- Bangalore led Tier 1 cities with an 11.5x increase in visa demand; Mohali and Surat each saw 6.4x growth from Tier 2.
- Millennials contributed to 50% of total visa applications, while GenZ contributed 37%
- US Stays #1, South Africa Soars with 22x Growth
- Atlys witnessed 4.5x growth in applications over daily average
- First-time international travellers made up 20% of all applications, with strong interest in Vietnam, South Africa, and Hong Kong.
- New user registrations grew 6.5x and peak traffic rose 3.6x with application completion time dropping by 90%.
Atlys’ One Way Out (OWO) Sale premiered on the 4th and 5th of August, marking India’s first-ever visa sale with visas and visa appointments available for just ₹1. Indian travellers rushed to seize the opportunity, resulting in substantial growth across multiple markets and user segments.
“Atlys was created to remove friction from global travel,” said Mohak Nahta, Founder and CEO of Atlys. “With the OWO Sale, we didn’t just bring down costs; we opened up possibilities. The surge in demand from new users, first-time travellers, and users from cities large and small shows just how ready India is to explore the world.”
The United States received the highest number of visa applications during the ₹1 Visa Sale, followed by South Africa, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the UAE, making up the Top 5 destinations by total volume. In terms of growth, South Africa emerged as the standout story, recording a striking 22x increase over its regular daily average. It was followed by the US (16x), Bali (4.8x), Vietnam (4.5x), and Sri Lanka (4.2x), showcasing rising demand for both iconic and emerging travel spots.
The momentum wasn’t confined to major metros – it surged across India, spanning diverse demographics. Tier 1 cities witnessed substantial response with an average growth of 7x compared to regular days. Bangalore led this charge with an 11.5x spike over the average, followed by Mumbai (7.84x) and Delhi NCR (6.54x).
Tier 2 cities delivered a strong showing with an average increase of 5x in applications. Cities like Mohali and Surat showed the greatest spikes, each clocking approximately 6.4x growth, highlighting the widespread demand unleashed when price barriers are removed.
The sale witnessed strong participation across gender lines, with men accounting for 62% of total applications while women comprised 38% of the campaign. Gender preferences revealed distinct destination patterns: women showed strong preference for the United States and South Africa, with notable concentration in applications for Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Men gravitated toward a broader mix, with the United States, South Africa, UAE, Indonesia, and Vietnam emerging as their top choices.
As for age demographics – Millennials led the charge, driving 50% of all applications and reinforcing their position as India’s most travel-active demographic. Gen Z followed with a substantial 37% share. The remaining 13% came from other age groups, proving that the sale’s appeal transcended generational boundaries and resonated across India’s diverse age spectrum.
First-time international travellers comprised 20% of total applications. This segment gravitated toward destinations that offered a compelling mix of affordability and greater approval rates. South Africa, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Hong Kong emerged as the top choices for this segment.
The sale attracted a significant influx of new users, reflecting its strong appeal to first-time applicants and undecided travellers. It also saw continued engagement from existing users. The campaign drove visa application volume to 4.5x above daily averages, marking a significant spike in user activity and reflecting pent-up demand once price barriers were lifted.
Traffic on the website peaked unexpectedly at 11:30 AM on Monday, spiking 3.6x compared to average levels during sale period. The average time to complete visa applications also dropped dramatically by 90%, reflecting users’ thorough preparation and research.
Atlys’ OWO Sale performance signals a larger shift in how Indian travellers approach global mobility, transforming international travel from a luxury consideration into an accessible opportunity across demographics and geographies.
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