VFS India Customer Care: How to reach the right help, fast

VFS Global manages visa application centres (VACs) and customer support for dozens of foreign governments in India, including Schengen states, the UK, Canada, Australia, and many others. Because service models are set by each partner government, customer care channels, hours, and fees differ by destination country and city. The most reliable way to get the correct contact details is to start from the India-specific page for your destination on the official VFS Global website.

This guide explains exactly how to contact VFS in India, what customer care can and cannot assist with, typical fees and timelines, how to track applications, and how to escalate an issue if something goes wrong. It also highlights India-specific practical tips so you can avoid delays and unnecessary costs.

Find the correct VFS India contact for your destination

VFS Global support is mission-specific: a helpline that serves France in India will be different from the one for Australia, for example. United States visas in India are not handled by VFS Global (they use ustraveldocs/CGI Federal), so contacting VFS for US visa questions will not help. Always begin by selecting your destination country from the India hub.

Go to https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en, choose the country you plan to visit, and then open “Contact us” on that mission’s page. You will see the approved helpline number(s), email/webform link, city-wise VAC addresses with working hours, and any local public holidays when centres are closed. Those mission pages are updated more reliably than third-party sources or social media posts.

Customer care channels in India and how to use them effectively

VFS offers multiple support channels. Availability varies by mission, but in India you will typically find a phone helpline, a web contact form, VAC front-desk support during working hours, and social media assistance for general guidance. Keep your personal data to a minimum on public channels and share sensitive details only via the official webform or helpline as instructed.

• Mission page “Contact us” form: Best for non-urgent queries, attachments (receipts, appointment letters), or written records. Response is typically within 24–72 business hours; peak season may take longer.
• Phone helpline (listed on the mission page): Best for time-sensitive appointment changes or service add-ons. Hours are usually Monday–Friday during business hours (local time); some missions run extended hours during March–June and September–November peaks.
• VAC front desk: For in-person questions about submissions, passport return, or add-on services. You must visit the correct city/VAC for your mission.
• Web chat/chatbot on vfsglobal.com: Useful for navigation and basic FAQs; it cannot access your personal application data.
• Social support: X (Twitter) handle @VFSGlobalCare provides general guidance and directs you to the correct mission links. Do not post passport numbers or application references publicly.
• Courier partners: If your passport has been dispatched, the mission page often shows the courier tracking link; contact the courier only after VFS shows “dispatched/handed over.”

Always include your full name as on passport, passport number, date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY), application reference or appointment ID, the destination country, and the VAC city in your first message. Attaching a redacted copy of your VFS receipt and appointment confirmation speeds up verification and reduces back-and-forth.

Information to keep handy before you contact VFS

Have these ready: your passport number; VFS application reference (from your receipt or email), or appointment ID; the destination country and visa category; your VAC city; date of appointment or submission; and your contact number and email used in the application. If you opted for courier return, keep the airway bill or tracking ID.

If you are writing about a missed appointment or a reschedule, note the original slot, the reason, and your next preferred dates. For payment issues, list the transaction ID, payment method (card/UPI), the exact amount charged, and the time stamp. Precise details help customer care locate your record on the first attempt.

What VFS India customer care can and cannot do

Customer care can help you find and book/reschedule appointments, explain required documents as per published checklists, add or refund optional services where policy allows, assist with payment/receipt issues, and provide application tracking updates based on the same status you see online (“forwarded to Embassy/Consulate,” “under process,” “processed application received at VAC,” and so on). They can also confirm VAC addresses, public holiday closures, and working hours.

Customer care cannot influence the visa decision, justify a refusal, guarantee processing times, or expedite your case beyond the officially offered priority services (if any for your mission). They also cannot change information in your visa application form after submission, and they are not authorized to advise on visa eligibility or interpretation of immigration rules—that belongs to the destination government authority.

Appointments, rescheduling, and refunds in India

Appointment availability in India is highly seasonal, with pressure spikes before summer (March–June) and during autumn travel (September–November). Most missions let you reschedule a limited number of times within the same fee payment; a no‑show can lock your profile for a cooling period or require a fresh fee, depending on mission policy. Book only one appointment per applicant and ensure the name matches your passport exactly to avoid being turned away at the VAC.

Refund rules vary by mission. Government visa fees are usually non‑refundable once paid, even if you cancel or are refused. VFS service fees and optional services may be refundable if you cancel before the appointment or before a service is rendered; processing usually takes 7–15 business days back to the original payment method. In India, Goods and Services Tax (GST) at 18% applies to most service fees. Check the mission’s “Fees” and “Terms of Service” pages for exact conditions.

Optional services in India and typical price ranges

Many Indian VACs offer optional conveniences. Prices differ by city and mission, but the ranges below reflect common brackets observed in India in 2024–2025. Always verify current rates on your mission page before purchase; some services are limited or blacked out on peak days.

