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UK launches Africa’s biggest visa application centre in Lagos

November 28, 2024 8:58 am

L-R: Jonny Baxter, British deputy high commissioner in Lagos; Marc Owen, director for visa, status and information services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI); and Srinarayan Sankaran, chief operating officer – global operations, and head of UKVI account management team

VFS Global has announced the opening of Africa’s biggest UK visa application centre (VAC) in Lagos.

The centre commenced operations on November 19 according to a statement.

VFS said Nigerians travelling to the UK can now book appointments to submit their visa applications through VACs located in Abuja and Lagos (Ikeja and Victoria Island).

Marc Owen, director of visa, status and information services at UKVI, 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 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,” Owen added.

L-R: Kingsley Magee, VFS UKVI account management team; Srinarayan Sankaran, chief operating officer – global operations, and head of UKVI account management team; Jonny Baxter, British deputy high commissioner in Lagos; Marc Owen, director for visa, status and information services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI); and Alok Singhal, head-Sub-Saharan Africa, VFS Global, at the inauguration of the newly opened UK Visa Application Centre in Ikeja on Wednesday.

“I’m delighted to be here in person as we celebrate this important moment together with our customers and partners.”

Jonny Baxter, British deputy high commissioner, said: “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.”

Alok Singhal, head sub-saharan Africa, VFS Global, said the company is excited to embark “on this new journey”.

“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,” Singhal said.

VFS Global will also provide VAS for the UK in 31 countries across Africa.

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Jonny Baxter, British deputy high commissioner in Lagos

The company said customers can now choose from an array of convenient options.

“These include document upload assistance, prime time for application submission outside of business hours, SMS notifications, document checking service, and courier return of the passport once a decision has been made,” VFS Global said.

“VFS Global’s Keep My Passport While Applying service allows customers to keep their passports once their application is submitted and biometrics have been enrolled.

“Customers will only need to re-submit their passport when a decision is reached.

“Customers in Abuja can also submit their UK visa applications from the comfort and safety of their home, office, or any other preferred location with our ‘On Demand Mobile Visa’ service.

“In addition, our Premium Lounge service offers personalised submission experience with dedicated staff members.”

Interested customers can make bookings in advance at https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/gbr or at the visa application centre.

VFS Global also said the services are completely optional and have no bearing on the processing timeline and visa application outcome.