AN illicit trade targeting individuals applying for UK visas from certain parts of South Asia has been growing in the past few years, an investigation revealed.
Brokers in these regions are charging exorbitant prices, sometimes up to £800, for appointments that should be freely available, reported The Guardian.
The thriving underground trade is prominently advertised on social media platforms like Facebook and Telegram.
Posts lure potential applicants from Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh with promises of stress-free UK visa appointments. Additional offers propose assistance to navigate through the official system's delays, pledging next-day appointments at what they deem "fair rates," all without an upfront payment.
The spike in demand for UK visas, particularly from international students and healthcare workers, has led to this exploitative system, the report added.
Appointments for those planning to stay in the UK for over six months or short-term visitors from specific countries require an in-person meeting in their home country for biometric data submission.
However, in South Asia, acquiring these appointments through the official channels has become increasingly challenging due to the actions of these brokers. These middlemen deploy various methods, including using automated bots to detect and secure newly available slots and even needlessly booking and re-booking appointments, subsequently selling them to desperate clients.
The situation is particularly dire in Pakistan, where the abuse of the appointment system has seen a significant surge in the past year. Applicants have found themselves compelled to resort to these brokers after facing insurmountable challenges securing appointments through legitimate means.
For many, these middlemen have become the only feasible option. Individuals seeking visas report the struggle to secure appointments through official channels, leading to turning to brokers who demand high fees for a service that should be easily accessible.
According to the report, the issue not only burdens applicants financially but also causes considerable stress and inconvenience. Some applicants have experienced significant setbacks, such as missing flights and having to defer university start dates due to these appointment delays.
While officials from VFS Global, the company handling UK visa applications in the region, are taking measures to counter the fraudulent activities, critics call for a simpler and more transparent appointment booking system. They propose direct assignment of appointments to applicants or scheduled release times to curb the exploitation by unauthorised agents.
In reaction to the findings, the Home Office expressed its commitment to taking strong measures to address the 'misuse of the visa scheduling system' by unauthorised agents in South Asia.
“We are continuing to work with the provider to introduce measures to stop this fraudulent behaviour and ensure appointments are made available to genuine individuals,” a spokesperson said.
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