Comprehensive Accessibility Statement

Our global commitment to digital and physical accessibility for all applicants.

1. Our Commitment to Inclusion

At VFS Global, we believe that access to essential services, including international travel, passport processing, and visa applications, should be seamless, secure, and available to everyone, regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities. We are deeply committed to ensuring digital and physical accessibility for all our applicants worldwide. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and actively applying the relevant national and international accessibility standards to make our website, digital platforms, and physical service centers as inclusive as possible.

We understand that a significant portion of the global population lives with temporary or permanent disabilities, and that navigating government administration can be challenging. By integrating universal design principles into our corporate strategy, we aim to eliminate barriers and provide equal opportunities for all applicants. Our goal is to make every interaction with VFS Global—whether online, on a mobile device, or in person—dignified, independent, and supportive.

2. Digital Accessibility Standards (WCAG 2.1)

We strive to ensure that all web pages and digital platforms under the direct control of VFS Global conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These guidelines, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), are the internationally recognized standard for making web content accessible to individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities.

Conforming to WCAG 2.1 Level AA means our digital assets are designed and coded to be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (the POUR principles):

• Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive (e.g., text alternatives for non-text content, closed captions, and clean color contrasts).
• Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable (e.g., full keyboard support, ample time to complete actions, and avoiding content that could cause seizures).
• Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable (e.g., readable text, predictable web pages, and input assistance to avoid errors).
• Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies like screen readers and screen magnifiers.

3. Key Accessibility Features Implemented

To meet our accessibility goals, we have integrated several core features into this website:

• Text Alternatives (Alt Text): All informative images, diagrams, and non-text elements feature descriptive alternative text so that visually impaired users utilizing screen readers can understand the context. Decorative images are coded to be ignored by assistive technology.
• Color Contrast: Text, controls, and active interface elements are designed with high color contrast relative to their backgrounds, ensuring readability for users with low vision or color blindness.
• Flexible Scaling: The layout of our website is fully responsive, allowing users to zoom and scale text up to 200% using standard browser controls without breaking page structures, overlapping text, or losing essential functionality.
• Skip Navigation: A "Skip to Main Content" link is available at the top of every page, enabling keyboard users and screen readers to bypass repetitive header links and go directly to the page's primary content.
• Descriptive Links: Link texts are descriptive and contextually clear, avoiding vague phrases like "click here" or "read more," making navigation predictable for screen reader users who navigate by listing links.

4. Assistive Technology Compatibility

This website is built using standard, semantic HTML5, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and Javascript. It is designed to work seamlessly with a wide range of assistive technologies used by individuals with disabilities. This includes screen readers, refreshable Braille displays, screen magnification software, speech recognition programs, and alternative input devices (such as head pointers, switch switches, or mouth sticks).

By using correct semantic elements (such as <nav>, <main>, <footer>, <button>, and <input>), we ensure that screen readers can accurately interpret the layout and structure of our pages. Active elements and forms use proper ARIA roles and properties to convey dynamic state changes, such as validation errors, modal dialog openings, or loading indicators, to the user in real-time.

5. Supported Web Browsers and Screen Readers

Our website is designed and extensively tested to ensure maximum compatibility with the following operating systems, web browsers, and screen reader combinations:

While we endeavor to support older versions of operating systems and browsers, we highly recommend that users keep their software updated to the latest versions to ensure the best possible accessibility experience and security protection.

6. Physical Accessibility at Our Centers

We are equally committed to ensuring that our physical Visa Application Centers (VACs) are fully accessible to all applicants. When you visit a VFS Global center, you can expect the following physical accessibility provisions:

• Wheelchair Accessibility: Ramps, wide entry doors, level corridors, and spacious elevators are available in our facilities to ensure smooth navigation for wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments.
• Dedicated Seating and Counters: We provide dedicated waiting areas with comfortable seating for elderly applicants, pregnant women, and individuals with physical disabilities. Low-height submission and biometrics counters are available to ensure comfort for seated applicants or wheelchair users.
• Service Animals: Certified guide dogs and service animals are permitted inside all VFS Global application centers. Staff members are instructed to accommodate applicants accompanied by service animals.
• Personalized Assistance: Our security personnel and customer service representatives are trained to identify applicants requiring special assistance and proactively offer guidance through the queueing, submission, and biometric processes.

If you require specific physical accommodations, sign language interpreters, or personalized escort assistance during your appointment, we encourage you to contact us at least 48 hours prior to your visit so that our center managers can prepare to assist you fully.

7. Accessibility Guidelines for Specific Regions

VFS Global complies with all local accessibility laws and regulations in the countries where we operate. This includes, but is not limited to:

• United States: Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• United Kingdom: Compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
• European Union: Adherence to EN 301 549 standards and preparation for the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
• Canada: Compliance with the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) where applicable.

8. Staff Training and Awareness

At VFS Global, accessibility is a cultural value. We ensure that our employees, particularly front-line customer service executives, security staff, and digital product developers, receive regular training on disability awareness, physical assistance techniques, and digital accessibility standards.

