The British High Commissioner for Nigeria has announced the opening of additional British visa application centres in Enugu and Port Harcourt to improve access to Nigerian tourists over the summer.
According to a statement released in Abuja, the new site will allow visa applicants to submit documents, register locally with Biometric, and facilitate travel for the citizens of Enugu and Rivers.
The High Commissioner said the new Premium Application Centre will be managed by VFS Global, which already holds state-of-the-art facilities in Abuja and Victoria in Lagos.
These new locations aim to meet the increased demand for UK visas, especially during peak travel periods.
Hon. Lord David Hanson, Minister of State for the UK Home Office, said: “The government is pleased to be able to reopen Premium Visa Application Centres in both Port Harcourt and Enugu. In 2024, we received over 230,000 visa applications from Nigerian citizens through all visa routes.
Alok Singhal, head of sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, added that the new centre will provide the same high quality services offered by the existing centre.
“We are delighted to open these conveniently placed touchpoints, which will cater to more UK travelers from Nigeria,” he said.
Applicants using the Premium Application Center also have access to a variety of value-added services, including document upload assistance, real-time application status updates, and document courier delivery.
Travelers can book a “keep your passport while applying” service. This allows you to retain your passport after submitting your application and biometric authentication.
Since 2003, as a UK visa and immigration partner, VFS Global has provided visa services in 58 countries prior to the new agreement, and was awarded a contract in 2023 to provide UK visa services in 142 countries around the world.
