BLS visa services under investigation over €25,000 Schengen fee allegations

BLS International, a major visa application processing firm serving Indian passport holders, has come under investigation following allegations of charging €25,000 for Schengen visa services. The probe was triggered amid a broader immigration controversy involving Spain and migration flows from Algeria.

The company, which operates visa application centres across India on behalf of European embassies and consulates, is accused of levying substantially higher fees than standard official charges for Schengen visa processing. Schengen visas typically involve significantly lower application fees, with the standard charge being around €80, making the alleged €25,000 amount extraordinarily high.

The investigation emerges as Spain grapples with migration pressures, including arrivals from North African nations. European authorities have begun reviewing visa processing practices at outsourced service providers to ensure compliance with regulations and prevent exploitation of applicants.

BLS International operates as an intermediary in the visa application process for numerous countries and serves as a critical touchpoint for millions of Indian travellers applying for European visas annually. The company has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the allegations.

The matter raises questions about oversight mechanisms governing private visa processing agencies and their fee structures across South Asia, where demand for travel visas remains consistently high.