Blackstone (BX.US) is reportedly considering selling a majority stake in VFS Global, a visa services company.

Blackstone (BX.US) is considering selling a majority stake in VFS Global, the visa outsourcing and technology services company, according to people familiar with the matter, after receiving interest from potential investors. The alternative asset manager has held preliminary discussions with advisers to assess the possibility of selling all or part of VFS, the people said. A potential transaction could value VFS at about $7bn, the people said. One option could include bringing in minority shareholders to help raise cash and promote growth, the people said, adding that companies including sovereign wealth funds have expressed interest in investing in the asset. The deliberations are still in the early stages, and Blackstone may decide not to proceed with a transaction, the people said. A representative for Blackstone declined to comment. VFS Global, headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, according to its website, provides administrative solutions for governments to process passport applications and consular visa services. The company said it has processed more than 294m applications since 2001 and about 141m biometric applications since 2007. Blackstone bought a majority stake in VFS in 2022 from EQT AB, the Swedish investor, for an undisclosed amount. Kuoni and the Hugentobler Foundation retained minority stakes in VFS.