The United Kingdom has inaugurated its largest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Africa, located in Lagos, Nigeria, through its new commercial partner, VFS Global. The centre, situated in Ikeja, Lagos, is part of a broader effort to enhance the UK visa application process for Nigerian residents.
According to a statement from the British High Commission on Wednesday, the new VACs are operational in three locations across Nigeria-(Abuja, Ikeja, and Victoria Island (Lagos). These centres have been accepting applications since November 19, offering streamlined services for travellers to the UK.
Speaking at the launch, British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative:
“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.”
Mr. Marc Owen, Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), also emphasized the importance of this milestone:
“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 accessible, efficient visa services that meet the needs of all applicants.”
VFS Global, the UKVI’s partner since 2003, reaffirmed its dedication to providing top-tier services. Alok Singhal, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, noted:
“We are excited to embark on this new journey with UK Visas and Immigration here in Nigeria. We look forward to bringing travellers from Nigeria our best-in-class services.”
Nigerian customers can now access optional premium services designed for comfort and convenience. These include document upload assistance, Prime Time application submission (outside business hours), SMS notifications, courier return of passports, and the “Keep My Passport While Applying” service, allowing applicants to retain their passports until a decision is reached. Additionally, residents in Abuja can take advantage of the On Demand Mobile Visa service to submit applications from their preferred locations, and the Premium Lounge for a personalized experience.
Nigeria remains one of the top nationalities applying for UK visas, contributing to 5% of the global total for visit visas. In Africa, VFS Global now operates UK Visa Application Centres in 31 countries and has expanded its reach to 142 countries globally under the new contract. This development is expected to improve the visa application experience for Nigerians while reinforcing the UK’s commitment to its partnership with the nation.
