By Faith Adama
The United Kingdom (UK) has unveiled its largest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Africa, situated in Ikeja, Lagos, as part of a broader effort to streamline visa processing services for Nigerian travelers.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, emphasizes Nigeria’s key role as a partner to the UK, offering enhanced accessibility and convenience for those seeking to travel to Britain.
The new centre, operated in partnership with VFS Global, is designed to simplify the application process.
It joins other UK VACs in Abuja and Victoria Island, Lagos, significantly expanding the UK’s presence in Nigeria.
These centres provide applicants the flexibility to schedule appointments and submit their visa applications with ease.
British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter, expressed the UK’s continued commitment to improving visa services for Nigerian nationals.
“We hope that VFS Global will deliver ever-improving services to applicants,” he said at the launch event.
Mr. Marc Owen, Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), noted that more than 225,000 UK visas were processed for Nigerian nationals in the year to June 2024.
He emphasized that this new facility marks a significant step in making visa services more accessible, efficient, and tailored to applicants’ needs.
In addition to the new Ikeja centre, VFS Global will manage UK VACs in 31 African countries, including Nigeria, and offer enhanced services such as premium document uploads, after-hours application submissions, SMS notifications, and courier passport returns.
In Abuja, an on-demand mobile visa service allows applicants to submit their documents from the comfort of their homes or offices, further adding convenience to the process.
The UK’s expansion of its visa services in Nigeria underscores a growing commitment to fostering bilateral relations while ensuring a seamless travel experience for Nigerians.
