Frontline workers exploited despite record profits - Submissions Officer VFS Global Employee Review

1.0
Jul 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Zero pros in this exploitive company

Cons

The reality behind the multi-billion Rand profits. While global investigations show VFS Global making over R3 billion in profits, the frontline employees on the ground in South Africa are the ones paying the price. Right now, frontline staff are being forced to survive on a base salary of just R5,800. To make matters worse, management has completely frozen all salary increases for 2026. When we confront the HR department and higher management about the rising cost of living, we are met with the exact same corporate line: "The company is doing bad, and we are not legally bound to give you an increase." How can a company claim it is "doing bad" when it is banking record-breaking global profits? The reality is that frontline workers are trapped in an impossible system. We are under intense, daily pressure from higher management to aggressively sell optional "value-added services" (like premium lounges, courier deliveries, and SMS packages) to desperate visa applicants. Management has drastically hiked up the prices of these extra services for the public, but they refuse to lower our conversion targets. It has become mathematically nearly impossible for staff to hit these goals, cutting off any real chance of earning incentives. VFS Global wants the public to believe they run a world-class operation, but they treat their own frontline staff as completely disposable. It is time for corporate leadership to stop hiding behind excuses, stop exploiting their workers, and start paying the "average"wage that reflects the massive revenue we generate for them every single day and not the bare minimum livable wage! #VFSGlobal #CorporateExploitation #FairWages #LaborRights #SouthAfrica #Glassdoor #Transparency

Explore other reviews about VFS Global

5.0
Jan 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

customer service is priority for company

Cons

experience is excellent with company

avatar
VFS Global Response
6mo
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to know that our strong focus on customer service is recognized and that your overall experience with the company has been excellent. We appreciate you taking the time to share your views.
2.0
May 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

the team are well versed with the work undertaken.

Cons

if you cannot speak hindi then you will not excel in this company, the company has hired south Asians only, most of the higher managers are on H1B visas, very much toxic work environment where the managers are expected to work on weekends and holidays.

avatar
VFS Global Response
1mo
Thank you for sharing your feedback. At VFS Global, we take all concerns regarding workplace inclusivity, culture, and communication standards extremely seriously. Our operations in the United States are powered by a diverse workforce of over 350 individuals representing various ethnicities and countries including the United States. This diverse talent pool allows us to successfully mirror and support the global diplomatic missions we serve. To provide context, a significant portion of our operations in the US supports the Government of India’s diplomatic missions. To meet the explicit consular service expectations of these sovereign clients and effectively assist the public they serve, proficiency in regional Indian languages is a critical operational requirement for specific roles. That being said, English remains our official language for all internal communications, corporate operations, and recruitment practices, including our hiring process, which is strictly merit-based. Further, we remain committed to operating in strict alignment with US labour laws and employee schedules are structured accordingly. While the nature of international diplomatic support may require occasional extended rostering to meet critical public demands, these schedules are carefully managed and planned in advance to ensure fair shift distribution. We encourage you to share specific concerns, if any, with us on Communications@vfsglobal.com.
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All