2024年，国内外旅游市场飞快复苏。随着签证申请旺季的到来，不少有出游、度假、留学等需求的出行人员纷纷遭遇欧美热门国家签证预约难题。面对激增的签证申请量和紧张的预约名额，作为全球领先的外包和技术服务专家，威孚仕VFS Global发起签证“提前申请”倡议，签证申请旺季已经到来，建议在未来3个月内已有出行计划的申请人尽早预约签证办理，顺利完成舒心出行第一步。

01

旺季来临，尽快申请签证

申请签证的过程可大致分为三个重要时间阶段：申请准备、预约递交、等待审理。提早规划相应安排可帮助申请者避免因准备不足而耽误签证获取或出行行程。

在准备签证申请时，申请者可以留意最早申请期限和签证审理时间，以便做到心中有数。目前大多数国家接受提前90天的签证申请，申根签证可提前6个月申请。请注意，暑期是签证申请的高峰时段，为确保在旅行前顺利办理签证，建议申请人越早着手办理签证越好。

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02

清点材料，检查细节，才能万无一失

准备详细真实且完善的辅助材料是递交签证申请的关键步骤。不同国家不同签证类型所需要的材料清单，同样可以参阅所申请国家的领事馆官方网站或威孚仕VFS Global网站。请反复对照检查，并留意细节，例如护照有效期、必要翻译件、保险、需要盖章的证明文件等。许多国家要求护照有效期需覆盖离境日期后的6个月。

03

签证免费预约，谨防诈骗和虚假信息

在预约签证申请时，申请者可以在威孚仕VFS Global网站上预约前往所在地区签证中心的时间。

鉴于近期旺盛的市场需求和有限的签证预约供应，威孚仕VFS Global在预约系统中部署了防范措施，以阻止机器人和第三方实体进行欺诈性滥用。这些措施可能会无意中影响反复检查可预约时间的真实申请人。因此，建议申请人避免频繁登录并检查防火墙限制。

此外，随着出境游和签证申请热度不断升高，不法分子可能使用虚假的电子邮箱账号、欺骗性的网址链接和伪造的logo等冒充威孚仕VFS Global，以签证中心或工作人员的名义，要求申请人提供个人信息或缴纳费用，用以处理签证申请。

在此，提醒大家保持警惕，威孚仕VFS Global签证申请预约不收取任何额外费用，并实施在线预约、先到先得的策略，个人、团体或旅行社均可进行在线预约。威孚仕VFS Global从未对外出售预约申请名额，建议申请者尽早预约到访签证中心，切勿因为时间急迫而掉入诈骗陷阱，损失钱财的同时耽误出行计划。

04

快捷服务，升级个性化体验

在高端个性化用户迅速增长的背景下，威孚仕VFS Global为申请人提供一系列如“上门签证”（VAYD）和“尊享贵宾室”（Premium Lounge）等增值服务，以满足用户的高端个性化需求。有些国家提供优先办理或快速通道服务，例如英国。有需要的申请者可以在申请国家的领事馆官方网站查阅详情。同时，威孚仕VFS Global提供包括填表、翻译、打印等在内的可选服务，帮助有需要的申请者快速、便捷、顺畅地完成申请。所有的增值服务都由客户自主选择，这些服务可在线或在签证申请中心获取，仅收取象征性费用。选择任何增值服务并不能保证有关大使馆/领事馆更快或更积极地作出签证决策。

Visa application peak season approaches: VFS Global reminds you to apply in advance

In 2024, the inbound and outbound tourism market is recovering rapidly. With the arrival of the peak season for visa applications, many people with needs for travel, vacation, or studying abroad are facing difficulties in securing appointments for visas to popular countries. In response to the surge in visa applications and limited appointment slots available, VFS Global launches the "Advance Visa Application" initiative. As the visa application peak season approaches, they recommend that applicants who have travel plans within the next three months make their visa appointments as early as possible to smoothly complete the first step towards a stress-free journey.

01

Plan ahead, apply for your visa in advance

The visa application process can be divided into three important time points: preparation, making appointment, and waiting for processing. Planning ahead can help applicants avoid delays in obtaining their visas or travel plans due to insufficient preparation.

When preparing for a visa application, applicants should pay attention to the earliest possible application date and the processing time for the visa, so that they can have a clear picture of arrangement. Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days in advance, with Schengen accepting documents up to six months prior to the date of travel. Please note that the summer season is a peak period for visa applications, with limited appointment slots available and generally longer processing times compared to other periods. Therefore, leaving enough time for application is essential.

02

List documents and check details

Detailed and truthful supporting documents is a key step regarding to visa application. The list of documents required by different countries and different types of visas can be referred to official website of the embassy or consulate, or on VFS Global website. Please check and compare it repeatedly and pay attention to details such as the expiration of your passport, necessary translation copies, insurance, documents that need to be sealed, etc. Many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your return dates.

If you have any uncertain issues, consult with visa professionals such as travel agencies, visa experts, consulates in time. These experts are well-versed with the intricacies of visa procedures and can guide you through the process, ensuring that all requirements are met.

03

Visa appointments are free of charge, please beware of fraud and false information

In the process of scheduling visa appointments, applicants can book a time to visit the visa application center through VFS Global's website.

Given the high market demand and limited availability of appointment slots, VFS Global as a responsible service provider, proactively deployed counter measures on the appointment booking system to prevent fraudulent misuse by bots and third-party entities. These measures may inadvertently also impact genuine applicants who try to check the appointment availability repeatedly. Hence, we advise applicants to avoid frequent login and check connections for firewall restrictions.Besides, as the popularity of outbound travel and visa applications continues to rise, it is possible that unscrupulous individuals may use fake email accounts, deceptive website links, and forged logos to impersonate VFS Global, a visa center or its staff members. They may request applicants to provide personal information or pay fees for processing visa applications. In light of this, we would like to remind everyone to remain vigilant.

VFS Global implements an online reservation system on a first-come-first-served basis, available for individuals, groups or travel agencies. VFS Global has never sold appointment slots externally; we advise applicants to make appointments at the visa center as early as possible and avoid falling into fraudulent traps due to time constraints which could result in financial losses and disrupt travel plans.

04

Choose additional services to enhance experience

In the context of rapid growth in high-end personalized applicants, VFS Global provides a range of value-added services such as 'Visa At Your Door' (VAYD) and 'Premium Lounge' to better assist travellers in completing their visa applications.Some countries offer priority or express services, such as the UK. Applicants can find details on official website of the embassy or consulate. Meanwhile, VFS Global also provides optional additional services including filling forms, translation, and printing to help applicants complete their applications quickly, conveniently, and smoothly.

When waiting for the result, applicants are advised to keep track of the progress and communicate with the embassy by email, if necessary, which enables you to keep up with the application status in time and prepare for the next steps. All value-added services are chosen by the customer themselves and can be obtained online or at the visa application center for a nominal fee. Selecting any value-added service does not guarantee faster or more proactive visa decisions from the embassy/consulate.