Zubin Karkaria the founder and CEO of VFS Global is featured as one of the 100 most inspiring leaders in the Arabian Business Top 100 list.
Welcome to the Arabian Business Inspiring Leaders List, where we spotlight the visionaries who have redefined the business landscape of the Middle East. From driving economic innovation to shaping industries and fostering creativity, this list recognizes those at the pinnacle of leadership and influence.
In a region steeped in history and brimming with opportunity, these leaders stand out not only for their business acumen but for their ability to push boundaries, redefine industries, and chart bold new courses. The Arabian Business Inspiring Leaders List isn’t just a roll call of success stories; it’s a testament to resilience, foresight, and the sheer will to transform both companies and communities. These figures aren’t just leading – they’re trailblazing.
Name: Zubin Karkaria
Designation: Founder and CEO
Company: VFS Global Group
Industry: Outsourcing and technology services
Zubin Karkaria is the founder and CEO of VFS Global Group, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. VFS Global, headquartered in Dubai, UAE, and Zurich, Switzerland, is a portfolio company of Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager. The Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, a global investment organisation, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, hold minority stakes in VFS Global.
With a rich experience of more than 30 years in the travel and tourism business and in developing a truly global business, Karkaria has taken-on and overcome several challenges successfully. An economic value creator, his success lies in his sharp entrepreneurial sense combined with organisation building skills.
Leader in visa, passport and consular services
Zubin’s greatest achievement has been the conceptualisation and the outstanding success of VFS Global – the world’s leading outsourced visa, passport and consular services specialist. He was primarily responsible for launching the business in 2001 to serve one client government with three application centres in Western India, and growing it into a world leader in its space serving 68 client governments with close to 3,400 application centres across 153 countries (as on 30 June 2024). The company has handled over 292 million applications since its inception.
In 2002, VFS Global entered a partnership with Emirates to manage UAE visa services for its passengers across 180 countries worldwide, its first foray into business with the UAE. This was closely followed by the start of visa services in the UAE in 2007, a network that currently serves 40 client governments through 40 visa centres.
Recognising the growing potential of the Middle East as a market, and Dubai as a global business epicentre, Zubin established VFS Global’s headquarters in the UAE in 2013. However, Karkaria’s connection with the UAE dates back to the 1990s when as a Tour Operating business leader in India he played an important role in promoting the UAE as a tourism destination in partnership with Emirates.
In December 2016 Zubin was appointed ‘Chevalier dans l’Ordre National du Mérite’ (Knight of the National Order of Merit) by the President of the French Republic, François Hollande. This exclusive distinction recognised his exemplary contributions of over the past three decades in supporting the development of travel and tourism to France.
In June 2022, Zubin was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of Zanzibar to support the government’s tourism and trade development vision, keeping his extensive experience in tourism development and his experience as a global entrepreneur.
Check out the full list here.