bex

There was no 0-star option.
First was forced to cancel my trip due to the VISA DESK in Ireland being a horror show. Attempted to make contact to a human being to explain the situation and attempt to get assistance with cancellation, and nothing. Auto-replies from noreply e-mails basically just saying: "Tough luck, we're getting rich on empty flights because our country is running the biggest tourist defrauding scam in history basically charging millions of applicants visa costs and then delaying it past their travel dates to keep that money. Demanding booked and confirmed flight details as part of the applications, and then putting a **do not pay for your flight ahead of hand** right after it.
And Aer Lingus is just cashing in on this scam as well!

Not transparant. I applied and passed all tests and steps, then at the end of process the wanted my personal documents which I provided. Over a month later they reply with my documents are not acceptable, everything must be in pdf, no photos are allowed. Saved the docs as pdf and then they just told my I am altering my identity?
No proof, no communication. No proper explanation. I was really excited about exploring this opportunity, but in the end this is just a fake company messing with people and stealing people's time and personal info

Being a total stranger to Visa applications, my trip destinations had the gut-churning requirement of two Visa applications to two different embassies meaning two processing companies. My TLS appointment in Centurion was the latter appointment, and the other Visa was at a competitor.
My first appointment at the competitor company was stressful, horrifying and I felt inhumane in the manner which it was handled, so I was really scared and anxious dreading my second appointment, this time at TLS.
1. Arriving at TLS, their new offices were a bit of an adventure to find,
2. The security and staff were so friendly and welcoming from the outside gate, right through the entire process.
3. The offices were clean, warm and welcoming.
4. Every staff member was professional, friendly, and explained the process step by step clearly and purposefully.
5. The processing was done step by step, the lady was incredibly helpful every step of the way making sure that my application was not just in order but that it was understood where, what and when.
After paying, I couldn't help but compare my experience at TLS versus the competitor company handling my first VISA application and the worlds apart. Also noticing that the competitor service was 60% more expensive than TLS.
In the end, I just think that TLS has a very beautiful company culture and they are a good representative of the countries who's application processes they represent.

I recently had the displeasure of being forced to used VFS Global, as embassies now outsource Visa applications. Not being experienced in Visas at all I can't help but share the nightmare this service provided.

1. The website is messy, unfriendly and tedious to navigate
2. The checklist of information required for the VISA application was vague, and didn't have clear distinguishable guidelines between the requirements for the different types of Visas.
2. There was a problem with their booking site and it took 3 weeks of repeated mails, calls etc just to get someone to assist in sorting out the error so I could make a booking [Phoning just resulted in a short-stubbed answer to e-mail for a walk-in appointment and pay extra to do so.
3. Arriving at the Rivonia offices set at a mall, the offices were cold, unwelcoming and security at the entrance were rude as if they were inconvenienced by the question of where to go.
4. The actual tiny little office where the appointment took place was messy, overcrowded and unwelcoming, with unstable metal seating.
5. The staff again, rude, blunt and short when asked about the process or what is going on. They sent me away requiring things not on their online checklist and the lady even told me that she's tired of having her time wasted. She didn't even bother explaining everything, I had to ask twice what else was needed before she bothered. Upon returning her male colleague bluntly assisted in less rude fashion, but still no answering of questions, not a single clear answer to any question of what the process after submitting the paperwork is...
6. They falsely advertise that you can make copies on their premises, I was sent away to a Postnet, they just refused to allow internet or printing services as advertised on their website.
7. VFS fees and charges are up to 60% more expensive than other processing companies in the same industry. Sadly, the embassies outsource applications to them and if they are the designated company, but I found this shocking given the terrible service they provide.

Due to the destinations on my trip I needed more than one Visa, and that too was outsourced to a different processing company, a competitor of VFS. I dreaded going to my second Visa appointment due to the nightmare experience I had, but surprisingly my experience was worlds apart. I couldn't help but notice that the competitor's staff were helpful, friendly, explained every step of the way without being asked. The offices were tidy and welcoming, with multiple computers and printers designated to the purpose of applicants who were missing anything on their visa applications. The staff calmly paged through the same set of requirements with a clear, set checklist step by step and explained the process after the my application was submitted. The competitor's processing fees were also notably [60%] less for amazing service in comparison.

Zero support on applications if they have site issues. Literally bumps users out of projects with no transparency as to why. Not worth the time and effort they require "applying" for projects.