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Vietnamese tourists checking in at Fenghuang Ancient Town in May 2023. Photo: Duy Hieu. |
On March 10, Atul Lall, CEO of VFS Global for North Asia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, stated that international travel demand among Vietnamese people is recovering strongly after the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to an increase in visa applications ahead of the peak travel season.
Citing data from the General Statistics Office, Mr. Lall stated that in 2025, approximately 6.7 million Vietnamese people will travel abroad , a 26.4% increase compared to 2024. Vietnamese tourists are increasingly tending to travel further, more frequently, and are more mindful of their spending and choosing diverse experiences in their travel itineraries.
Cambodia and Japan are among the top preferred destinations for Vietnamese tourists. Many other destinations in the region also attract a large number of Vietnamese tourists, such as Thailand, mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan (China), and Malaysia.
The promise of "guaranteed visa approval"
However, as the demand for overseas travel increases, scammers also take advantage of people's psychology to profit, commonly through schemes such as "selling fake visa appointments" or promising "guaranteed visa approval".
According to Mr. Lall, visa-related scams are not only occurring in Vietnam but also in many other countries.
These individuals often impersonate government agencies, embassies, or organizations that assist with visa applications, making false promises or commitments to deceive applicants.
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Mr. Atul Lall speaks at a press conference in Hanoi on March 10. Photo: Provided by the agency. |
According to this representative, visa appointment scheduling should be done through official channels such as the website of the receiving agency or the portal of the relevant diplomatic mission.
Appointments are booked on a "first come, first served" basis, and booking through the official system is free, except in some countries where advance payment of service fees is required.
Mr. Lall also emphasized that the organization receiving the application does not have the authority to decide whether to grant a visa . The decision to grant or refuse a visa, its validity period, and the processing time rest entirely with the embassy or consulate of the visa-issuing country.
Therefore, promises of "guaranteed visa approval," "expedited processing," or "interference in the application outcome" are unfounded. Applicants should be especially wary of individuals or organizations claiming to be partners or having "insider connections" in order to influence visa results.
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Vietnamese tourists explore the Philippines, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Photos: Linh Huynh, Quynh Trang, Viet Linh. |
"Even a small mistake can lead to the application being rejected."
To avoid risks during the visa application process, experts recommend that people submit their applications as early as possible after booking flights and accommodation . Many countries, especially those in the Schengen Area, allow applications to be submitted up to 180 days before departure.
The information on the application form, such as full name, passport number, and date of birth, must completely match the original documents. The passport photo must comply with the standards of each country, and the application must be complete according to the required items.
Financial documents , including bank statements, also need to be properly authenticated. Even a small error or missing document can lead to the application being rejected.
Applicants are also advised to only pay fees through the official website or in person at the application center. Requests to transfer money via personal accounts, text messages, emails, or social media may be signs of fraud.
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Passengers at Tan Son Nhat Airport, 2024. Photo: Linh Huynh . |
Furthermore, the agency receiving applications does not provide job placement or overseas immigration consulting services. Citizens should be cautious of job or immigration offers made under the guise of visa support organizations.
In the event of being approached by individuals offering to sell appointment slots or claiming to be able to influence visa outcomes, applicants are advised to report the incident to the appropriate complaint channels or authorities for assistance.
Additional services in the application process may include the option to submit the application at a preferred location, access to a private waiting area, or passport delivery service.
However, according to a representative from this agency, these additional services are only intended to increase convenience for applicants and do not affect the visa application outcome.
Source: https://znews.vn/moi-loi-hua-bao-dau-visa-deu-la-lua-dao-post1633800.html
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