Travel insurance experts warn of fake visa sites

Families are being warned to watch out for common visa scams before heading abroad.

Travel insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk are urging holidaymakers to be cautious when applying for travel documents online, after reports of fake visa websites and phishing scams targeting confused or last-minute travellers.

A visa is an official travel document that allows someone to enter, stay in or leave a country for a specific purpose and period of time.

While many destinations are visa-free for UK citizens, popular holiday spots such as the USA and Canada require tourists to apply for a Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) in advance.

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is a digital entry permit for visa-exempt travellers, allowing short stays without a full visa.

With more countries now operating online visa systems, scammers are increasingly exploiting the process – creating convincing but fraudulent websites to steal personal information or charge inflated fees.

Last year, British holidaymakers lost over £11 million to travel-related scams,* many of which are believed to be visa-related.

With travel rules varying significantly between destinations, scammers are capitalising on the confusion – setting up unofficial visa application websites, spoofing legitimate government portals, and charging inflated fees for fake or unnecessary documents.

Some holidaymakers only realise they’ve been scammed when they’re denied boarding at the airport or refused entry on arrival.

One of the most common scams involves copycat websites designed to resemble official government visa portals. These sites may charge excessive admin fees, request unnecessary details, or even submit real applications while pocketing the difference.

Another growing threat is phishing via email or text, where fraudsters pose as immigration authorities or embassy officials. Victims are often pressured with warnings of denied entry or urgent deadlines, prompting them to click malicious links or hand over payment information.

Fake visa agents are also targeting holidaymakers, offering fast-track applications for a premium fee – only to disappear after payment or supply forged documents.

Some scams go even further by tricking travellers into applying for visas they don’t actually need, particularly for EU countries, where UK citizens can still travel visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Greg Wilson, CEO and travel insurance expert at Quotezone said: “Many popular holiday destinations now require visas or pre-travel authorisations. Scammers know this and are targeting families who may be unfamiliar with the process or in a rush to get everything sorted before the school holidays.

“Some fake sites look incredibly professional, mimicking official government branding while charging double or triple the standard fee – only for travellers to later discover they’ve bought an invalid visa and paid far more than they needed to.

“Falling victim to a scam like this can ruin a much-needed holiday before it even begins, especially if travellers are denied boarding or refused entry, which is why it’s vital to double-check visa requirements with official sources and ensure any applications go through a trusted government or embassy website.

“Taking out comprehensive travel insurance is also a crucial safety net, providing important protection for missed departures, cancellations, and unexpected travel costs – however it does depend on the cause of the issue and is unlikely to cover losses due to fraudulent visa applications unless you have a specialist policy such as travel disruption insurance, which normally includes missed departures.  These bespoke policies can cover unforeseen delays linked to documentation issues but be sure to check the policy details before travelling.”

To help avoid visa scams this summer, Quotezone.co.uk has shared the following tips:

1.Use official government websites only

Always apply through official government visa portals to avoid falling victim to fraudulent sites. You can find the correct visa application portals by visiting the Foreign Office website at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, which provides up-to-date and trustworthy links for each destination.

2.Check visa requirements early

Visa rules and entry requirements vary widely depending on the country. Research well in advance to understand what documents you need and avoid the stress of last-minute applications. This reduces the risk of turning to unofficial websites in a panic to get your visa sorted quickly.

3.Beware of high fees or urgent pressure

Official visa fees are usually fixed and clearly stated on government websites. Be suspicious if you’re asked to pay significantly higher fees or if you’re pressured to apply urgently. Scammers often use fear tactics to rush you into paying for unnecessary or fake services.

4.Look for HTTPS and check the web address

Ensure the website you’re using is secure by looking for “https://” at the start of the URL and a padlock symbol in the browser. Double-check the web address carefully – scammers often create websites with similar names to official portals, but with subtle differences.

5.Never share sensitive information over email or text

Legitimate immigration authorities or embassies will not request payment details, passport scans, or personal information through insecure email or text messages. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unexpected messages claiming to be official.

6.Pay with a credit card if possible

Where payment is required, use a credit card as it provides an extra layer of protection. If you discover fraud or need to dispute a charge, credit card companies could help you recover your money under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.**

Quotezone.co.uk helps holidaymakers compare and find savings across all sorts of travel insurance including multi-trip, annual travel and USA travel insurance.

References:
*https://www.watchyourpocket.co.uk/insight/holiday-scams-2025/
**https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers/complaints-can-help/credit-borrowing-money/goods-services-bought-credit