Kenyan travellers seeking visas for international destinations have been warned to avoid fraudulent agents as rising travel demand continues to push application volumes higher.
VFS Global said visa applications processed in Kenya increased by 20% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, following a 44% year-on-year increase recorded throughout 2025 compared with 2024.
The company has renewed its call for applicants to use official channels and remain cautious of intermediaries who promise early visa appointments, faster processing or guaranteed approvals in exchange for money.
Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Canada remain among the most popular destinations for Kenyan travellers, while application volumes for Australia and China are also showing positive growth.
The growth in demand reflects increased international travel for tourism, business and visiting friends and relatives (VFR), as well as continued demand for overseas education.
VFS Global also noted that more travellers are planning their trips further in advance, contributing to increased visa application activity.
“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,” said Stephen Kubasu, General Manager – Operations, VFS Global.
Kubasu encouraged applicants to rely exclusively on official VFS Global channels and avoid third parties making false or misleading promises.
He said the company’s focus remained on supporting governments and applicants through responsible processes, strong anti-fraud measures and services that enable travel from Kenya in a safe and reliable manner.
Applicants urged to verify information
VFS Global said it continues to strengthen public awareness campaigns to help applicants recognise and avoid fraudulent practices.
Visa appointments are booked through official channels, and the company stressed that no agent, employee or third party has the ability to guarantee an earlier appointment, faster processing or a positive visa decision.
Fraudsters may use company names and logos, fake social media listings, search engine pages and unofficial telephone numbers to create the impression that they are authorised to provide visa services.
Applicants are therefore advised to verify all information through the official VFS Global website, www.vfsglobal.com, and report suspicious activity through official contact channels.
The company has introduced several measures in Kenya to strengthen applicant protection. These include appointment verification, OTP-based appointment booking, validation of application and appointment references, anti-fraud messaging and controlled access to Visa Application Centres.
Only applicants with valid appointments are permitted to access the centres.
VFS Global is also reminding applicants to arrive on time, bring all required documents and check official document lists before their appointments.
These steps can help minimise delays caused by incomplete or inaccurate submissions.
New centres improve access
VFS Global is also expanding access to visa services beyond Nairobi.
The company operates Visa Application Centres in Nairobi and UK Premium Application Centres (NMPACs) in Eldoret and Mombasa to respond to growing demand for travel to the United Kingdom.
The centres complement the UK Visa Application Centre in Nairobi, which has been operating since October 2024.
By providing services in Eldoret and Mombasa, VFS Global enables applicants to complete key stages of the UK visa process closer to their places of residence, while maintaining the same customer service and operational standards.
Optional services remain voluntary
Applicants can also access optional services approved by client governments, depending on the destination and availability.
These include assisted form-filling, courier passport return, SMS notifications, Premium Lounge access and mobile submission services such as Visa At Your Doorstep.
VFS Global said these services are optional and transparently priced and do not influence either visa processing times or application outcomes.
Applicants can complete the standard visa application process without purchasing any optional service.
The company maintains a zero-tolerance approach to coercion, misrepresentation, fraud and unethical conduct, with allegations of misconduct reviewed through its governance and compliance systems.
VFS Global has operated in Kenya since 2007. It currently services 24 client governments through 25 Application Centres and employs approximately 100 Kenyan nationals.
