VFS Global reports that, in 2023, visa application volumes globally were at 80 of 2019 levels and South African volumes were nearing pre-pandemic levels at 94.
The company said it had received 24,1 million applications in 2023 compared with 30,31 million in 2019.
Owing to the surge in global travel demand, VFS Global processed a record 35 more global visa applications in 2023 than in 2022, and 25 more in South Africa.
'Based on the initial trends, we expect the increases in international travel in 2022 and 2023 to continue this year as well,' said VFS Global Head of Operations of Southern Africa, Nadia Wick .
The upward trend in global applications is expected to continue throughout 2024.
