AI to enhance travel services, but humans will decide visa approvals: VFS Global

Artificial intelligence will make travel smoother for millions of people, but the final decision on who receives a visa will continue to rest with human officials, VFS Global's leadership stated at a major industry forum. The visa services company acknowledged AI's growing role in simplifying processes, yet emphasized that the critical gatekeeping function in immigration remains a human responsibility. The stance comes as automation increasingly permeates the travel and immigration sectors globally, raising questions about the future role of personnel in visa decisions. VFS Global, which processes visa applications for numerous countries, suggested that any shift toward automated visa approvals would ultimately depend on legislative frameworks rather than technological capability. The company's position reflects broader concerns among immigration authorities about maintaining oversight and judgment in decisions that have significant consequences for individuals and border security.