Kenya’s Visa Application Volumes Rise 20pc as VFS Global Warns of Fraud Risk

Visa application volumes processed by VFS Global in Kenya rose 20 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

The increase follows a 44 percent year-on-year rise in volumes recorded in 2025 compared to 2024.

Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Canada continue to record the strongest demand from Kenyan travellers, while Australia and China are also showing positive growth trends.

VFS Global attributed the growth to rising international travel across tourism, business and visiting-friends-and-relatives segments, alongside growing interest in overseas education and increased forward planning by travellers.

Alongside the growth in volumes, the company renewed its warning to applicants against fraudulent agents promising early appointments or guaranteed outcomes.

Stephen Kubasu, General Manager for Operations at VFS Global, said trust remains central to the visa application process.

“Trust is central to the visa application experience. At VFS Global, our role is to provide applicants with a secure, transparent, and well-managed administrative process on behalf of our client governments,” Kubasu said.

He urged applicants to use only official VFS Global channels and avoid intermediaries making false promises.

“We strongly encourage applicants to use only official VFS Global channels, avoid intermediaries who make false promises, and plan their applications well in advance,” he said.

VFS Global said no agent, employee or third party can guarantee an earlier appointment, faster processing or a positive visa decision.

The company said fraudsters often misuse its name, logos, social media listings, search engine pages or unofficial contact numbers to mislead applicants.

VFS Global said it has implemented measures including appointment verification, OTP-based appointment booking, validation of application and appointment references, anti-fraud messaging across applicant touchpoints, and controlled entry into Visa Application Centres for applicants with valid appointments.

The company also offers optional services, where approved by client governments, including assisted form-filling, courier return of passports, SMS notifications, Premium Lounge access and mobile submission support.

VFS Global said these services are optional, transparently priced and have no bearing on the outcome or processing time of an application.

Alongside its Visa Application Centres in Nairobi, VFS Global operates UK Premium Application Centres in Eldoret and Mombasa.

These complement the UK Visa Application Centre in Nairobi, which has been operational since October 2024.

The company said the additional centres allow applicants to complete key stages of the UK visa application process closer to where they live.

VFS Global has operated in Kenya since 2007. It currently services 24 client governments through a network of 25 Application Centres, supported by a workforce of approximately 100 Kenyan nationals.

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