THE COMPANY THAT IS LEGALLY EXTORTING MONEY FROM TRAVELLERS IN COLLABORATION WITH FOREIGN EMBASSIES

Unlike Before when Applying for a visa meant a simple walk into the embassy of the country you wanted to visit, Now you are required to pass through this Well organised scam system put in place not just to take away your hard earned money and savings but to also fraustrate you and make you feel worth less.

The relationship between countries, their visa policies, and outsourcing companies like VFS Global has raised numerous concerns among travelers, immigration advocates, and legal experts. While the intent of outsourcing visa services was to streamline the process, many foreign nationals now face financial exploitation due to opaque fees, inconsistent procedures, and unnecessary requirements. Here's a breakdown of how this often occurs:

🔍 1. Mandatory Use of VFS Global and Similar Agencies.

Countries that outsource visa services (e.g., the UK, Canada, Schengen countries) frequently mandate that applicants use VFS Global, rather than applying directly at embassies. This allows VFS to charge additional service fees beyond the standard visa fees set by governments.

Example:

* Schengen Visa Fee: ~€80

* VFS Service Fee: Often €20–€40 (or more) depending on location.

* Optional "value-added services" can range from €15 to €100+, such as:

* Premium lounge access

* SMS updates

* Courier return of documents

* Assistance with filling out forms

These services are often pushed aggressively, even when not necessary.

💸 2. Exorbitant and Non-Transparent Fees

VFS centers charge non-refundable fees, often in local currency, with exchange rates and convenience fees that significantly inflate the true cost. In some countries, paying through specific banks or payment gateways introduces even more costs.

Common complaints:

* Duplicate or unnecessary charges.

* Bundling of services (e.g., paying for biometric services already included in visa fees).

* No clear breakdown of what each fee covers.

⏳ 3. Deliberate Delays and Promotion of “Premium” Services

Many applicants report artificial delays in regular appointments, seemingly to nudge travelers into paying for priority processing, faster appointments, or premium lounge access.

In some cases, applicants are unable to book a basic appointment for weeks, but can get one within days if they pay for a premium slot.

📜 4. Unnecessary Documentation Requirements

Some VFS centers request documents beyond what is officially listed by embassies, often pushing applicants to buy services like:

* Translation (even if documents are already in English).

* Photocopying, printing, or photo services on-site.

* Travel insurance packages that are more expensive than market rates.

🌍 5. Inconsistencies Between Countries

Applicants in different countries report vastly different experiences for the same visa. For example:

* A Nigerian applicant for a Schengen visa may pay more in VFS fees, face longer delays, and be pushed into paying for insurance, while someone applying from Singapore may not face these hurdles.

* Applicants from developing nations often face discrimination and higher rejection rates, despite paying higher fees and being forced to use third-party services.

🔐 6. Data Privacy and Accountability Concerns

With VFS handling biometrics, passport data, and personal documents, there are ongoing concerns about:

* Data security and third-party access.

* Lack of clear legal recourse when fraud, loss, or mishandling occurs.

* Opaque dispute resolution processes—VFS usually denies responsibility, and embassies rarely intervene.

🧾 7. Exploitation of Desperate Travelers

This system disproportionately affects:

* Students

* Migrant workers

* Refugees and asylum seekers

* People seeking family reunification

These groups often borrow money or sell assets to pay for fees, only to be denied without a refund.

📞 8. Inadequate Customer Support & Improper Communication

One of the most damaging aspects of the VFS Global system is the poor quality of customer service provided to visa applicants — especially given the high fees charged.

✖️ Common problems reported:

* Untrained or misinformed staff:�Many front-line staff at VFS centers are not citizens or employees of the embassies they represent. They're often contract employees or local hires with minimal knowledge of visa laws, consular policies, or country-specific immigration nuances.

* Wrong or misleading information:�Applicants are frequently misinformed about:

* Required documents

* Processing times

* Visa eligibility

* Appeal or reapplication options

* This leads to rejections, delays, or additional financial losses due to re-booking travel or reapplying.

* No direct contact with embassy staff:�Applicants are blocked from communicating directly with consulates or embassy officers. VFS acts as a buffer, but often fails to escalate urgent or complex issues appropriately.

* Language barriers and scripted responses:�Customer service centers (via phone or email) are often outsourced to third countries, where agents follow rigid scripts, offer generic answers, and cannot resolve problems.

* Email-only complaint systems:�When something goes wrong, applicants are usually told to email support. Responses are often:

* Automated

* Delayed for days or weeks

* Non-committal ("We regret the inconvenience...")

🔄 9. Systemic Lack of Accountability

This poor communication is not just frustrating — it's strategic. It creates a dead-end for complaints, allowing VFS and government authorities to avoid:

* Issuing refunds

* Admitting responsibility for mistakes

* Offering recourse when important documents (like passports) are delayed, lost, or mishandled

In essence, VFS becomes a paywall between citizens and their right to travel, while avoiding the accountability a public institution would face.

🧱 Summary: A Legal Gray Area

VFS Global operates in a legal gray zone, protected by contracts with governments but not accountable like public institutions. While not technically "illegal," the lack of regulation and oversight leads to exploitation and class-based discrimination in global mobility.

🚨 What Can Be Done?

* International advocacy and legal reform around visa outsourcing practices.

* More transparency from embassies about real visa costs.

* Governments should audit and regulate third-party service providers.

* Consumer rights frameworks to hold VFS and others accountable for unjustified charges.

🔚 Final Analysis

Countries outsourcing visa processing to VFS Global and similar firms may save on administrative costs, but they’ve created a system that is:

* Profitable for private companies

* Inaccessible and extractive for travelers

* Unjust for applicants from lower-income or Global South countries

* Opaque, unaccountable, and often dehumanizing

📢 Call to Action

The situation demands:

* Public pressure on governments to reconsider visa outsourcing.

* Regulation of third-party visa processors under consumer protection and data privacy laws.

* Investigative journalism into profiteering and abuse.

* Legal challenges in countries with consumer rights frameworks.

After Reading Kindly share your thoughts and experiences in the comment Section.

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