UK visa applicants in Nigeria will soon experience significant changes as new management takes over the visa application centers (VACs). This transition aims to improve services and streamline processes, ensuring a more efficient application experience for Nigerians seeking UK visas.
The UK Embassy in Nigeria recently announced that VFS Global will start managing visa application centers (VACs) in Nigeria. The new supplier will assume control starting November 19, 2024. The change reflects the UK government’s commitment to enhancing visa application processing and meeting the growing demand for UK travel.
What applicants in Nigeria need to know
The transition introduces new locations and updated services for applicants in Nigeria. In particular, there will be three locations where applicants can submit and collect their UK visa applications. Specifically, three VACs will open in Lagos and Abuja, providing modern facilities designed to improve customer experience.
These centers will offer biometric collection, document submission, and other essential services. Additionally, these new locations aim to reduce travel time for applicants, making the process more accessible. Moreover, the new sites will be able to facilitate UK visa applications from all over the country.
Throughout the transition period, applicants may need to visit different centers. In addition, they will also receive notifications by e-mail containing instructions on how the transition affects their application.
“The supplier of our visa application centres in Nigeria is changing,” the UK embassy’s post read. “During this transition, some customers may submit and collect their documents from different locations. You will be contacted via email if this affects you.”
The following are the specific locations for the new VACs:
- Abuja: Mezzanine Floor, Tower C, Churchgate Plaza, Plot 473, Cadastral Zone AO, Constitution Avenue, Central Business District.
- Lagos (Ikeja): 2nd Floor, Ile Oja Opebi Mall, Opebi, Link Road.
- Lagos (Victoria Island): 2nd Floor, Churchgate Plaza Tower 2, PC 31 Churchgate St.
The former TLScontact VAC in Abuja, Lagos (Ikeja), Lagos (VI), Port Harcourt, and Enugu will close on December 13, 2024.
The UK embassy in Nigeria advises applicants to continuously monitor official platforms such as the VAC website for updates and guidance. Furthermore, the embassy has reassured applicants that it will minimize disruptions during the transition period.
Why the transition is happening
This change aligns with the UK government’s goal of improving efficiency in the visa application process. By introducing a new management team, the UK Embassy expects to deliver faster service and reduce processing times. The decision also highlights the importance of accommodating Nigeria’s growing number of UK visa applicants.
The new supplier hopes to implement innovative solutions that simplify procedures for applicants. Specifically, these upgrades include better digital tools and appointment scheduling systems. These aim to address common challenges that visa applicants face.
The UK embassy also advises applicants to plan ahead and confirm appointment details to avoid disruptions. They may book an appointment online before visiting any of the new visa application centers. The focus on digital transformation underscores the UK government’s efforts to modernize visa services globally.
Photo by Nupo Deyon Daniel on Unsplash
