The 100 NRIs – 2026: Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global

This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.

Zubin Karkaria is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VFS Global, a global leader in outsourced visa, passport, and consular services. His strategic vision and technological acumen have transformed the company into an innovative, technology-driven enterprise, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner to governments worldwide.

Founded in 2001, VFS Global quickly emerged as a disruptive force within the travel services sector. Today, the company operates more than 4,023 application centres across 166 countries. Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, VFS Global is a portfolio company of Blackstone Inc., the world’s largest alternative asset manager.

Karkaria brings over three decades of experience in global travel and tourism, with a strong focus on building scalable and resilient businesses. His entrepreneurial drive and organisational expertise have consistently delivered sustainable growth and long-term value creation.

A strong advocate of emerging technologies, Karkaria has championed the integration of digital innovation to enhance operational efficiency, security, and customer experience. His forward-looking leadership has positioned VFS Global at the forefront of border management and visa processing innovation.

Prior to founding VFS Global, Karkaria held several senior leadership roles at Kuoni Group, ultimately serving as CEO and Managing Director of Kuoni India and South Asia. In 2013, he was appointed to the Kuoni Group Executive Board, and in 2015, he became the first Asian CEO of the Kuoni Group. His career milestones include pioneering the outsourced visa services industry, beginning with a landmark project at the US Embassy in Mumbai, which helped shape the global landscape of border management services.

Beyond business, Karkaria has been widely recognised for his contributions. In 2016, he was honoured as Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite by France. He also serves on key industry bodies, including the World Travel & Tourism Council and India’s National Tourism Advisory Council. Through his leadership and innovation, he continues to influence the global travel and tourism sector.