E-Visa Service Providers Fail to Pay Over USD 1.4 Million in Taxes

28-Oct-2025

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A special audit report on the e-Visa contract has revealed that service providers linked to the electronic visa (e-Visa) system failed to pay more than USD 1.4 million in taxes due to the Inland Revenue Department.

According to the report, GPS Tech Services and IVS Global — operating under VFS VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd — collected both the 2.5% Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) and 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) from visa applicants between April and August 2024.

The unpaid taxes are estimated at USD 172,970 (SSCL) and USD 1,245,390 (VAT), totaling USD 1,418,360 in government revenue loss.

During this period, the companies processed 373,991 visa applications, earning at least USD 6.9 million in service fees.

Although tourists from visa-fee-exempt countries were not charged a visa fee, the companies still collected an additional USD 1.8 million in service fees from them — income not generated under the previous ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) system.

Under the new system, all applicants, including those eligible for visa fee exemptions, were required to pay a service fee of USD 18.50.

Tax non-payment was one of several irregularities identified in the audit, which also cited major procedural flaws, revenue losses, and a lack of transparency in the implementation of the e-Visa project.