The Business of 'Jumping the Queue': Why Are People Waiting Months for Their Visas?

The hot summer days are passing, giving way to autumn's cool breezes. Along with this, the number of those heading for vacation is also dwindling, yet the exhausting queues for visas and passports continue unabated. Many citizens who had planned to spend their holidays abroad are still waiting for their turn to obtain a visa, while many others have inexplicably received their visas in a short time and are traveling from country to country.

This mystery is rooted in the 'jumping the queue' business practiced by several travel agencies. But what does this mean? There are cases where, until late at night, numerous citizens abandon their spot in the online visa application system, essentially 'stepping out of the line', revealing available slots at very late hours. Taking advantage of this opportunity, many travel agencies offer to 'push forward' the visa appointment date for a fee. As a result, some receive their visas in a very short period while others, unaware of the intricacies, wait for months for their turn.