Portuguese Consulates in Brazil Criticize VFS Global for Visa Delays; Company Denies Allegations

Portuguese consulates in Brazil have attributed the ongoing visa delays for Brazilians to issues with the outsourcing company VFS Global.

However, VFS Global has strongly refuted these claims, maintaining that the company adheres to ethical standards and ensures accuracy in its processes.

Earlier this week, on January 22, a wave of protests took place outside Portuguese consulates in Brazilian cities, including Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Paulo. A group of Brazilians voiced their frustration over prolonged visa processing times, which have reportedly reached up to 200 days in some cases.

One of the protesters, Evelyn, was granted a meeting with Ambassador António Pedro Rodrigues da Silva, the Portuguese Consul General in São Paulo. According to Evelyn, during their conversation, Silva pointed to several errors on the part of VFS Global that have contributed to the delays.

Evelyn shared with Publico that Silva accused VFS Global of mishandling visa applications, including delivering incorrect documents to consulates. Furthermore, Silva reportedly described the company’s electronic system as outdated and claimed that VFS Global does not have sufficient staff to handle the high volume of visa applications, further exacerbating the delays.

This situation has become particularly frustrating for Brazilians seeking long-term visas for Portugal, as they are required to apply for visas to remain in the country for purposes such as work or study. While Brazilian nationals enjoy visa-free entry to Portugal for short-term visits, they must obtain visas for longer stays.

VFS Global Defends Its Standards and Emphasizes Ethical Practices

Responding to the accusations, a spokesperson for VFS Global spoke up to defend the company’s practices. The spokesperson emphasized that VFS Global operates under rigorous processes designed to meet the highest international standards, which are regularly audited and updated.

“VFS Global has in place rigorous processes, adhering to the highest international standards, which are regularly audited and updated to ensure accuracy and efficiency. As a digitally led organisation, we remain at the forefront of digital innovation, strategically embracing AI to enhance our processes and meet our client governments’ specific needs,” the spokesperson stated.

The company also highlighted its commitment to ethical practices, sustainability, and supporting both applicants and the Portuguese government. “Applicants with specific concerns are encouraged to contact us directly for assistance. We remain dedicated to supporting applicants and the Portugal embassy/consulate to ensure a seamless visa application process,” the spokesperson added.

As tensions between the Portuguese consulates and VFS Global escalate, it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will address the issue publicly. Many Brazilians continue to face significant delays in their visa applications, with calls for greater accountability from both the consulates and the outsourcing company. 

By fLEXI tEAM