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VFS Global has called on Kenyan travellers to exercise caution when applying for visas as rising international travel demand drives a sharp increase in application volumes.
Visa applications processed by the company in Kenya rose by 20% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
The latest growth follows a 44% year-on-year increase in applications recorded in 2025 compared with 2024, underlining the growing appetite among Kenyans for international travel.
VFS Global is using the increase in demand to remind applicants to remain vigilant against fraudulent agents and intermediaries who claim they can secure early appointments, speed up processing or guarantee positive visa decisions in exchange for payment.
Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Canada continue to attract strong demand from Kenyan travellers, while Australia and China are also recording positive growth.
The growth is being supported by rising travel for tourism, business and visiting friends and relatives (VFR), as well as demand for overseas education.
VFS Global also attributed the trend to increased forward planning by travellers preparing for international trips.
“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.
He advised travellers to use official VFS Global channels and avoid intermediaries who make claims they cannot fulfil.
“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,” he said.
Kubasu added that VFS Global remains focused on supporting governments and applicants through responsible processes, strong anti-fraud measures and reliable services.
Anti-fraud measures strengthened
The company continues to conduct awareness initiatives aimed at helping applicants recognise fraudulent visa practices.
Applicants are reminded that appointments are booked through official channels and that no agent, VFS Global employee or third party can guarantee an earlier appointment, faster processing or a positive visa decision.
According to VFS Global, fraudsters may misuse its corporate identity, including company names and logos, as well as social media listings, search engine pages and unofficial contact numbers.
The company is urging applicants to verify information only through www.vfsglobal.com and report suspicious activity through official contact channels.
Several safeguards have been introduced in Kenya, including appointment verification, OTP-based appointment booking and validation of application and appointment references.
VFS Global has also deployed anti-fraud messages across applicant touchpoints and implemented controlled access to Visa Application Centres, with entry restricted to applicants holding valid appointments.
Applicants can help avoid unnecessary delays by arriving on time, carrying all required documents and reviewing official checklists before their appointments.
Visa access expanded across Kenya
VFS Global continues to invest in improving access to visa services across the country.
The company operates Visa Application Centres in Nairobi, alongside UK Premium Application Centres (NMPACs) in Eldoret and Mombasa.
The Eldoret and Mombasa facilities are designed to meet growing demand for travel to the United Kingdom and complement the UK Visa Application Centre in Nairobi, which has been operational since October 2024.
The centres enable applicants to complete key stages of the UK visa application process closer to their homes, while maintaining established customer service and operational standards.
Applicants retain choice over optional services
Where approved by client governments, VFS Global provides optional services designed to offer applicants additional convenience.
Depending on the destination and availability, these may include assisted form-filling, courier return of passports, SMS notifications, Premium Lounge access and mobile submission support such as Visa At Your Doorstep.
The company emphasised that all such services are optional and transparently priced.
They do not affect the outcome or processing time of visa applications, and applicants may complete the standard application process without purchasing any additional service.
VFS Global said it maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards coercion, misrepresentation, fraud and unethical conduct.
Any allegations of misconduct are reviewed through the company’s governance and compliance processes.
VFS Global has been operating in Kenya since 2007 and currently services 24 client governments through 25 Application Centres, supported by approximately 100 Kenyan nationals.
