VFS Global issues warning on visa scams amid rising applications

VFS Global has warned Kenyans against using unauthorised agents for visa applications as demand rises. The company reported a 20 percent increase in applications in the first half of 2026. It stressed that no third party can guarantee appointments or approvals.

VFS Global, which handles visa services for several governments, issued the advisory on Tuesday, July 21. The notice came as application volumes grew 20 percent compared to the same period in 2025, following a 44 percent rise the previous year.

Popular destinations for Kenyan travellers include Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and China. The company said fraudsters exploit this demand by promising faster processing or guaranteed outcomes for payment.

VFS Global advised applicants to book only through official channels and to use its website for verification. It has introduced measures such as OTP-based booking and appointment validation to reduce fraud risks.

Applicants were also urged to prepare documents early and arrive on time for confirmed appointments.

Related Articles

The UAE Embassy in Nairobi has announced that Kenyans holding valid residence permits from the United States, United Kingdom and six other countries can obtain visas on arrival. The policy took effect on June 25, 2026.

Reported by AI

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has warned that Kenyans seeking work abroad face increasing risks of exploitation in several regions. In a report submitted on May 7 to the Senate Standing Committee on Labour Migration, he detailed cases involving trafficking and forced labor in Asia, Russia, the Gulf, and North Africa.

As excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup, experts are warning of a surge in online fraud. Following earlier reports of scammers targeting fans, Alejandro Botter of Check Point Software Technologies highlighted an increase in fake websites using FIFA imagery.

Reported by AI

The Capital Markets Authority has issued a warning to Kenyans about fraudsters impersonating licensed firms on social media and fake websites. The alert was disclosed on Friday July 24 amid rising online investments.

This website uses cookies

We use cookies for analytics to improve our site. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Decline