As outbound travel from Ghana continues to increase, VFS Global has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, applicant protection and secure visa application services, while cautioning residents against fraudsters who promise early visa appointments or guaranteed approvals for a fee.
The company said the warning comes amid rising visa application volumes across several destinations, particularly during peak travel periods for students, families, organised groups, corporate travellers, sports teams and official delegations.
VFS Global urged applicants to plan their travel early, rely only on official communication channels and avoid intermediaries who claim they can influence visa appointments or decisions.
“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,” said Mr Prashant Kansara, Regional Head for Central and West Africa at VFS Global.
“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. 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.”
Anti-fraud measures
VFS Global said it continues to implement applicant-awareness campaigns to help travellers identify and avoid fraudulent practices.
According to the company, visa appointments can only be booked through official channels, and no agent, employee or third party can guarantee an earlier appointment, faster processing or a favourable visa decision.
It warned that fraudsters frequently misuse company names, logos, fake social media accounts, unofficial websites and fraudulent contact numbers to deceive applicants. The company therefore advised applicants to verify information only through its official website and report suspicious activity through authorised contact channels.
To strengthen applicant protection in Ghana, VFS Global has introduced several safeguards, including one-time password (OTP)-based appointment bookings, appointment verification systems, validation of application and appointment references, anti-fraud messaging across applicant touchpoints, and controlled entry into Visa Application Centres for applicants with confirmed appointments.
Applicants are also encouraged to arrive on time for appointments, ensure all required documents are complete and consult official document checklists before submission to minimise delays.
Support for group and student travel
The company also reported growing demand for organised group visa submission services, particularly from educational institutions, corporate organisations, sports teams, families, travel groups and consultants managing student applications.
According to VFS Global, the service enables multiple applicants travelling for the same purpose to coordinate their submissions more efficiently during peak travel seasons.
The company stressed, however, that the group booking service is purely administrative and does not influence visa decisions, appointment availability or processing timelines, all of which remain the sole responsibility of the respective governments.
Gbese Palace commends service
VFS Global cited a testimonial from the Office of the Paramount Chief of Gbese following visa processing support provided for participants attending the first Gbese Mantse Homowo Festival and Business Summit held in the Netherlands.
His Royal Majesty Nii Ayi-Bonte I, Paramount Chief of Gbese and Adonten of the Ga State, praised the company’s professionalism and its decision to collect visa applications directly from the Palace.
According to the Palace, the service provided convenience for chiefs and queens who had never previously experienced visa application collection outside an embassy or Visa Application Centre.
The statement further commended VFS Global’s professionalism, respect for traditional authorities and guidance throughout the application process, describing the support as instrumental to the successful issuance of visas for the delegation.
Optional services
VFS Global said it offers a range of optional value-added services, subject to approval by client governments, to enhance convenience for applicants during the visa submission process.
These services may include assisted form-filling, courier return of passports, SMS notifications, Premium Lounge access and mobile submission services such as Visa At Your Doorstep, depending on the country of application and service availability.
The company emphasised that these services are entirely optional, transparently priced and have no influence on visa outcomes or processing times. Applicants can complete the standard visa application process without purchasing any additional service.
VFS Global also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards coercion, fraud, misrepresentation and unethical conduct, noting that any allegations of misconduct are investigated under its governance and compliance procedures.
Operating in Ghana since 2005, VFS Global currently serves 19 client governments through a network of 23 Visa Application Centres supported by approximately 100 Ghanaian employees.
