Filipinos advised to request Visa, to be alert to visa fraud

Through Patricia B. MirasolProducer

Filipinos is advised to request a visa early to prevent delays, even if they are warned against visa contracts that include the issue of fake appointment letters or the promise to influence visa decisions.

Sales agreements is one of the best visa fraud turns, according to Bernard Vijaykumar, head of North Asia and Philippines of VFS Global, a company that helps governments and diplomatic missions with visa, passport and consular services.

Visa agreements, he said, are free. VFS Global is also neither involved in placing jobs or immigration services.

“Do not fall promising for VFS Global Dupes [such services]”He said in a media event of 12 February. “We will not ask applicants to deposit money into all bills.”

Visa applications in the Philippines in 2024 rose by 3% compared to 2023, Mr Vijaykumar also said during the event.

There was also a growth of 38% in 2024 versus 2019.

The most popular travel destinations that are observed in the Philippines are – in alphabetical order – Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Saudi -Aarabia, Switzerland and the UK and the UK

VFS Global offered tips to prevent visa -related fraud:

1. Know that you can request early – most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days before the travel date. For a Schengen visa you can request up to 6 months prior to the travel date.

2. Know that visa agreements are free – there can be a nominal service costs to pay in advance for selected countries.

3. Know that VFS Global has no role or influence on the decision of the Visa application – the decision on visa applications, the visa contractor and the time lines to process them are in the hands of the embassies or consulates involved.

4. Know that VFS Global does not work in collaboration with external entities pass for scammers claiming to be associated with or to form, as VFS Global and warranty agreements or positive visa decision

5. Know that VFS Global is neither involved in the installation of jobs nor immigration -related services. – Be careful with scammers who offer false job or immigration options in exchange for money.

Moreover, travelers are reminded of revising their visa applications to prevent these common mistakes:

1. Information – Mermatch – The details about the application forms, such as name, passport number and date of birth, must correspond to the official documents.

2. Incorrect photo – layout – Check the photo guidelines that are specific to someone’s goal destination.

3. Incomplete documentation – See the checklist for someone’s target destination.

4. Non -rejected bank statements – For certain destinations, applicants must ensure that their bank statements are updated and verified as required. Although most travelers know that they have to present bank statements, it does not remain a common mistake, it does not remain a common mistake.

Peak travel seasons can cause delays, so it is advisable to request early, Mr Vijaykumar said.

“Waiting until the last minute not only increases the risk of delays, but also exposes applicants to fraudulent entities that want to exploit their urgency,” he said.