In an inflationary economy, consumers cut back—but not always where economists expect.
In an inflationary economy, consumers cut back—but not always where economists expect. Travel has quietly joined the category of “protected spending,” alongside education and health. Vacations are shorter, itineraries tighter, but the decision to go remains intact.
Inflation has changed the way we shop, dine, and plan our days. It has made everyday decisions feel heavier, more deliberate and intentional. And yet, despite rising airfares, pricier hotel rooms, and fluctuating exchange rates, international travel continues to rebound, sometimes defiantly so.
One piece of advice from VFS: submit visa applications well in advance to avoid last-minute challenges during peak travel periods.
Visa application volumes from the Philippines increased by approximately 8% year-on-year in 2025, reflecting renewed traveler confidence and a growing appetite for international travel, according to VFS Global, the leading provider of visa services on behalf of 33 foreign governments in the Philippines.
Among the most popular destinations for Filipino travelers in 2025 were, in alphabetical order, Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Commenting on the trend, Atul Lall, VFS Global Regional Head, said, “The steady growth in visa applications from the Philippines underscores the strong return of traveller confidence, with more people once again exploring global destinations. We are optimistic that this positive momentum will continue into 2026. We strongly encourage travelers to submit their visa applications well in advance to avoid last-minute challenges during peak travel periods.”
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Personalized visa services see strong uptake
The COVID-19 pandemic redefined not just shopping patterns but also everybody’s way of life. Everything was delivered to our doorstep in an effort to flatten the curve and it is an option Filipinos have embraced long after the worst of the plague was over.
Interestingly, while a lot of companies have shifted to hybrid work or purely remote, the traffic situation in Metro Manila is still the bane of everyone’s existence. Running errands including applying for visa could take a chunk of, if not your entire day, if you will account for traffic.
This is why the demand for personalized and convenience-driven visa services continued to shape application trends in 2025. Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD), a service allowing applicants to complete the entire visa submission process from their home or location of choice—recorded a significant 62% year-on-year increase in demand.
In the Philippines, VFS Global currently offers doorstep visa services for 18 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Malta, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, and the Netherlands. The company also provides a Mobile Visa Application Centre (MVAC) for these destinations, further enhancing accessibility, security, and convenience.
Demand has likewise grown for the Premium Lounge service, which offers end-to-end personalized assistance in a comfortable lounge setting, as well as Prime Time services, which allow applicants to submit visa applications outside regular working hours and on weekends. Both services have seen sustained adoption since the pandemic.
Applicants are reminded that all premium services are optional and do not influence visa processing timelines or decision outcomes.
“We continue to see strong adoption of personalized services such as VAYD and Premium Lounge among discerning travelers, particularly due to post-pandemic health and convenience considerations,” Lall added. “We anticipate even higher demand for these services this year as travelers increasingly prioritize safe and seamless travel experiences.”
Beware of fraud
Fraudsters and scammers have proliferated in the digital world and they seem to be getting more and more creative in conning people out of their hard-earned cash. From impersonating banking institutions, to government agencies, everyone is advised to exercise prudent caution against such.
Visa applicants are cautioned against fraudulent individuals or entities claiming to offer appointment bookings or services under the VFS Global name. VFS Global does not charge any fee for booking appointments through its official website. Some governments may require pre-payment of service fees at the time of booking; such payments are either reimbursed or adjusted during the application process. This measure helps ensure the integrity of the appointment system.
Applicants seeking assistance or wishing to report suspected fraud may approach VFS Global staff directly or visit their official channel.
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