Former French Ambassador to Ghana advises against using intermediaries to apply for visas, as doing so may result in visa denial.

Key Points:

• The ex-French Ambassador to Ghana emphasized that utilizing intermediaries to apply for a Schengen visa will result in automatic rejection.
• She urged applicants to handle the application procedure independently.
• The Ambassador emphasized that individuals flagged as fraudulent by the system should anticipate continual denials.

Former French Ambassador to Ghana, Anne Sophie Avé, cautioned against using intermediaries to apply for Schengen visas. She emphasized that those who engage middlemen to secure a France Schengen visa risk having their application rejected and may face potential bans from all Schengen member states. Anne urged individuals to report any middlemen who request payment for appointment arrangements, labeling them as fraudsters. She strongly advised against responding to such requests and encouraged reporting them to the authorities instead. According to Anne, the Schengen visa application process is straightforward, and applicants meeting the requirements will receive the visa. She highlighted that there's no need to pay hefty sums to middlemen, as the entire process can be completed for less than €100. Anne outlined a simple equation for successful visa applications: fill in the form honestly, provide genuine documents, and refrain from dishonesty, ensuring a high chance of approval. Furthermore, she warned against falling for middlemen impersonating embassy staff, urging vigilance in such situations.

If the system identifies you as fraudulent, you can expect persistent visa denials. A Ghanaian individual who previously relied on middlemen to secure a visa appointment expressed frustration to Anne, mentioning the significant amount of money wasted due to continuous visa rejections. Anne responded by attributing the visa denials to the individual's use of agents, noting that being labeled as fraudulent by the system could lead to repeated denials. She indicated that once marked as fraudulent, obtaining a visa becomes increasingly unlikely. Anne emphasized the need for more stringent checks by French authorities, as middlemen monopolize appointment bookings and resell them at inflated prices. In response, Anne revealed that she previously identified and canceled multiple appointments booked by middlemen with similar contact details. She urged Ghanaians to refrain from supporting middlemen to address the appointment shortage issue effectively.