January 24, 2026 | 07:50 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Along with the increasing interest in traveling abroad, Indonesian tourists are reminded to be cautious of visa scams. VFS Global, the official partner for visa processing for 24 countries in Indonesia, has received numerous reports of fake appointment letters and illegal fees for priority visa processing.
This warning comes ahead of the busy visa application season for mid-year holidays abroad. Simon Peachey, COO of VFS Global for Australasia, China, and RCIS, stated that the increasing demand for visa appointments has led to a surge in fraudulent activities. Scammers offer fast-track visa approvals in exchange for upfront payments. Some even claim to be able to arrange appointments and link them with VFS Global.
In fact, Simon mentioned that VFS Global cannot expedite visa processing or guarantee visa approvals. "Visa processing time is determined by the embassies, and VFS Global cannot influence the timeframe or decision," he said during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Regarding the visa processing sequence, he stated that everything is regulated by the destination country's government, usually based on a first-come, first-served basis. The company also cannot provide updates or the real-time status of visa applications. "VFS Global only collects applications and directly submits them to the client country's government for decision-making. We cannot provide real-time updates on those decisions," he added.
He also emphasized that appointments are free of charge and should be directly booked through their official website or the designated government portal. VFS Global does not sell appointment slots or offer priority access. So, be cautious if anyone offers these for a certain fee.
Simon also cautioned travelers to be wary of job offers abroad. According to him, there have been cases of fraud involving the use of VFS Global's name to offer assistance with overseas employment opportunities.
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