre-COVID Levels

India’s outbound travel has rebounded strongly, with visa applications surpassing pre-pandemic figures for the first time. According to VFS Global, visa applications from India in 2024 stood at approximately 67.6 lakh, reflecting a 4% increase from the 65 lakh applications recorded in 2019. This milestone underscores India’s growing global mobility and the increasing appetite for international travel.

While outbound travel from India has seen a significant rise, the inbound tourism sector is yet to fully recover. Data from the Union Tourism Ministry shows that foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India for 2024 stood at 96.6 lakh, a mere 1.4% increase from 2023’s 95.2 lakh. However, this figure remains 11.6% lower than the 1.1 crore FTAs recorded in 2019. The Indian tourism industry has been awaiting a full recovery in inbound travel, but factors such as regional developments and evolving travel patterns continue to impact this segment.

Indian Outbound Travel Surges Beyond Expectations

The number of Indians traveling abroad has seen a remarkable surge. Government data reveals that over 3 crore Indians traveled internationally in 2024, marking an 8.4% increase from 2023’s 2.8 crore and a 12.3% rise compared to 2019’s 2.7 crore. Popular destinations among Indian travelers include Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the US, and the UK.

VFS Global’s South Asia COO, Yummi Talwar, highlighted the importance of early visa applications to avoid last-minute rushes. “India continues to show a strong demand for international travel, and this robust momentum will persist in 2025. We encourage applicants to apply for visas well in advance to ensure a smooth travel experience,” Talwar stated.

Challenges in India’s Inbound Tourism Growth

Despite the surge in outbound travel, inbound tourism remains sluggish. According to industry experts, the reported FTA numbers include a significant proportion of the Indian diaspora returning for personal visits and expatriates working in India. Rajiv Mehra, President of the Inbound Tour Operators Association (IATO), pointed out that Bangladesh remains the largest source country for foreign arrivals, with a majority of travelers coming for employment rather than tourism.

“The actual number of foreign tourists visiting India is just a fraction of the official FTA figures,” Mehra noted. The slow pace of inbound recovery is a growing concern for India’s tourism sector, which relies heavily on international visitors.

Visa Application Guidance and Fraud Prevention

As demand for international travel grows, VFS Global has urged Indian travelers to be cautious of fraudulent websites and social media pages impersonating official visa service providers. “Appointments are free and available only through www.vfsglobal.com on a first-come, first-served basis. We continue to raise awareness about this issue and urge applicants to plan their travel early,” Talwar emphasized.

VFS Global, which partners with 52 sovereign governments in India, facilitates visa processing through a network of over 560 application centers across 19 cities. The organization remains committed to streamlining the visa application process while ensuring security and efficiency for Indian travelers.

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