The United Kingdom on Wednesday unveiled its largest Visa Application Centre in Africa, located in Ikeja, Lagos.
With this new center residents of Nigeria travelling to the UK can now book appointments to submit their visa applications via VFS Global’s new state-of-the-art Visa Application Centres (VAC) located in Abuja, Ikeja (Lagos), and Victoria Island (Lagos) which have commenced operations on 19 November.
The British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, attended the launch in Ikeja, emphasising the importance of the UK-Nigeria relationship.
Operated by VFS Global, the new centre marks a significant step in enhancing visa application services for Nigerians travelling to the UK.
This was contained in a statement by the British High Commission in Lagos on Wednesday.
“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 deliver ever improving services for those applying for visas to the UK,” the British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter said.
On his part, the Director of Visa, Status and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Marc Owen said: “The opening of our new VAC in Ikeja marks an exciting milestone for UKVI and VFS Global in the provision of a world-class UK visa service here in Nigeria and elsewhere across Africa.
“In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225k UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories and this new partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient and meet the needs of all applicants.”
According to the Head-Sub-Saharan Africa VFS Global Alok Singhal, the move underscores Nigeria’s long-standing relationship with UK.
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“We are excited to embark on this new journey with UK Visas and Immigration here in Nigeria,” he said.
“We have enjoyed a long-standing partnership with UK Visas and Immigration since 2003 and look forward to now bringing travellers from Nigeria our best-in-class services.”
The new partnership introduces a range of enhanced services, including document upload assistance, extended submission hours, SMS updates, courier passport returns, and the option for applicants to retain their passports after biometric enrolment.
Additionally, Abuja residents can now submit applications from their preferred locations using the Mobile Visa Service, while a Premium Lounge option offers a personalised experience with dedicated staff.
These optional services aim to enhance convenience for applicants without affecting processing timelines or outcomes.
The UK remains a top destination for Nigerian travellers, who account for five per cent of all global UK visit visa applications.
The new facility underscores the UK’s commitment to meeting this demand while maintaining efficient and accessible visa services.
VFS Global, a long-term partner of UK Visas and Immigration since 2003, has expanded its operations from 58 countries to 142, further cementing its role in managing visa services worldwide.
