MANILA, Philippines — The post-pandemic travel bug is real! Visa applications in the Philippines have surged drastically in the past years, and are expected to increase through 2025.
However, as application processes continue to change, first-time applicants might find the visa process too daunting to navigate. The stress of long wait times, strict requirements, and tedious paperwork can be overwhelming. Anxious travelers might be prompted to make rash decisions in the rush to secure a visa — turning into the perfect victims of visa scams.
To caution the public, visa outsourcing company VFS Global held a conference on February 12, at Shangri-La The Fort, where they warned Filipino travelers against visa scams, especially during peak seasons from February to September.
VFS Global defines visa scams as “fraudulent schemes that prey on desperate travelers, where scammers pretend to be official employees, sell fake appointments, or falsely promise approvals to exploit unsuspecting applicants.” Victims often end up with lost money, stolen personal information, and travel disruptions.
These scams can happen anywhere: offline, through email, SMS, or social media. To avoid falling victim, here are the major red flags every traveler has to watch out for — and what you can do to protect yourself against them.
Unauthorized visa appointments and upfront payment
The most common scam tactic would be the selling of visa appointments by fake and unofficial accounts on various platforms. Keep in mind that the embassies and trusted partners would never ask for hefty amounts of payments through social media or email. Usually, the scammers would demand immediate transfers, even pressuring you with a time limit or an “expiration” for you to pay immediately.
Make sure that all your transactions are done through the official portals and accounts of the embassy and your trusted agencies. Double-check the website URLs, verify the authenticity of the accounts, and scan for any typos or formatting errors.
Think twice before you click any suspicious links that could prompt your online wallets to make an unwanted transfer of funds. VFS Global also emphasizes that booking of visa appointments through their website is free and that third parties that claim to be them to ask for money are frauds.
Fake job placements and immigration-related offers
If you’re looking to work abroad, you should be cautious of overseas job offers that turn out to be a scam. These placements, usually posted on social media, boast high salaries for entry-level positions, claiming that they will grant you employment and take care of your visa right away. Remember that legitimate companies will have a proper screening and job interview process, and will never claim to guarantee you a foreign visa.
Be careful not to give out any sensitive personal information such as your passport number, address, and bank details in case the entity asks you to fill up a job application or sign a contract. Carefully peruse the company’s page or website and watch out for inauthentic contact details, vague job descriptions, or fake documentation.
Guaranteed approvals and short lead times
Finally, the most obvious sign of a scam is a false promise of a guaranteed visa. The processing timelines and final approval or decline of your applications cannot be influenced by any entity outside the concerned embassies and consulates. Not even authorized partners like VFS Global have a say in the outcome of your application.
Oftentimes, these messages sound too good to be true. Some would even offer a “fast-track” option to acquire a visa instantly. Depending on your destination, processing time at the embassy would usually take months, but never within days.
“Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days (3 months) before your date of travel. According to the revised Schengen Visa Code, effective 09 February 2020, you can apply for a Schengen visa up to 6 months before your date of travel,” VFS Global noted.
To combat visa scams, VFS Global North Asia & Philippines Head Bernard Vijaykumar advises the public to apply as early as possible: “Waiting until the last moment not only increases the risk of delays but also exposes applicants to fraudulent entities seeking to exploit their urgency.”
This goes hand-in-hand with equipping yourself with accurate information through extra research.
Making sure that you have complete documents is also essential to a smooth process. Common reasons for rejections of foreign visas are because of avoidable minor errors such as mismatch of information in the application form, incorrect photo standards, incomplete documentation, and unauthorized bank statements. Re-checking your files before submitting will go a long way.
As an extra measure, getting help from legitimate travel agencies or scheduling a free visa appointment with VFS can add another layer of security to your trip. There are also options to purchase value-added services from the company like courier assistance and on-demand mobile visa for heightened convenience.
If you or anyone you know has been victimized by a visa scam, keep documentation of all necessary evidence and report your case to relevant authorities such as the local police, National Bureau of Investigation, or the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Amidst the heat of the peak season rush, Filipino travelers are reminded to stay vigilant for a secure application and safe travel. – Rappler.com