Protect yourself vs visa scam

With travel demand skyrocketing across the globe, Filipinos eager to explore new destinations are facing a growing number of visa-related frauds.

As more and more applications flood in, scammers are capitalizing on the desperation of applicants looking to secure travel documents quickly.

These fraudsters often pose as agents or “insiders,” offering fake appointment slots or guaranteeing visa approvals in exchange for hefty fees.

The rising tide of scams prompted VFS Global, the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service provider for visa processing, to address the issue at an anti-fraud awareness event held on 12 February in Manila.

In a region where outbound travel is increasingly becoming a priority, the event highlighted critical ways that travelers can avoid falling victim to fraud, emphasizing the importance of early preparation and understanding the official visa application process.

During the event, Bernard Vijaykumar, head of North Asia & Philippines at VFS Global, stressed the significance of planning ahead when applying for visas.

“The rush to secure last-minute appointments puts applicants in a vulnerable position,” he explained. “Scammers thrive on this urgency, offering quick fixes and charging outrageous fees for services that are, in fact, available for free through official channels. Our advice is simple: apply as early as possible and make sure you’re only using trusted sources like vfsglobal.com.”

VFS Global, which partners with various embassies and consulates to process visa applications, has made it clear that they do not charge for appointment bookings and do not work with any third-party agents who claim to offer visa appointments or faster processing.

According to Vijaykumar, “We do not charge a single peso for booking visa appointments on our official platform. Any offers to ‘secure’ an appointment for a fee or promises of ‘special treatment’ are unequivocally scams.”

Another common fraud tactic involves individuals or agencies claiming to have the power to influence a visa’s outcome.

However, as VFS Global reminds applicants, the decision to approve or deny a visa is solely in the hands of the embassy or consulate handling the application.

VFS Global’s role is strictly administrative — processing documents, managing appointments, and ensuring the application is complete. They have no influence over the final decision.

Vijaykumar also cautioned applicants against being lured by scammers offering job placements or immigration services.

These fraudsters often promise employment or residence permits in exchange for substantial payments, but VFS Global does not provide such services.

“We have no role in job placements or immigration processes,” Vijaykumar said. “Anyone offering such services under the guise of VFS Global or a visa service provider is misleading applicants and exploiting their trust.”