Ireland : Immigration Service Issues Warning to Applicants

Ireland : In an era where technology has made many aspects of life more convenient, it has also opened doors for individuals with malicious intent. Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has issued a stern warning to visa applicants, urging them to be vigilant and cautious when navigating the online visa application process.

The rising threat of visa fraud in Ireland has prompted ISD to take action and protect unsuspecting applicants from falling victim to fraudsters.

ISD’s message is crystal clear: Visa applications for Ireland can only be submitted through the official AVATS website. Any attempt to apply for a visa or make a payment on any other website may lead applicants to cloned or fraudulent sites, where their applications will neither be received nor processed by the Visa Office.

Ireland Immigration Updates

The Immigration Service Delivery has also advised all applicants to direct their questions and concerns exclusively to AVATS, ensuring that they receive accurate and reliable information throughout the application process.

Unfortunately, cases of visa fraud have been on the rise, prompting visa embassies and centers worldwide to raise awareness among applicants. Earlier this year, VFS Global, a prominent visa application company, reported a surge in fraudsters impersonating their employees and selling fake Schengen visa appointments.

Monaz Billimoria, Deputy Head of the UAE for VFS Global, expressed concern, saying, “There has been an increase in fraudsters this year who are taking advantage of people by selling appointments. We have seen some people come into the center with appointment confirmations which are fake and were unfortunately scammed by these fraudsters.”

Even more alarming was an incident in June this year when two security personnel members at VFS Global’s Visa Application Center (VAC) in Delhi, India, apprehended seven applicants with forged documents attempting to secure visas to Italy. These applicants had fallen prey to two Delhi-based agents who had offered their services in exchange for substantial sums ranging from INR 30,000 to 55,000.

Ireland remains a popular destination, attracting a large number of visa applications each year. According to data from the Immigration Service of Ireland, in the first half of the previous year alone, the country received a staggering total of 64,302 visa applications.

Among the applicants, nationals of India and Nigeria submitted the highest number of applications. India led the pack with 24,277 visa applications, followed by Türkiye with 4,785 applications, and Nigeria with 4,112 applications.

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