Travel overseas by Filipinos continues to surge since the lifting of travel restrictions in 2021, said visa process outsourcing and technology service specialist VFS Global, noting a 30% rise in applications since the post-COVID-19 pandemic.
For last year, applications grew by 3% from the prior year, though the company failed to provide the exact volume of applications.
The top countries where Filipinos applied for visas include Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Saudia Arabia, Switzerland, and the UK, as arranged in alphabetical order, according to Bernard Vijaykuma, VFS Global head for North Asia and the Philippines.
“We expect this positive travel momentum to sustain in 2025 as well,” Vijaykumarsaid.
Visa scams
The Zurich- and Dubai-based firm, which services 28 embassies in the Philippines, has reminded travelers to be wary of visa scams, offering a quick guide for applicants to mitigate fraud.
“We strongly encourage all travelers to apply for their visas well in advance of their intended travel dates. Waiting until the last moment not only increases the risk of delays but also exposes applicants to fraudulent entities seeking to exploit their urgency,” said Vijaykumar.
“Additionally, it is also important for applicants to know that VFS Global does not work in association with any third-party entities for appointment bookings and has no role or influence on decision-making. They should be aware of scammers and fraudulent entities who claim to be associated with VFS Global in any capacity or pose as a VFS Global representative to dupe unsuspecting visa applicants and do proper due diligence before paying money,” he added.
Vijaykumar noted that most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days before the date of travel.
For Schengen Visa — a travel visa that covers 29 European countries that have abolished border controls at their common borders — meanwhile, applications can be filed as early as six months before the travel date, said Vijaykumar.
Visa appointments meanwhile are free for most countries, except for some that ask for a prepaid nominal service fee, VFS Global said.
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Visa applications mistakes
Vijaykumar meanwhile said travelers should be aware of common mistakes that lead to rejection of visa applications. In particular, Vijaykumar said applicants should make sure that the details on their application forms — name, passport number, and date of birth — exactly match their official documents and that all documents are submitted.
Applicants must also submit photos that meet the required format.
“For certain destinations, applicants should make sure their bank statements are properly updated and authenticated as required, although this may vary from mission to mission. While it is common to present bank statements, and most travelers are aware of this, not having these bank statements authenticated is a common mistake,” VFS Global said.
VFS Global’s role in the visa application process is limited to front-end administrative tasks, which include collecting visa application forms, required documentation as per the checklist, and enroll biometrics, if applicable.
It has 50 visa application centers spread across six cities — Makati, Taguig, Batangas, Paranaque, Cebu, and Davao.
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