As the surge in travel activity continues into 2025, visa applications submitted for various countries have reached record-high volumes.
According to a joint report by VFS Global and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Africa’s travel and tourism industry could contribute up to $168 billion to the continent’s economy and generate at least 18 million new jobs.
However, the report notes that such growth depends on supportive policies, including improved air infrastructure, streamlined visa services, and enhanced tourism marketing.
With demand for visa appointment slots rising, scammers are taking advantage by posing as employees, intermediaries, or agents of legitimate organisations—offering early appointments for a fee to defraud jobseekers and unsuspecting applicants.
Commenting on the matter, Stephen Kubasu, General Manager – Operations at VFS Global, emphasised that the organisation handles only the administrative and non-judgemental aspects of visa, passport, and consular services, and does not play any role in the visa decision-making process.
“We strongly caution applicants against engaging with touts or fraudulent parties who falsely promise early bookings in exchange for payment,” Kubasu said.
To address longer-than-expected waiting times for application processing, VFS Global has implemented several measures, including extended hours of operation, scheduled appointments, dedicated time slots for passport submission and collection, and expanded waiting areas at centres.
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To prevent fraud, only applicants with valid appointment references that match both their form and booking details are allowed entry.
Additionally, a one-time password (OTP) is now required to book appointments, and anti-fraud warnings have been added across social media platforms, appointment letters, call centre messages, and posters.
“With map pins and business information appearing on popular social media and search platforms, fraudsters often create fake listings using our credentials—logos, names, etc.—to deceive genuine travellers,” Kubasu warned.
Processing timelines differ by country, so applicants are advised to check turnaround times in advance. Optional, value-added services (such as Prime Time or form-filling assistance) do not guarantee a faster or more favourable outcome.
On the other hand, premium offerings like Visa at Your Doorstep have grown in popularity in recent years, as more travellers seek added convenience—at an additional cost.
“The availability of appointments, required documents, and visa decisions—including processing time—remain entirely at the discretion of the respective governments. Once scheduled, we strongly recommend applicants arrive at the centre 15 minutes before their appointment to avoid missing their slot,” VFS Global advised.
Applicants are also urged to consult the official document checklist on the website of the relevant country’s embassy or consulate before applying.
