On Wednesday, the United Kingdom unveiled its largest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Africa, located in Ikeja, Lagos. This new centre, operated by VFS Global, marks a significant upgrade to visa application services for Nigerians traveling to the UK.
According to a statement from the British High Commission in Lagos, the Ikeja facility, which began operations on November 19, joins existing centres in Abuja and Victoria Island. It is designed to streamline the visa submission process and offer a smoother experience for applicants.
The British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, attended the launch, emphasizing the importance of UK-Nigeria relations. He expressed confidence that the new centre would enhance the services provided to Nigerian visa applicants.
“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 continues to improve services for those applying for UK visas,” Baxter said.
Marc Owen, Director of Visa, Status and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration, called the opening a major milestone in offering world-class visa services. He highlighted that over 225,000 UK visa applications from Nigerian nationals were processed between June 2023 and June 2024, underscoring the growing demand for UK visas.
“The opening of this new VAC in Ikeja represents a major step forward for UKVI and VFS Global in providing top-tier UK visa services in Nigeria and across Africa,” Owen noted. “In the year to June 2024, we processed over 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories, and this new partnership demonstrates our commitment to making visa services more accessible and efficient.”
The new centre also introduces several 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 access the Mobile Visa Service for applications, while the Premium Lounge offers a personalized experience with dedicated staff.
These added services are designed to make the visa application process more convenient for applicants without affecting processing times or outcomes.
The UK remains a top destination for Nigerian travelers, who account for 5% of all global UK visit visa applications. The new Ikeja facility further underscores the UK’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for visa services while ensuring accessibility and efficiency.
VFS Global, a trusted partner of UK Visas and Immigration since 2003, has expanded its operations from 58 to 142 countries, solidifying its role in managing global visa services.
