VISA APPLICATIONS GREW. VFS World Head of North Asia and the Philippines Bernard Vijaykumar speaks in a press convention at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig Metropolis on Wednesday (Feb. 12, 2025). Vijaykumar stated the quantity of visa purposes from the Philippines grew by 38 p.c in 2024 in comparison with 2019, surpassing pre-pandemic ranges. (Photograph by Joyce Rocamora)
MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos touring overseas are suggested to be vigilant towards visa scams and fraud by entities promising they’ll affect approval.
Visa outsourcing agency VFS World, which handles the visa-related administrative duties for 28 overseas missions within the Philippines, stated visa purposes within the nation are at “volumes larger than ever earlier than” attributable to a surge in outbound journey, growing danger in processing delays.
This, in flip, is being taken benefit of by scammers by posing as embassy associates or VFS World workers, who make false guarantees about visa approvals.
READ:
Japan Embassy working to fast-track visa processing to five days
Peza, BI signal knowledge sharing settlement to spice up visa service
H-1B visa: How new reforms will impression Filipino professionals
In a press convention in Taguig Metropolis on Wednesday, VFS World Head of North Asia and the Philippines Bernard Vijaykumar stated the quantity of visa purposes from the Philippines grew by 38 p.c in 2024 in comparison with 2019, surpassing pre-pandemic ranges.
Among the many hottest locations amongst Filipinos are Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and the UK.
“With rise in outbound journey calls for from the Philippines, the demand for visas, and thereby reserving visa appointments for varied international locations have additionally elevated,” he stated.
“This elevated demand has develop into an idle play to scammers and fraudsters who trick visa candidates for cash by making false guarantees.”
Vijaykumar stated these entities might ship pretend appointment letters and even use pretend e mail IDs to rip-off candidates, particularly these speeding to get their visas on the earliest doable time.
“We strongly encourage all vacationers to use for his or her visas nicely prematurely of their meant journey dates. Ready till the final second not solely will increase the chance of delays but in addition exposes candidates to fraudulent entities looking for to take advantage of their urgency,” he stated.
The chief clarified that VFS World doesn’t work with any third-party entity for appointment bookings.
VFS World caters to twenty-eight sovereign governments within the Philippines particularly Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece (represents Portugal), Hungary, Eire, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway (represents Iceland), Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates (Dubai visa and Attestation Providers), Ukraine, and the UK.
Its operate is restricted to front-end administrative duties solely, which embody accumulating visa software kinds and required documentation, and enrolling biometrics, if relevant.
Vijaykumar stated it has no position within the decision-making strategy of granting or refusing a visa.
In the meantime, he reminded candidates to use for visas as early as reserving flights and lodging.
Most international locations, he stated, settle for visa purposes as much as 90 days or three months earlier than their date of journey.
For Schengen Visa, candidates might already six months earlier than their departure.
He added scheduling visa appointments is “free” and might be booked solely on www.vfsglobal.com.
There could possibly be a nominal service payment to prepay for choose international locations.(PNA)
Learn Subsequent
Disclaimer: The feedback uploaded on this web site don’t essentially symbolize or mirror the views of administration and proprietor of Cebudailynews. We reserve the appropriate to exclude feedback that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial requirements.
