VFS Global’s Platinum Lounge: Monetising Visa Anxiety for Profit from Applicants
Reports say VFS Platinum Lounge fees ride on visa anxiety. The company says add-ons are optional and do not affect decisions.
VFS Global has found another way to earn more from people who have limited alternatives. Its latest offering, the “Platinum Lounge”, is pitched as a super-premium experience. For applicants, the question is whether this is a genuine value-added service or simply a higher price for basic services. It is a classic example of Capitalism through monopoly.
The issue starts with VFS Global’s dominant position in visa outsourcing. VFS holds visa outsourcing contracts with 71 governments, meaning applicants often have to use its centres to submit visa applications. This creates a captive audience with limited alternatives for accessing basic visa-related services.
VFS has expanded its paid services, offering premium appointments, lounges, document services, SMS updates, courier returns and other add-ons for additional fees. The Platinum Lounge is another such service, marketed as a luxury and comfort offering.
