Lagos, Nigeria – On Wednesday, the United Kingdom inaugurated its largest Visa Application Centre in Africa, strategically located in Ikeja, Lagos. This centre, managed by VFS Global, signifies a major advancement in visa application processes for Nigerians intending to travel to the UK.
The announcement was made by the British High Commission in Lagos. Complementing existing centres in Abuja and Victoria Island, Lagos, which have been operational since November 19, the Ikeja facility aims to facilitate smoother visa submissions and enhance the overall applicant experience.
During the launch, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter highlighted the significance of the UK-Nigeria partnership and expressed hope that the new centre would offer enhanced services to visa applicants. “I am thrilled to witness the opening of this largest visa application centre in Africa. Nigeria is one of the UK’s crucial partners, and we trust that VFS will deliver continually improving services for those seeking to obtain UK visas,” Baxter stated.
Marc Owen, the Director of Visa, Status and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration, termed the launch a landmark achievement in providing top-notch visa services. Owen revealed that the UK processed over 225,000 visa applications from Nigerian citizens in the year leading up to June 2024, which underscores the increasing interest in traveling to the UK.
“The inauguration of our new VAC in Ikeja is a significant milestone for UKVI and VFS Global in their mission to provide world-class UK visa services in Nigeria and across Africa. In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 visa applications from Nigerian nationals in various categories. This new partnership exemplifies our ongoing dedication to making visa services accessible and efficient, catering to the needs of all applicants,” he remarked.
The newly established centre introduces a variety of improved services, such as assistance with document uploads, extended submission hours, SMS notifications, courier delivery of passports, and a choice for applicants to keep their passports post-biometric enrolment. Residents in Abuja can now apply from locations of their choice thanks to the Mobile Visa Service, while a Premium Lounge option provides a tailored experience with personalized staff assistance.
These added services are designed to improve convenience for applicants without hindering processing times or outcomes.
The UK continues to be a preferred destination for Nigerians, who represent five percent of all global UK visit visa applications. The establishment of the new facility reflects the UK’s commitment to addressing this demand while ensuring effective and accessible visa services. VFS Global, a longstanding partner of UK Visas and Immigration since 2003, has recently expanded its operations from 58 to 142 countries, further strengthening its position in managing visa services globally.
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