Exclusive: Iran War Tests Global Mobility Resilience

The Iran war and broader Middle East instability are forcing governments, airlines, travelers and mobility-service providers to confront a new reality. Cross-border movement can no longer be treated as a predictable paperwork process. In a more volatile world, mobility depends on resilience, route awareness, digital readiness and trusted service delivery.

In an exclusive conversation with D.C. Dispatch, South Asian Herald’s special podcast, Head of Americas at VFS Global, Amit Sharma, said geopolitical disruptions can create setbacks. But he argued that long-term travel demand remains strong. With a footprint spanning nearly 70 governments and 150 countries, Sharma said VFS Global’s role is no longer limited to processing applications. It is also about helping mobility systems remain resilient, accessible and trusted in times of disruption.

Middle East Conflict and Travel Resilience

Sharma described the current Middle East situation as a serious but temporary disruption, not a long-term collapse in mobility. “This is a very resilient industry,” Sharma said. “The COVID experience is still not far behind us.” He recalled that 2019 was a peak year for travel. Then 2020 brought the sector to a near standstill.

For Sharma, the current Middle East disruption is serious but recoverable. “From the industry perspective, this geopolitical situation is a temporary issue,” Sharma said. “There is still travel happening, and a lot of people are still traveling across the globe.”

Planning Ahead in a Volatile World

The most immediate lesson for travelers is simple. Plan early and verify information often. During a war or regional crisis, travel rules can change quickly. Routes can also change without much warning. “We always tell travelers to be fully aware of the destination they are going to,” Sharma said. “Plan your travel in advance.”

He warned that information can become outdated fast. “In times like these, information changes rapidly,” he said. “You want to make sure that what you read yesterday is still relevant today.” Travelers, he added, should check routes, airspace conditions, government rules and visa requirements before departure.

“Please know your destination well,” Sharma said. “Be aware of the routes and be aware of the rules and regulations that governments are introducing.”

From Occasional Shock to Constant Disruption

Sharma said the travel industry is now operating in a world where disruption is more frequent. “The frequency of disruptions has certainly changed over the last few years,” he said. “You might once have expected a disruption once in 50 years, then once in 20 years. Now, every year, your model or way of operating could face disruption.”

That reality requires organizations to stay ahead of customer expectations. They cannot wait for a crisis to arrive. “At VFS, we always try to stay a step ahead,” Sharma said. “We do not want to be reactive to expectations, but to proactively understand what people expect from us.”

Decentralizing Access for the Indian Diaspora

The conversation also focused on VFS operations in the United States. Sharma said the Indian diaspora is large, geographically spread out and increasingly expects convenient service. “The Indian diaspora in the U.S. is increasing,” Sharma said. “It is a very widespread diaspora.”

Under the renewed India services arrangement, VFS expanded its U.S. footprint to add new locations to cater to the increasing demand. “We were previously present in about six locations,” Sharma said. “Since the new contract came into effect, those six locations have expanded to 18.”

He said Saturday operations were added after feedback from applicants. “Saturday was added based on feedback from the diaspora,” he said. “They did not want to take a day off to apply for a passport, OCI or visa.”

Digitization as the Future of Mobility

Sharma said digitization is becoming central to mobility as governments and travelers look for faster, simpler and more accessible processes. He pointed to e-visas as one example of how the system is changing. “Many governments have launched products like e-visa, where you don’t need to have a sticker visa in your passport,” he said. “You are able to apply online and get an electronic confirmation.” He added VFS Global already works with more than 10 governments on e-visa solutions. For VFS, that shows digital mobility is no longer optional. It is becoming part of the core offering.

VFS has also invested heavily in artificial intelligence. Sharma said the company has a dedicated AI center in Dubai and has already begun integrating AI into some live processes. “We have tried to integrate AI into the live process that we have,” he added, but stressed that AI must be used carefully, especially because visa and immigration systems handle sensitive personal data.

He said travelers increasingly expect to complete more steps through phones and digital platforms. “Most of the things we do today are done from our phones,” Sharma said. “Customers would feel a great sense of satisfaction if they could do everything on the phone.”

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