Applying for a Visa? Here's What VFS Global Says About Common Myths

For many Filipino travelers, the visa application process can feel like the most intimidating part of planning a trip. With peak travel season fast approaching, questions—and misinformation—tend to circulate just as quickly as plane fares sell out.

In a recent media briefing, VFS Global, the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist, set out to clear the air. Speaking to members of the Philippine media, Atul Lall, Regional Head for North Asia at VFS Global, explained the company’s role in the visa process, addressed common misconceptions, and offered practical reminders for applicants navigating an increasingly crowded travel landscape.

Founded in 2001, VFS Global works with 70 client governments—including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and several European states—and operates in 150 countries. In the Philippines, the company has been operating since 2007 and now serves 33 client governments across 61 visa application centers in eight cities.

With outbound travel from the Philippines continuing to rise—visa application volumes grew by 8 percent year on year in 2025, according to VFS Global—the company says education is just as important as efficiency.

Below, VFS Global addresses some of the most common visa myths still catching travelers off guard.

For many applicants, especially first-time travelers, VFS Global is often mistaken as the authority behind visa approvals simply because it is the most visible part of the process. Applicants submit documents at its centers, interact with its staff, and track applications through its systems, making it easy to assume the company has decision-making power. 

Atul, however, was quick to draw a clear line between administration and authority. “VFS Global just handles the administrative part of the visa application process. The decision on the visa application, the visa tenure, and the timelines all lie solely in the hands of the concerned embassy or consulate,” he said during the media briefing.

He explained that once an application is accepted, VFS Global’s role is limited to ensuring documents are complete, biometrics are captured correctly, and applications are securely forwarded to embassies for assessment. “We have absolutely no role to play in how long you get the visa for, or how long it takes for you to get the visa,” he added.

As demand for outbound travel continues to rise, so do offers promising guaranteed approvals or expedited processing–for a price. According to VFS Global, these claims are among the most persistent and misleading faced by travelers.

“VFS Global or any third-party entity has no role or influence on the decision of the visa application,” Atul said. “If somebody is claiming to give you a guarantee of getting the visa, it’s a false claim.”

He emphasized that visa processing timelines are determined entirely by embassies, based on their internal checks, security protocols, and volume of applications. Even during peak seasons, VFS Global can't accelerate or bypass these processes.

For applicants, this means any promise of guaranteed approval—whether from fixers, agents, or unofficial intermediaries—should immediately raise red flags.

One of the most common frustrations among applicants is the difficulty of securing visa appointments during peak travel months. This has led to the perception that appointment slots are withheld or selectively released.

Atul clarified that VFS Global does not control appointment availability. “Appointment slots are controlled by the embassies. They tell us how many appointments to open, and we open those appointments online,” he explained.

He added that appointments are released strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, following embassy instructions. “There is no back channel. Appointments are not sold,” Atul said, stressing that VFS Global does not charge for booking an appointment itself.

While applicants can track the movement of their passport after submission, many still expect real-time updates on whether a visa has been approved.

According to Atul, this is another area where expectations often don’t align with reality. “VFS Global collects the application and sends it to our client governments for decision-making,” Atul said, adding that the company has “no visibility” over visa approvals or refusals.

VFS Global’s tracking system shows logistical milestones—such as when a passport is dispatched or ready for collection—but does not reveal embassy decisions until the passport is returned.

Another misconception VFS Global continues to encounter is the belief that it offers immigration assistance or overseas job placement services—an assumption that often fuels recruitment-related scams.

“We do not provide immigration or overseas job services. We are not a recruitment company,” Atul clarified.

He stressed that while VFS Global facilitates visa application submissions on behalf of client governments, it does not offer migration advice, employment placement, or pathways to work abroad. Applicants, he noted, should be cautious of individuals or entities claiming to represent VFS Global while offering job opportunities or guaranteed work visas, particularly on social media or through private messaging platforms.

According to VFS Global, any such claims are false and should be treated as warning signs of potential scams.

With services like Visa at Your Doorstep, Premium Lounge, and PrimeTime appointments, some applicants assume that paying extra increases their chances of approval or speeds up processing.

Atul dispelled this assumption with a simple comparison. “It’s like saying if I travel business class, I will reach first—it’s the same flight,” he said.

Premium services, he explained, are designed purely for convenience and flexibility—whether that means submitting biometrics from home, applying outside regular office hours, or enjoying a more comfortable environment. “They do not guarantee visa approval or faster processing,” he reiterated.