A warning has been issued to Pakistanis living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about a Canada visa scam involving fraudulent agents.
Pakistanis and other foreign nationals living in the UAE have been warned about fraudulent agents claiming they can secure Canadian visa appointments and guarantee visa approvals in exchange for money.
International visa services provider VFS Global has clarified that booking an appointment for a Canadian visa through its official website is free of charge.
The warning comes amid reports of individuals offering paid services for urgent appointments, priority processing and guaranteed visa approvals.
VFS Global said such claims were misleading, adding that no private agent or company had the authority to guarantee the approval of a Canadian visa.
The organisation said its role was limited to providing administrative and support services for visa applications, while the final decision to approve or reject an application rested solely with the Canadian government.
It also stressed that purchasing additional or premium services did not increase an applicant’s chances of getting a visa or speed up the decision-making process.
Applicants have been advised not to share personal information, passport details or financial data with unverified agents or unknown individuals.
They have also been urged to check visa requirements, document lists and appointment information only through official Canadian government and VFS Global channels.
The warning is particularly relevant to Pakistanis, Indians and other foreign nationals living in the UAE who plan to travel to Canada for tourism, education, business or family visits.
Applicants can book appointments through the official VFS Global website without paying an agent to secure a slot.