• Premium Lounge: INR 2,000–3,500 per applicant for a quieter area, assisted submission, and shorter queues.
• Prime Time submission (outside standard hours): INR 1,000–1,800 per applicant when available.
• Courier return of passport: INR 600–900 per passport; add-on for secure delivery to your address.
• SMS/email status updates: INR 85–150 per application.
• Form-filling/Document check: commonly INR 1,000–2,500 depending on complexity and mission.
• Photo/print/photocopy: photos typically INR 200–300; prints INR 20–50 per page; photocopy INR 2–5 per page.
• Visa At Your Doorstep (home/office biometric collection): frequently INR 6,000–10,000+ per applicant, with city surcharges.

Prices usually include 18% GST where applicable. Optional services do not improve the chance of approval or accelerate government processing unless explicitly labeled (e.g., a mission’s official “priority/super priority” processing fee, if offered).

Tracking your application and understanding timelines

Use the “Track application” tool on your mission’s VFS page; you will need your reference number and date of birth. Status messages are standardized: “application forwarded to the Embassy/Consulate,” “under process,” “processed application received at VAC,” and “dispatched via courier.” “Processed application received at VAC” generally means your passport can be collected at the centre (check pick‑up hours) or is ready to be couriered as per your selection.

Processing times are set by the destination authority. As a broad reference (subject to change): many Schengen short‑stay applications cite up to 15 calendar days in normal periods (can extend to 45 during peak/complex cases), the UK commonly indicates up to 15 working days for standard service, and Canada/Australia vary widely by category and biometrics/medical stages. VFS cannot quote or guarantee a decision date; consult the destination authority’s official timeline page linked from your mission page.

Escalations and complaints in India

If you do not receive a response within the timeframe shown on the mission page (often 48–72 business hours), reply on the same ticket with your reference number and request an escalation. You can also submit a “Feedback/Complaint” via the mission page’s contact section, selecting the appropriate category (service quality, delay, payment issue, etc.). For in-person matters (e.g., appointment denial at the VAC), ask to speak to the duty supervisor or VAC manager the same day.

For courier delays beyond the service-level shown in your tracking, first confirm the VFS status shows “dispatched,” then escalate with the courier using your airway bill and, in parallel, notify VFS via the webform so they can log and chase the handover. If you believe there is a data or privacy concern with your file, describe it clearly via the official contact form on the mission page and request that the case be flagged to the appropriate internal team. For matters that require policy decisions (waivers, visa validity, reconsiderations), escalate to the destination Consulate/Embassy using the contact path provided on their official site; VFS cannot intervene in such decisions.

Practical India-specific tips to avoid problems

Peak months in India are March–June and September–November; appointments for popular destinations can be released in batches that fill within minutes. Create your profile in advance, keep your documents scanned to PDF, and sign in 10–15 minutes before release windows. If you plan to travel as a family, book sequential slots at the same VAC to avoid partial submissions that complicate joint itineraries.

Arrive at the VAC 15–30 minutes before your slot with your passport, appointment letter/QR, completed forms, and payment card/UPI device if you intend to buy add-ons. Security restrictions at many VACs limit large bags and electronics; check the mission page for locker availability and fees if you must carry them. Digital payments are widely supported; cash acceptance varies by city. For minors, carry birth certificates and consent forms per the mission’s checklist; for biometrics-exempt applicants, bring proof of exemption to avoid wasted trips.

Quick reference links and how to use them safely

India mission hub: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en — select your destination country to see the correct “Contact us,” fees, checklists, VAC addresses, working hours, and tracking links. Global site: https://www.vfsglobal.com — for corporate information, service descriptions, and site-wide announcements that may affect India operations.

Social support: https://twitter.com/VFSGlobalCare — use for general guidance and to be directed to the correct mission page. Never share your passport number, date of birth, or application reference in public replies; use direct messages only when asked and keep details minimal. For anything involving personal data or transactions, the mission’s official contact form and helpline listed on the VFS site remain the primary channels.

How can I contact VFS Global India?

Helpline

• Contact us by phone:
• For India: 0 22 67866004 (between 08:00 and 17:00, from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) )
• For Nepal: 9779817011745 (between 08:00 and 16:00, from Monday to Friday)
• Contact us by email: Email now.
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• Click here to chat with our representative: Chat Now.
• Click to Talk.

How do I file a complaint against VFS?

Complaints

1. VFS Global. 110 Sutter St Fl 5 San Francisco, CA 94104-4002.
2. VFS Global. 505 Montgomery St #1139 San Francisco, CA 94111.

How do I request for refund in VFS Global India?

To apply for a refund, you must properly and fully complete and submit a Refund Request by filling online form on “Contact Us page. All refund requests should be submitted to VFS by You either through an email or in person in the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre or though the online form.

How can I book a VFS appointment in India?

So I’ll just select Bangalore. But you can select your uh VFS center accordingly. And choose your appointment category would be short-term. And then choose your subcategory. Would be tourist.