Ghanaians seeking visas have been urged to rely only on official application channels and avoid intermediaries who promise early appointments or guaranteed approvals, as visa processing service provider VFS Global intensifies efforts to combat fraud.
The Regional Head for Central and West Africa at VFS Global, Prashant Kansara, said visa application volumes have risen significantly across several markets, particularly during peak travel periods involving students, families, organised groups, corporate travellers, sports teams and official delegations.
He advised applicants to plan their travel well in advance and obtain information only from verified sources to avoid falling victim to scams.
“Trust is central to the visa application experience. At VFS Global, our role is to provide applicants with a secure, transparent and well-managed administrative process on behalf of our client governments,” Mr Kansara said.
He cautioned applicants against dealing with unauthorised agents who often make false promises regarding appointment availability and visa approvals.
“We strongly encourage residents in Ghana to use only official VFS Global channels, avoid intermediaries who make false promises, and plan their applications well in advance,” he stated.
According to Mr Kansara, the company remains committed to protecting applicants through enhanced anti-fraud measures and secure administrative processes designed to safeguard the integrity of visa applications.
“Our continued focus is on supporting governments and applicants through responsible processes, strong anti-fraud measures and services that help facilitate travel from Ghana in a safe and reliable manner,” he added.
VFS Global explained that fraudsters frequently misuse the company’s name, logo, social media platforms and unofficial contact numbers to deceive visa applicants. To address this challenge, the company has introduced several security measures, including one-time password (OTP)-based appointment booking systems, appointment verification tools, application reference validation mechanisms and anti-fraud awareness campaigns.
The company said these initiatives are aimed at strengthening the security of the visa application process while helping applicants identify and avoid fraudulent schemes.
Meanwhile, the Paramount Chief of Gbese, Nii Ayi Bonte II, commended VFS Global’s services after participating in the Homowo Festival and Business Summit held in the Netherlands in 2025.
Sharing his experience with the company’s group booking service, he praised its professionalism and efficiency.
“For many years of travelling around the world, this is the first time my visa application has been collected at a location other than the Embassy or the VFS Centre. I am really impressed,” he said.
VFS Global reiterated its commitment to providing secure and reliable visa application services while encouraging prospective travellers to remain vigilant and use only authorised channels throughout the application process.