Our front-line staff is trained to treat every applicant with respect, dignity, and patience, understanding that different disabilities require different forms of support. Our web developers and UI/UX designers receive training on WCAG guidelines, semantic coding, ARIA attributes, and accessible design principles to ensure that every new feature is built with accessibility in mind from day one.

9. Continuous Assessment and Monitoring

Accessibility is not a one-time project but a continuous process of evaluation and refinement. We regularly conduct automated accessibility scans, manual code reviews, and user testing of our online platforms to identify and resolve any potential accessibility barriers.

We work with independent, third-party accessibility experts to perform comprehensive audits of our platforms and physical facilities. Any issues identified during these assessments are prioritized, tracked, and resolved by our dedicated engineering and facilities teams as part of our commitment to continuous service improvement.

10. Third-Party Content Limitations

While VFS Global strives to ensure that all platforms, content, and services under our direct control are fully accessible, our website may sometimes integrate with third-party tools, payment gateways, embassy-owned databases, or external government portals. In some cases, we cannot control the accessibility features of these external systems.

We actively communicate our accessibility requirements to our partners, diplomatic missions, and vendors, encouraging them to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. If you encounter accessibility barriers on any external portal linked from our website, please let us know, and we will work with the respective partner to advocate for improvements.

11. Alternate Formats of Documents

If you require any document, form, or guide hosted on our website in an alternate format—such as large print, Braille, plain text, or an audio recording—please contact our support team. We will make every reasonable effort to provide the requested material in a suitable format free of charge within a reasonable timeframe.

When requesting alternate formats, please specify the document's URL, the specific format you require, and your contact information. We will work with our translation and localization teams to ensure the information is delivered accurately and accessibly.

12. Keyboard Navigation Guide

For users who navigate without a mouse, this website is fully operable using standard keyboard commands:

• Tab Key: Moves focus forward to the next interactive element (links, buttons, form inputs).
• Shift + Tab: Moves focus backward to the previous interactive element.
• Enter Key: Activates selected links or buttons and submits forms.
• Spacebar: Selects checkboxes, activates buttons, and scrolls the page down.
• Arrow Keys: Navigate through dropdown lists, radio buttons, and tab controls.
• Escape Key: Closes active pop-ups, modals, or dropdown menus.

13. Visual Adjustments and Controls

Our website is built using relative units (rem/em) for typography and layouts, allowing seamless scaling. You can adjust the visual settings using your browser's built-in options:

• Zoom In: Press Ctrl + + (Windows) or Cmd + + (macOS).
• Zoom Out: Press Ctrl + - (Windows) or Cmd + - (macOS).
• Reset Zoom: Press Ctrl + 0 (Windows) or Cmd + 0 (macOS).

14. Screen Reader Optimization Details

We have integrated specific structural and landmark optimizations to ensure screen readers can navigate our site efficiently. This includes the use of correct ARIA landmarks (role="banner", role="navigation", role="main", role="contentinfo"), form labels explicitly linked via for and id attributes, and dynamic updates announced via aria-live regions to ensure users are aware of background processes or form submissions.

15. Cognitive and Learning Support

We strive to make our instructions, descriptions, and processes clear, logical, and easy to understand. We use simple sentence structures, avoid jargon where possible, and provide descriptive error messages that explain how to correct input mistakes. This supports applicants with cognitive disabilities, learning difficulties, or those who are navigating the site in a second language.

16. Language Access and Accessibility

This website features multilingual support, enabling applicants to access information in their preferred language. We ensure that our language switcher is accessible and clearly labeled. By providing translated content, we improve access for non-native speakers, reducing administrative friction and cognitive load.

17. Reporting Accessibility Issues

If you encounter any accessibility barriers on our website, mobile apps, or at our physical centers, please report them to us. Your feedback helps us identify weaknesses and implement corrections. You can report an issue by contacting our accessibility team through our Help Center or by sending an email with a detailed description of the barrier, the URL, and your operating system/browser details.

18. Formal Complaints Procedure

If you feel that VFS Global has failed to respond adequately to an accessibility request or report, you may initiate a formal complaint. Formal complaints are escalated to our regional customer experience directors and data protection officers, who will investigate the issue and provide a comprehensive response and resolution plan within 10 business days.

19. Accessibility Roadmap and Future Goals

We are dedicated to maintaining the highest accessibility standards. Over the next year, our accessibility roadmap includes upgrading our platform to fully meet the upcoming WCAG 2.2 standards, enhancing keyboard shortcuts, implementing automated continuous integration testing for digital accessibility, and updating physical centers with tactile navigation lines.

20. Executive Commitment Statement

Accessibility is a fundamental pillar of VFS Global's mission. Our executive leadership team actively supports and funds accessibility initiatives, ensuring they are integrated into our core business decisions. We commit to making the visa application journey dignified, inclusive, and accessible to every citizen we serve globally.

Last updated: May 19, 2026

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