In 2022, visa applications from the Philippines surged close to pre-pandemic levels due to pent-up demand, relaxed COVID protocols, and the reopening of international borders. VFS Global reported that the Philippines’ visa application volume reached 91% of its 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Compared to the previous year, the volume of visa applications increased by 44% in 2022.
“We saw a healthy demand from Philippines in 2022 with steady volumes witnessed until December. We are confident that the travel momentum will grow even further in 2023 and hence it is advisable for applicants including students, to apply for their visas in advance to avoid last-minute surprises,” said Kaushik Ghosh, Head – Australasia, VFS Global.
Major destinations for visa applicants from the Philippines include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Since the pandemic, there has been a significant shift in travelers’ behavior toward personalized services. This trend has been further accentuated in 2022. Premium optional services such as Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD), which allows travelers to book the entire visa experience at a location of their choice, experienced a two-fold growth over the pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, VAYD witnessed a 42% increase as compared to 2021. VFS Global offers VAYD services for 10 client governments in the Philippines, namely Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Malta, Switzerland, and the UK.
“Health considerations continue to be a key determining factor in the new normal, with a large and growing section of travelers becoming conscious about health and safety. As a result, we see an increasing number of travelers opt of such services that provide a seamless visa experience and prioritize safe travel,” added Ghosh.
Peak Season Travel Guide
To avoid any last-minute visa application hassles, it is advisable to apply for visas as early as you book your flights and accommodation. Generally, most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days or 3 months before the scheduled travel date. As per the revised Schengen Visa Code, effective from 9th February 2020, one can apply for a Schengen visa up to 6 months before the intended travel date. Given the higher demand for visas and limited appointment slots available this year, we highly recommend applicants apply for their visas well in advance.
To ensure a safe and secure visa application process, visa applicants are advised to be cautious of fraudulent entities that charge fees from customers for scheduling appointments or providing any other services under the name of VFS Global, either in partnership or independently. Please note that VFS Global does not charge any payment for scheduling appointments. If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to approach one of our staff or send an email to communications@vfsglobal.com.