The United Kingdom has launched its largest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Africa, situated in Ikeja, Lagos. The centre, operated by VFS Global, represents a major step in improving visa application services for Nigerians wishing to travel to the UK.
This announcement was made by the British High Commission in Lagos on Wednesday. In addition to the new Ikeja centre, there are also operational VACs in Abuja and Victoria Island, Lagos, which have been running since November 19. The Ikeja facility is designed to streamline the visa submission process, offering applicants a more efficient and seamless experience.
British Deputy High Commissioner to Lagos, Jonny Baxter, attended the opening ceremony and highlighted the significance of the UK-Nigeria relationship. He expressed hope that the new centre would further enhance visa services for Nigerian travellers.
“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 delivers ever-improving services for those applying for visas to the UK,” Baxter said.
Marc Owen, Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), described the opening as a key milestone in providing world-class visa services. Owen highlighted that over 225,000 UK visa applications from Nigerian nationals were processed in the year leading up to June 2024, reflecting the high demand for UK travel.
“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 and across Africa,” Owen said. “In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories. This new partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient, and meet the needs of all applicants.”
The new Ikeja centre introduces several enhanced services, such as document upload assistance, extended submission hours, SMS updates, passport courier returns, and the option for applicants to retain their passports after biometric enrolment. Additionally, Abuja residents can submit applications via the Mobile Visa Service, and there is now a Premium Lounge offering a personalised experience with dedicated staff.
These additional services aim to provide greater convenience for applicants without affecting processing times or outcomes.
