Fabulous! You’ve just realised that your trip abroad is finally happening. Whether it be for leisure, a business conference invitation, or an academic trip, you’ll need to apply for a visa. And the right one, too. That won’t necessarily be difficult but if you don’t prepare early, obtain the right documentation and apply for a visa correctly, you may have to watch your plane take off without you.
So, how do countless South Africans apply for visas successfully? What gets them on that plane?
Enter the Visa Application Centres.
South Africans and Visa Application Centres
Governments around the world maintain diplomatic relations with one another, sending diplomats to each other’s countries. To perform their work, they establish embassies and consular services. For embassies to operate efficiently, they work closely with companies known as visa applications centres to issue visas.
Prospective travellers must apply for a visa at a visa application centre. Their tasks include collecting and certifying traveller data, as well as other travel document processing. They submit your information and documents for the visa that you need. Importantly, Visaline can enhance your application to a particular country thanks to our vast visa knowledge and industry experience. We know the exact documents needed to obtain a specific visa.
In essence, visa application centres are the link between the embassy and you, the aspiring traveller. They help you obtain the right “key,” or visa. You’re welcome to tell us which visa you need to unlock your destination.
If Visas are the keys, who issues them?
This is where it’s important to know the different visa application centres in South Africa and visa types (see tips for visa types). For South Africans applying for a visa, four well-known visa application centres are VFS Global, BLS International, TLScontact and CAPAGO.
Although these four centres perform standard and critical work such as processing your certified documents (get help easily) and biometrics, you need to be aware of some differences among them.
To guide your visa application, let’s take a brief look at each of the four centres:
VFS global
A key advantage when working with VFS is their close relationship with the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa.
From capturing your biometric data to ensuring that you have the correct documents to support a properly completed visa application, VFS has built a reputation for being a trusted visa service.
What’s more, VFS has the unique position of:
- being the officially-designated partner service for the Indian embassy in South Africa.
- having vast experience in processing visas for South Africans travelling to other Asia countries, such as China and South Korea.
- maintaining a strong presence in South American countries.
We’ve worked with VFS and know how they approach potential document or certificate problems. To avoid a document crisis during your application, speak to our certification-support partners, Apostil.
CAPAGO
Whilst not as well-known to some travellers as VFS, CAPAGO has the special privilege of being the go-to visa service for the French government in certain
regions of the world. This can be advantageous for travellers who want to work directly with a government-designated entity, during THEIR VISA applications.
Other benefits CAPAGO is known for include:
- efficient biometrics-collection.
- possessing the necessary facilities to verify documents.
- being aware of several specific requirements that a few countries have for documents, during the application process.
- offering a relatively simple and efficient option for first-time travellers to countries like France.
South Africa and France also enjoy excellent travel relations. We’ve got veteran advice for South Africans travelling to France.
BLS International
What sets BLS International apart from other visa services is their track record of dealing with very high visa application volumes. And they do it with due diligence towards clients, too. This can be especially crucial for visa applicants forced to apply during peak travel periods.
Moreover, BLS International’s expanding global operations allow them to:
- act as the official liaison for Spain’s diplomatic mission in South Africa.
- ensure quality service options document attestations, visa processing and support from the Spanish consulate itself.
- utilise a growing e-services support option.
- be the first choice for several diplomatic missions in various countries around the globe.
Lastly, whether you fancy a salsa-dance experience, or a Spanish seaside trip, just ensure you benefit from our visa guide for Spain. Before your siesta.
TLScontact
This visa application company provides application services around the world, mostly on behalf of European countries such as Germany and the Czech Republic. One hallmark of their service is a single processing system used by visa- seekers and embassies, which ensures a safer and slightly faster turnaround time.
It’s worth noting that in addition to their ability to process large numbers of visa applications:
- TLS also conducts their visa application processing at a slightly faster pace than other centres.
- they have a reputation for emphasising applicant peace of mind, with speedy communication during the entirety of the application process.
- TLS will most likely prove a better option for South Africans seeking a visa to Germany, or even the Schengen zone.
A breakthrough for South Africans unfolded this year when a new 5-Year Schengen Visa was unveiled, aimed at any South African seeking a Schengen visa. Here’s how you can obtain a Schengen visa.
We know HOW visa applications work
Before launching into your visa application it’s essential to know how visa applications can be streamlined and enhanced, which can only benefit you. Get easily accessible visa advice in a free consultation with us now.
We’ll also help you avoid confusion about the types of visas, requirements and, critically, how to solve document concerns you may have, with our trusted certification and document partner, Apostil.
No need to struggle on your own. Our Team is ready to support and assist your Visa and Documentation
needs. We’re listening.
