VSF Global has said the Schengen visa is a short-term visa that permits holders to stay in the countries for up to 90 days within six months.

It stated this in an official statement released through SchengenVisaInfo.com, at the weekend.

VSF Global explained that when applying for any short-term Schengen visa, all applicants must submit their fully completed and signed visa application forms, their valid passports, and two photos that have been taken recently.

The Schengen visa applicants, VSF Global said, must also submit a roundtrip reservation, proof of having purchased travel health insurance valid for their entire period of stay, proof of having secured a place to stay, proof of enough financial means, and proof of paid visa fee, among others.

It said the visa decisions and the timelines on the applications are entirely up to the respective governments, warning applicants to stay away from tricksters that claim to fast-track their visa approvals, using the hashtag “Do Not Fall For Fraud.”

According to VSF, applicants who need a Schengen visa to be permitted entry into the Schengen countries do not have to pay anything when filling out the application as long as they are not completing the process through intermediaries.

It noted that the only fee that Schengen visa applicants have to pay when applying themselves is the processing fee that goes to the respective country processing the application.

“Visa applicants, stay informed! Decisions and timelines concerning your visa application are entirely up to the respective governments. Stay away from tricksters claiming to fast-track your visa approvals”, it stated.

VSF explained that all applicants are only responsible for receiving their application, adding it does not have any type of influence on the decision.

“VFS Global has no role or influence on the decision of your visa application,” it said.

It stressed that depending on the visa type the applicants are applying for, they are required to submit several documents.

The latest decision came after reports that scammers were tricking applicants into thinking that they could help speed up their visa application process in exchange for a tip.