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Positive trends as outbound travel picks up Opening of international borders, relaxation of travel restrictions, resumption of international flights, widespread vaccination and reopening of in-campus classes by overseas universities are the major contributors to the increase in outbound traffic from South Africa this year. Locations like Australia, Canada and Schengen regions are witnessing positive trends in application volumes for outbound travel in the year so far. By Hariprasad Viswanathan, Head – Sub Saharan Africa at VFS Global.
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ome of the key visa application trends VFS Global, the world's largest visa outsourcing and technology service specialist for governments and their diplomatic missions worldwide, has observed this year in South Africa are as follows: • Application volumes from January to April 2022 have neared the total application count for the year 2021. • Application volumes in the January to April 2022 period are nearly six times more in comparison to the same period last year. ** Volumes in 2021 were significantly less as many international borders were closed with pandemic-induced travel restrictions along with the nationwide lockdown. 32 Business Events Africa July 2022
VFS Global services 18 governments in South Africa through the application Centres across 11 locations. With most countries accepting visa applications up to 90 days (three months) before the date of travel, applicants need to apply for their visas way in advance, especially during this period when outbound travel demand is increasing. According to the revised Schengen visa Code, effective 2 February 2020, you can apply for a Schengen visa up to six months before your date of travel. Elaborating on this important point of applying in advance to beat the peak, Hariprasad Viswanathan, head – Sub Saharan Africa at VFS Global, said: “When planning your travels, people always book www.businesseventsafrica.com
