VFS Global has urged Kenyan visa applicants to use only its official application channels and avoid intermediaries promising faster appointments or guaranteed approvals, as demand for outbound travel continues to grow.
The visa outsourcing and technology services company said visa application volumes processed in Kenya during the first half of 2026 increased by 20 percent compared to the same period in 2025. This follows a 44 percent year-on-year increase in 2025 compared to 2024, reflecting sustained growth in international travel.
According to VFS Global, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Canada remain among the most popular destinations for Kenyan travellers, while Australia and China are also experiencing increased demand.
The company attributed the rise in applications to growing international travel for tourism, business, visiting friends and relatives, as well as increased interest in overseas education.
Stephen Kubasu, General Manager – Operations at VFS Global, said trust remains central to the visa application process and urged applicants to remain vigilant against fraud.
“At VFS Global, our role is to provide applicants with a secure, transparent and well-managed administrative process on behalf of our client governments. As international travel demand from Kenya continues to grow, we strongly encourage applicants to use only official VFS Global channels, avoid intermediaries who make false promises, and plan their applications well in advance,” Kubasu said.
He added that the company remains focused on strengthening anti-fraud measures while supporting governments and travellers through secure and responsible visa application processes.
VFS Global warned that fraudsters continue to misuse company names, logos, social media accounts and unofficial contact details to mislead applicants. The company emphasized that visa appointments can only be secured through official channels and that no individual or third party can guarantee earlier appointments, faster processing or visa approval.
To strengthen applicant protection, the company has introduced several safeguards in Kenya, including one-time password (OTP)-based appointment booking, appointment verification systems, application reference validation, anti-fraud messaging and controlled access to Visa Application Centres for applicants with valid appointments.
Applicants have also been advised to arrive on time for scheduled appointments, carry all required documentation and verify document checklists before submission to avoid unnecessary delays.
As demand for visa services grows, VFS Global said it continues to expand access across the country. In addition to its Visa Application Centres in Nairobi, the company operates UK Premium Application Centres in Eldoret and Mombasa, complementing the UK Visa Application Centre in Nairobi that has been operational since October 2024.
The regional centres are intended to make visa application services more accessible by allowing applicants outside Nairobi to complete key stages of the UK visa process closer to home.
The company also reiterated that optional value-added services—including assisted form filling, courier return of passports, SMS updates, Premium Lounge access and Visa At Your Doorstep, where available—are offered solely for convenience. It stressed that these services are optional, transparently priced and have no influence on visa decisions or processing times.
VFS Global said it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud, coercion and unethical conduct, adding that all allegations of misconduct are investigated under its governance and compliance framework.
The company has operated in Kenya since 2007 and currently provides visa application services for 24 client governments through a network of 25 application centres staffed by approximately 100 Kenyan employees.
VFS Global also advised travellers to submit visa applications early, particularly during peak student and holiday travel periods, and to report any suspicious activity through its official communication channels.
