UK Opens Africa’s Largest Visa Application Centre in Lagos

The United Kingdom has inaugurated its largest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Africa, located in Lagos, Nigeria. This state-of-the-art facility, operated by VFS Global, is designed to enhance visa application services for Nigerian residents wishing to travel to the UK.

In addition to the new Ikeja Centre in Lagos, VFS Global also began operations at VACs in Abuja and Victoria Island, Lagos on November 19.

At the official launch in Ikeja on Wednesday, British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, emphasized the importance of the new centre. He said, “I am delighted to witness the opening of the largest visa application centre in Africa. Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most significant partners, and we hope that VFS delivers continually improving services for those applying for UK visas.”

The launch of the facility reflects the UK’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its relationship with Nigeria, one of its key partners in Africa.

Marc Owen, Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), described the opening of the Ikeja Centre as a key milestone. “This new VAC in Ikeja marks an exciting moment for UKVI and VFS Global in delivering world-class UK visa services here in Nigeria and across Africa,” he said. “In the year leading up to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals in various categories, and this partnership highlights our commitment to making our visa services accessible, efficient, and responsive to applicants’ needs.”

Nigeria represents 5% of the global total for UK visit visas, making it one of the largest sources of UK-bound travelers in Africa.

Alok Singhal, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, expressed enthusiasm for the expanded partnership. “We are excited to begin this new chapter with UK Visas and Immigration in Nigeria. Our long-standing partnership since 2003 has been a success, and we are eager to provide Nigeria’s travelers with the best-in-class services,” he said.

The new VACs offer several optional services aimed at improving convenience for customers. These include document upload assistance, Prime Time appointments outside regular hours, SMS notifications, and the ability to have passports returned via courier. Additionally, VFS Global’s “Keep My Passport While Applying” service allows applicants to retain their passports after submitting applications and biometrics, only needing to resubmit them when a decision is made.

In Abuja, applicants can also take advantage of the ‘On Demand Mobile Visa’ service, enabling them to complete applications from home or office. For a more premium experience, the VACs offer a personalized submission service through their Premium Lounge, with dedicated staff to assist.

According to the British High Commission, these services do not affect the processing time or the outcome of visa applications.

VFS Global, which has been providing visa services for UK Visas and Immigration since 2003, has significantly expanded its reach. The company now operates in 142 countries, up from 58 previously. Across Africa, VFS Global runs UK Visa Application Centres in 31 countries.

The new Lagos facility is expected to greatly enhance the visa application experience for Nigerian travelers, reinforcing the UK’s status as a top destination for people across Africa.