- VFS Global Visa Processes saw a global substantial increase of 35 per cent
- The tourism sector saw a rebound in 2023, with global travel recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- VFS Global extended its strategic investments through signature programs in Indonesia, Thailand, and South Africa
VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, achieved new sustainability targets according to its fifth edition of the Integrated Sustainability Report 2023.
Among key achievements in 2023 include a 35 per cent increase in the number of visa applications processed worldwide and other markets globally, as well as an expanded service portfolio by securing seven global contracts, including the UK Visa and Immigration, the Department of Home Affairs in Australia.
In 2023, global travel bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Middle East, EU region, and Africa emerging as the top performers, according to the UNWTO’s tourism sector report. Kenya witnessed a notable surge in arrival numbers from 1,483,752 in 2022 to 1,951,185 in 2023, representing an impressive growth of 31.5 per cent.
The extent of recovery in 2023 was at 95.24per cent from the 2019 international arrival levels, this is above the pre-pandemic global recovery levels of 88per cent. The arrivals generated tourist inbound earnings of Sh352,544,008,170 representing a growth of 31.5per cent, according to the country’s Tourism Sector Performance Report 2023.
This report follows the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, one of the most widely used and recognised global sustainability reporting frameworks.
The report is also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) for the Professional and Commercial Services Sector.
VFS Global sustainability strategy is based on five fundamental pillars – Contributing to Sustainable Economic Growth, Good Governance, Nurturing Colleagues, protecting our Environment, and Supporting our Communities.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, VFS Global steadfastly continued its efforts to embed sustainability into its business practices, organisational culture, and strategic goals. Our ability to make a measurable difference every year has been the primary factor that sets VFS Global apart. We remain deeply committed to continuously enhancing value for all our valued stakeholders, including the society at large, and in an efficient, secure, and sustainable manner,” said Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, of VFS Global.
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VFS Global Visa Processes
VFS Global Visa Application Centres contributed significantly to job creation in 2023, employing a total of 10,976 individuals worldwide.
Regional employment figures include 1,429 nationals from the Middle East and North Africa region, 686 from Africa, 403 from the Americas, 1,376 from the Asia-Pacific region, 1,295 from Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, and 3,968 from South Asia.
The number of applications processed by VFS Global saw a substantial increase of 35 per cent, highlighting the company’s expanding role in global visa and consular services. Notably, 53 per cent of new hires in 2023 were women, underscoring VFS Global’s commitment to gender diversity. The company maintained a diverse workforce comprising 129 nationalities, with a balanced gender ratio of 54 per cent women to 46 per cent men.
The tourism sector saw a rebound in 2023, with global travel recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the UNWTO’s tourism sector report, the Middle East, EU region, and Africa were the top performers. VFS Global’s Visa Application Centres played a crucial role in this recovery, contributing significantly to job creation by employing a total of 10,976 individuals worldwide.
Furthermore, VFS Global extended its strategic investments through signature programmes in Indonesia, Thailand, and South Africa, continuing to support and enhance local communities and economies.
“The launch of the 5th Integrated Sustainability Report is a testament to the collective efforts of our workforce, partners, and stakeholders driving positive change. This report details the impact of our ESG initiatives and serves as a roadmap for our continued progress towards a more sustainable future,” added Shireen Mistree, Head – ESG, VFS Global.
