Nairobi — Visa processing firm VFS Global has issued a public advisory warning Kenyan nationals to beware of fraudulent agents offering fake early appointment bookings in exchange for payment.

The warning comes amid a surge in outbound travel and increasing visa application volumes across Africa in 2025.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in partnership with VFS Global, recently projected that Africa's travel and tourism sector could contribute up to US$168 billion to the continent's economy and generate 18 million new jobs--growth that depends heavily on improved visa and travel infrastructure.

With visa demand at unprecedented levels, VFS Global says scammers are increasingly posing as company representatives or using fake credentials online to deceive applicants.

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"All appointment slots are available free of charge through our official website and are determined by demand forecasts and consulate capacity," said Stephen Kubasu, General Manager - Operations at VFS Global. "We urge applicants not to pay third parties for early appointments, as these claims are false."

To curb rising fraud, VFS Global has introduced tighter security measures, including mandatory One-Time Password (OTP) to confirm appointments and the integration of visa application form reference numbers with appointment bookings, among others.

The organisation has also expanded operating hours and added dedicated time slots for submission and passport collection, alongside increasing waiting area space to manage higher footfall.

Applicants are encouraged to report fraudulent activity by emailing acco@vfsglobal.com.