VFS customer care number: how to reach the right helpline quickly and safely

“VFS customer care number” does not refer to a single global phone line. VFS Global operates country- and mission-specific contact centers for the embassies and consulates it serves. The correct number depends on two factors: your country of residence and the country you’re applying to (for visas, passport/consular, or citizen services). Numbers, hours, languages, and call charges vary by location, and they change periodically.

Because of this, the most reliable way to get the current phone number is to use VFS Global’s official contact pages. Avoid third‑party directories and cached results; many show outdated numbers. Below you’ll find precise steps, official links, patterns that help you locate the right page quickly, and practical guidance on when and how to call.

What VFS Global customer care can and cannot do

VFS Global is an outsourced service provider. Its customer care teams handle appointment bookings, document checklists, fee information, biometrics guidance, and status tracking support for the application centers they manage. They cannot influence visa decisions or speed up processing—those remain the responsibility of the relevant government authority.

When you call, expect identity verification and case lookup via your application reference number, passport number, and date of birth. For most locations, VFS customer care can confirm whether your application is under process, dispatched, or ready for pickup, and they can advise on add‑on services (courier return, SMS updates, photocopying, premium lounges, etc.), along with the applicable fees as published on the local VFS page.

Fastest way to find your exact VFS customer care number

Use the official “Individuals” portal and select your route. This takes under a minute if you know your two countries (where you’re applying from, and which country you’re applying to):

Step-by-step:
1) Go to https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/ and click “Start Now”.
2) Select your country/territory of residence.
3) Select the country you’re applying to (e.g., Germany, UAE, India).
4) On the resulting portal, open “Contact Us” (usually in the top menu or footer).
5) The page lists the current customer care phone number(s), email/webform, business hours, and any call charges.

Direct link pattern and examples

Most visa center contact pages follow a predictable URL pattern you can type directly:
https://visa.vfsglobal.com/[residence ISO-3]/en/[destination ISO-3]/contact-us
For example:
– India → Germany: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu/contact-us
– United Arab Emirates → United Kingdom: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/are/en/gbr/contact-us
– United States → France: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/fra/contact-us

If a page returns “Not found” or redirects, go via the Individuals portal above to account for country-specific sites (some services use a “services.vfsglobal.com” domain, or have a dedicated portal for consular/citizenship services). Always rely on the Contact Us page you reach after choosing both countries; that page is the authoritative source for the helpline number, hours, and available languages.

Hours, languages, and possible call charges

VFS customer care hours typically mirror local business hours, commonly Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00 or 09:00–17:00 local time, excluding public holidays observed by the local application centers. Exact hours are listed on each Contact Us page, and some locations offer Saturday service during peak seasons.

Calls are usually billed at your network’s standard local or national rates. In a few locations, helplines operate on premium or toll models (e.g., charged per minute or a flat fee) as disclosed on the contact page before you dial. If a charge applies, you’ll see the rate clearly stated (currency, amount, and conditions). Where available, webforms and email are free; response times are indicated on the local site.

Alternatives to calling: official digital channels

If you cannot reach the phone line or prefer written responses, use the official webform or email listed on the Contact Us page for your route. Many centers also support “Ask EVA,” VFS Global’s virtual assistant, accessible from most country pages and from the Individuals portal.

VFS Global’s official social care handle on X (Twitter) is @VFSGlobalCare. They can signpost you to the correct contact channel and page. Do not share personal data publicly; they will typically move you to direct messages and still ask you to use the local contact form for case-specific information.

Escalation and feedback

For service-related feedback (not visa decisions), use the official feedback channel linked from your local site. If you cannot locate it, start at https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/ and follow the route selection to the “Feedback/Complaints” link.

Escalations typically require your application reference number, full name (as in passport), date of birth, center name, and a concise description of the issue (e.g., appointment booking error, payment problem, document return delay). Keep screenshots or receipts attached where the webform allows.

What to prepare before you dial

Having the right details ready shortens your call and helps the agent locate your record. It also reduces the need for call-backs in peak periods when lines are busy (especially April–September for many Schengen missions and July–October for student intakes).

• Your application reference number and/or VAC receipt number; if you booked online, have the appointment confirmation email open.
• Passport details (number, full name, date of birth) exactly as entered in your application, plus your contact email and mobile number used during booking.
• The specific center and route (city, country you are applying from, and destination country), and your query type: appointment, payment, document checklist, status, courier return, rescheduling, or refund.
• Any error messages, screenshots, and timestamps if you are reporting a portal or payment issue; note the browser/device used.
• Proof of payment (last four digits of the card, transaction ID, date, amount, and currency) if your question involves fees or receipts.

Common reasons to contact VFS customer care—and how they handle them

Appointment booking and rescheduling: the helpline can confirm slot availability, explain release windows, and guide you on paid assistance options if offered locally. For name or passport number typos in bookings, they’ll advise whether you must cancel and rebook or if a correction can be noted.

Application status and passport return: agents can check whether your file is “under process,” “processed,” or “dispatched/ready for collection,” and confirm courier tracking if you purchased return delivery. For privacy reasons, decisions are not shared over the phone; you’ll be directed to the official tracking link or your email/SMS notifications.

Fees, refunds, and add‑on services

VFS Global collects service fees on behalf of the mission plus its own service charge; amounts differ by country and visa category and are shown on your route’s “Service and Fees” page. Add‑on services—such as SMS updates, photocopying, printing, premium lounge, prime time appointment, or courier return—are optional and priced locally. The helpline can quote the current fees for your center.

For duplicate payments or failed transactions, customer care will request your proof of payment and submit a case to finance. Refund eligibility depends on local terms (e.g., appointment not attended vs. visa fee paid to the mission); processing times and methods (bank transfer vs. card reversal) are provided in writing through the webform or email.

Safety and authenticity: avoid fake numbers

Unfortunately, search ads and listings may display spoofed VFS helplines. Signs of fraud include requests to pay fees over the phone, demands for OTPs, or promises to “expedite approvals.” VFS Global does not accept visa fee payments by phone, and it cannot influence decisions or timelines.

To stay safe, always retrieve the helpline from the official route page reached via https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/. Check that any email domain matches what is listed on your Contact Us page (for example, addresses often end with official VFS domains and are linked from the site). When in doubt, use the webform on the same page rather than dialing numbers posted on social media or forums.

Quick reference: official places to get the right number

Use these official entry points to ensure you are calling the correct, current VFS customer care number for your specific route and center:

• Individuals portal (start here): https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/ → select your residence country and destination → Contact Us.
• Direct pattern for visa routes: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/[residence ISO-3]/en/[destination ISO-3]/contact-us (example: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu/contact-us).
• Official social care (signposting only): X/Twitter @VFSGlobalCare.
• Feedback and complaints: link provided on your local route site after selection; submit via the official webform for a case number and written response.

If your case is urgent (e.g., imminent travel with a passport at the center), state your travel date and center location clearly when you call or in the webform subject line. For all other inquiries, using the webform outside peak hours often yields a written response you can keep for reference.