Visa guide 101: How to protect yourself from fraud and avoid common mistakes in visa applications

How applicants can safeguard themselves from visa-related fraud

While it’s important to always be wary of suspicious messages, Syed Shahen Sha, VFS Global Country Manager for the Philippines and Brunei, said that some red flags immediately signal you that you are being scammed.

The most glaring one is if someone is asking you to deposit a heavy amount of money in a certain bank account. If you receive this kind of request, you should quickly take this as a sign that something malicious is happening behind the scenes.

Alarms should also go off in your head if someone is putting pressure on you to complete your visa application and deposit money before it expires.

"Normally, the visa processing times are advertised on our website and even on the embassy websites. So generally, if [the application takes] 15 working days, and someone is telling you that in two working days, someone can give you a visa, those are the red alerts," Sha said.

"As an individual, if you really travel and if you are aware of what's happening around you, something that is unusual is definitely a red flag," he added.

If you’re unsure about whether you're being deceived, Sha underscored that it is always good to check the official websites of visa application centers for the proper procedure.

"We have on our website our helpline, email, hotline numbers, so you can reach out to us (the embassy), or the best is to come to these application centers if you're in doubt," he said.

"Unfortunately, in most of the cases, we see that when people are already scammed, they come to us. But we understand," he continued. "If you see something very unusual, and you're in doubt, please reach out to us, and we'll be happy to assist. Especially for the UK visas and immigration, if you fall prey to any kind of such activities, you should immediately report."

If you're applying for a visa through VFS Global, Bernard Vijaykumar, Head for North Asia and the Philippines, noted how they do not charge any payment for scheduling visa appointments for the countries that they serve. These include Australia, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and more.

"Appointments are free and can be booked only on www.vfsglobal.com. There could be a nominal service fee to prepay for select countries," Vijaykumar said.

The company also has no role or influence on the decision of your visa application as this, along with the visa tenure and timelines to process, "lies solely in the hands of the concerned Embassies or Consulates." VFS Global simply handles the administrative and non-judgmental aspects of the visa application.

Apart from that, Vijaykumar warned applicants of scammers who claim to be associated with any third-party entities as well as those offering job opportunities in exchange for money.

What to do if you are scammed

If scammers have managed to dupe you with their schemes, one of the remedies is to seek help from relevant authorities.

"Frauds get reported to us, but there are many that go unreported," said Amar Rijhwani, VFS Global Associate Head for Business Development in Australasia.

"Some of the red flags that have been notified from the past cases are shared, but it differs in every country, every location, with every individual. Some are happening in person, some are happening through the digital platform," he added.

Overall, malicious schemes can come from anywhere, which is why Rijhwani urged applicants to be as cautious as they can be.

Common mistakes that could impact processing—and how to avoid them

Visa-related fraud is just one of the many issues that can impede your visa application. For instance, incomplete and inaccurate visa application forms can instantly pave the way for your visa to get rejected by the consular officer, according to Vijaykumar.

"Applicants should make sure that the details on their application forms, such as name, passport numbers, and date of birth exactly match the official documents," he said. "In some cases, people tend to write information that is inconsistent with the documents or identity proof."

Another common mistake is incorrect photo format. Vijaykumar stressed that applicants must submit photos that meet the required format, such as how the face must be taken from a full frontal position, how the eyes must be open, level and clearly visible within the indicated area, among others.

You should also be mindful of your documentation as even a single missing document may render your application incomplete.

For certain destinations, applicants should ensure that their bank statements are properly updated and authenticated as required, although this may vary from mission to mission.

"While it is common to present bank statements, and most travelers are aware of this, not having this bank statement authenticator is a common mistake," Vijaykumar said.

Applying for a visa at the last minute can also become an issue, especially during peak season when processing can take longer than anticipated. Because of this, it is advisable to apply early to avoid the rush.

"Waiting until the last moment not only increases the risk of delays but also exposes applicants to fraudulent entities seeking to exploit their urgency," Vijaykumar noted.

Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days or three months before your date of travel. If you're applying for a Schengen visa, you can file your requirements for up to six months before your travel date as stated in the revised Schengen Visa Code.

According to VFS Global, the Philippines saw a 3% rise in visa applications in 2024 compared to 2023. It also saw a 38% growth in 2024 compared to the pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Some of the popular destinations include Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and the UK.