Jalandhar, February 17, 2026 (News Team): Just before the commencement of peak travel season, VFS Global, the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, shared advisories for visa applicants in India to avoid visa related frauds and apply for visas in advance.
Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, VFS Global, said, “We strongly encourage travellers to apply for their visas well in advance to avoid unnecessary stress and delays. Rushed, last-minute applications often expose applicants to fraudulent actors who take advantage of urgency. Applicants should note that visa appointments are available free of charge and can be booked only through our official website, www.vfsglobal.com. We urge travellers to remain vigilant, rely only on verified sources, and carefully validate any service before making payments.”
As a trusted partner to 53 foreign governments in India, VFS Global would like to remind applicants across the country the following points:
1. Apply for your visa as early as possible
- It is recommended to apply for visas as early as booking flights and stay. Most countries accept visa applications up to 180 days (6 months) before your date of travel.
- They must be booked directly through our official website www.vfsglobal.com or government portals. There could be a nominal service fee to prepay for select countries. We do not offer “priority access” or sell any appointment slots.
- Please beware of scammers and fraudulent entities who claim to be associated with us in any capacity or pose as VFS Global claiming to offer guaranteed appointments.
- The decision on accepting or refusing your visa application, the visa tenure, and timeline to process your application lie solely in the hands of the respective embassies or consulates.
- Please be cautious of scammers offering spurious job or immigration opportunities in the name of VFS Global for money.
- Visit www.vfsglobal.com and select the source and destination countries for visiting the mission website. On the home page, click on the ‘Book an appointment’ tab and then click the ‘Validate appointment’ button. Submit your ARN number and Passport number to verify your appointment.
- If applicants have been asked to make payments to personal accounts to expedite visa application process, applicants may be interacting with a scamster. Payments should only be made through our official website (www.vfsglobal.com) or at our Visa Application Centre.
If visa applicants have been approached by someone selling appointments or claiming insider access, report it to us immediately by visiting https://secure.ethicspoint.eu/domain/media/en/gui/108559/index.html. Applicants can also visit our anti-fraud resource page at https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/donotfallforfraud/ to learn more and protect themselves and their loved ones. If applicants become a victim of visa/immigration fraud, report it to police.
Enjoy our optional value-added services for a seamless visa experience such as:
- Visa At Your Doorstep: Apply for your visa and enrol biometrics from the location of your choice.
- Premium Lounge: Get a personalised submission experience from the comfort of a lounge.
- Prime Time: Apply for your visa beyond normal working hours or even on weekends.
- Courier Service: We deliver your passport and documents. It’s quick, safe, and convenient.
