New Schengen Visa Scam: Import-Export Firms Used to Bypass EU Immigration Rules

Resorting to import-export companies, created specifically to grant travelers certain administrative documents required for visa applications. This is the new find of some intermediaries specializing in Schengen visas. The work of the owners of these companies consists of undertaking all the steps and following the necessary procedures to ensure their companies are legal and have all the required documents, such as legal registration of the company and affiliation with the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), reports Assabah. These companies thus produce essential documents for visa applications, such as mission orders, certificates of participation in trade shows abroad or training sessions, etc.

To appear credible in the eyes of consular authorities, some of these companies manage to join Chambers of Commerce affiliated with European countries present in the kingdom. Thanks to this membership, these companies forge links with companies in the concerned countries, thus facilitating the obtaining of invitations or letters of agreement for their employees to benefit from training, internships, or participate in international trade shows. In doing so, these companies have succeeded in offering candidates for emigration to Europe a complete file, including the CNSS affiliation statement, a work and salary certificate, and a mission order abroad, thus facilitating visa obtainment.

The service is priced: sums varying between 40,000 and 60,000 dirhams depending on the destination are paid to the company owners. Candidates are also obliged to sign a letter of resignation from the company to avoid any legal action against them in courts for unfair dismissal or compensation claims, as they have all the documents proving they were employees.