The United Kingdom has launched its largest Visa Application Centre in Africa, located in Ikeja, Lagos, through its new commercial partner, VFS Global.
This development aims to improve visa application services for Nigerians traveling to the UK.
The British High Commission stated that this new facility, along with existing centres in Abuja and Victoria Island, Lagos, began operations on November 19, 2024.
The centres are expected to streamline the application process and enhance the overall experience for Nigerian applicants.
Nigeria continues to be a major market for UK visas, accounting for 5% of the global total for UK visit visas.
Over 225,000 visas were processed for Nigerian nationals in the past year, underscoring the UK’s popularity as a travel destination among Nigerians.
At the inauguration of the Ikeja centre, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter expressed his satisfaction, saying, “I am delighted to witness the opening of this, the largest visa application centre in Africa. Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most important partners, and we hope that VFS delivers ever-improving services for those applying for visas to the UK.”
Similarly, Director of Visa, Status and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration, Marc Owen, highlighted the importance of this development, “The opening of our new VAC in Ikeja marks an exciting milestone for UKVI and VFS Global. In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories. This new partnership demonstrates our commitment to ensuring visa services are accessible, efficient, and meet the needs of all applicants.”
The new VACs offer various optional services designed to make the visa application process more convenient. These include:
Document Upload Assistance: Help with uploading necessary documents.
Prime Time Appointments: Submission outside regular working hours.
SMS Notifications: Real-time updates on application progress.
Document Checking Services: Ensures accuracy before submission.
Courier Passport Return: Delivery of passports via courier after decisions are made.
Keep My Passport While Applying: Allows applicants to retain their passports after biometric submission until a decision is made.
In Abuja, applicants can also access the On-Demand Mobile Visa Service, which enables submission from preferred locations such as home or office. Additionally, the Premium Lounge Service offers a more personalised experience with dedicated staff.
The UK has entrusted VFS Global to handle visa services across 142 countries, a significant expansion from its previous coverage of 58 nations. In Africa alone, VFS Global now operates UK Visa Application Centres in 31 countries.
VFS Global emphasized that these optional services are designed to enhance convenience but do not affect the processing time or outcome of applications.
