How to verify a visa consultant before you pay
Almost every visa consultancy complaint follows the same pattern: money moved before anything was written down. These checks take under an hour and a legitimate business will have no problem with any of them.
On this page
1. Confirm the business exists on paper
Ask for the registered business name and match it against the name on the invoice and the bank account you are asked to pay. A mismatch between the trading name, the invoice and the account holder is the single clearest warning sign there is.
2. Visit or verify the office address
A real consultancy has a working address you can find on a map and reach by phone during business hours. If an in-person visit is impractical, a video call from the office is a reasonable substitute.
3. Read the reviews in full
Screenshots prove nothing. Open the business's public review profile and read recent reviews, particularly the critical ones and how the business responded. Star ratings shown on VisaMarket that carry a Google label come directly from the business's own Google Business Profile.
4. Get the scope and fee breakdown in writing
Before paying, you should hold a document that states what is included, what is billed separately, the professional fee, and what happens if the application is refused. Government and third-party charges must be listed separately from the consultant's fee.
- Services included in the fee
- Charges billed separately
- Refund and refusal terms
- Named point of contact
5. Pay in a way that leaves a trail
Pay to the registered business, not to an individual, and keep the invoice. Bookings made through VisaMarket generate an invoice with a line-item breakdown and permanent order, booking, payment and receipt references you can quote in any dispute.
6. Check the consultant's VisaMarket reference
Every consultancy listed on VisaMarket has a permanent public reference ID beginning VMC. You can enter it on the platform's verification page to confirm the listing is genuine and see its current verification status.
Before you rely on this article
Visa requirements, fees and processing procedures can change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate or official immigration authority.
Need help with your visa application?
Compare verified visa consultants on VisaMarket, check what each consultation includes, and book online or in person. Consultant fees are shown before you book; embassy and third-party charges are always separate.
Frequently asked questions
VisaMarket Editorial Team
Editorial desk, VisaMarket
The VisaMarket editorial desk writes and maintains the platform's visa guides. Articles describe how the VisaMarket marketplace works and how visa applications are handled in practice, and are updated when marketplace data or published official requirements change.
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