South Asia: UK visa appointments sold by brokers for 'up to GBP 800' to migrant workers, advertised on Facebook & Telegram; incl. co responses & non-response
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In October 2023, The Guardian reports illicit brokers are booking VFS Global visa appointments and selling them on for hundreds of pounds to migrant workers and students. Some brokers are charging up to £800 for appointments. Such appointments should be free, or up to £80 for a premium service. The article alleges the brokers advertise these appointments ‘widely’ on Facebook (Meta) and Telegram.
The article states the abuse is particularly prevalent in Pakistan and has increased over the past year.
On the official website, there are no appointments available. But the agents say, "If you give us the money I’ll give you one".Inam Raziq, immigration adviser with Birmingham-based Fast Track Global Consultants
VFS Global replied to the journalists’ request for comment.
In November 2023, The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre invited Telegram and Meta to respond to the article, and to outline how they monitor and remove brokers’ advertisements that charge migrant workers and students high fees for UK visa appointments. Telegram did not respond to the Resource Centre’s request for comment. Meta’s response can be read in full below.