Pakistani visa applicants have raised concerns about difficulties in booking Schengen visa appointments through third-party service providers, including VFS Global and Gerry’s.
The concerns emerged after the Embassy of the Netherlands in Pakistan issued a warning about fake visa appointment offers and online scams.
The embassy advised people applying for short-stay Schengen visas to use only authorised booking channels, including VFS Global or Gerry’s.
It also warned applicants against individuals who demand extra money for appointments or claim they can arrange bookings through other methods.
Applicants complain about unavailable visa slots
Social media users questioned why embassies rely on private companies instead of managing appointments themselves.
Some users claimed that appointment slots on VFS Global were often unavailable.
They also alleged that certain agents book available slots and later resell them to applicants for money.
Another concern was that Gerry’s website did not display available appointment dates.
These complaints raised questions about how easily applicants can book appointments through official channels.
Users said public awareness campaigns alone could not prevent fraud if problems within the booking system remained unresolved.
They urged authorities to review the appointment process and improve the monitoring of third-party service providers.
They also called for investigations into complaints about alleged appointment manipulation, unauthorised payments and possible cooperation between agents.
Applicants suggested introducing a secure online booking system managed directly by embassies.
They also referred to Germany’s visa appointment system as an example that could be considered.
Meanwhile, applicants have been advised to use official booking channels and avoid agents who promise guaranteed appointments in exchange for extra money.
On the other hand, previously, the European Union urged Pakistani applicants to submit complete and comprehensive documentation to improve their chances of securing Schengen visas, amid a rejection rate of around 50 per cent.
During his first visit to Pakistan, EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner said Pakistani and European authorities needed to work together to address the high rejection rate and improve the visa application process.
Brunner acknowledged the difficulties Pakistani nationals face in securing visa appointments, describing access to legal travel as an important issue. He said the European Commission was working to improve coordination and streamline visa procedures to facilitate applications and reduce processing delays.