Amidst a troubling situation where hundreds of Indian students in Canada are facing deportation, the spotlight once again shines on dubious visa agents and operators who exploit vulnerable students by providing fake visa documents in exchange for hefty sums.
Data from the Ministry of External Affairs reveals that India has sent students to 240 countries, including Canada, Australia, the UK, and the US, for higher education.
However, with the high demand for visas, many students are unknowingly falling into the trap set by unscrupulous agents in their pursuit of studying abroad.
Visa Application Season: May to September
The visa application process experiences a surge in demand during the student season, which typically spans from mid-May to September.
VFS Global, a specialist in visa outsourcing and technology services for governments and diplomatic missions, advised students to be cautious during this period, as miscreants often take advantage of the situation.
The Indian government predicts that the number of Indian students studying abroad will exceed 750,000 in 2022, reaching a six-year high.
According to a report by Redseer, by 2024, 1.8 million Indians are expected to spend $85 billion on education abroad, driven by global professional opportunities and renowned universities.
Given the overwhelming demand, it is crucial for visa applicants to submit their applications early to avoid falling victim to unscrupulous individuals.
Applicants are advised to exercise caution when approached by third-party entities posing as visa service providers, falsely promising appointments or visas using the VFS Global name or other deceptive means.
Additionally, students are encouraged to thoroughly verify the details of the educational institutions they plan to attend, rather than solely relying on agents.
VFS Global, which has processed over 256 million applications since its establishment in 2001, is actively working to raise awareness about visa scams and fraud among the general public.
The company remains vigilant and employs its customer contact points to warn visa applicants about potential scams.
Recently, security personnel from VFS Global apprehended a group of seven applicants in New Delhi who possessed forged documents for Italian visas.
These documents were allegedly provided by two agents based in Delhi, charging Rs 30,000 to Rs 55,000 for their services.
Investigations revealed that the fraudsters had prepared the forged documents by impersonating VFS Global.
The company emphasizes its commitment to combating fraudulent entities and cooperating closely with law enforcement agencies to mitigate such threats.
