VFS Global has issued a fraud advisory to Ghanaian residents amid rising demand for visa application appointments in 2026, warning applicants to be vigilant against scammers falsely offering early booking slots for a fee

The company said visa application appointments are free of charge and can only be booked through its official website.

However, fraudsters posing as VFS Global employees or representatives, as well as unauthorised intermediaries, are targeting applicants through unofficial channels and misleading online pages.

According to VFS Global, these individuals often create fake digital profiles using company logos and names to deceive applicants into believing they are legitimate contacts.

The fraudulent schemes are designed to exploit high demand for international travel for leisure, business, education and family visits.

Prashant Kansara, Regional Head for Central & West Africa at VFS Global, urged applicants to rely solely on verified sources for information and bookings.

He advised travellers to follow official VFS Global social media accounts or visit the company’s website to avoid being misled.

“As your trusted partner for the first essential step in your journey in securing your visa, we continue to urge applicants to remain vigilant and avoid parties who falsely promise early appointment bookings in exchange for payment.

With location pins and information on popular social media and search platforms, many fraudsters create a fake presence using company credentials, such as logos and the official name, and include their contact details on these pages.

This deceives genuine travellers, who may mistakenly believe these are official VFS Global contacts. Remember to follow our official and verified accounts on social media or visit www.vfsglobal.com for the correct information,” Mr Kansara said.

As part of measures to curb fraudulent activity, VFS Global has mandated that only applicants with valid appointment confirmation letters are allowed entry into its Visa Application Centres in Accra and Kumasi.

The company has also introduced visa application form validation that links reference numbers to appointment bookings, alongside a mandatory One-Time Password (OTP) requirement to limit third-party interference.

Applicants who suspect fraud are encouraged to report it directly to VFS Global via its official email channels.

VFS Global noted that increased outbound travel demand has also resulted in longer processing times. In response, the company has expanded operating hours, increased appointment availability, and introduced dedicated submission and passport collection periods at its centres in Ghana.