— More Convenience for Nigerian Travellers as Summer Travel Season Approaches
Nigerians planning to travel to the United Kingdom have more reason to celebrate this summer, as VFS Global has officially launched two new Premium Visa Application Centres in Port Harcourt and Enugu, significantly expanding access to UK visa services across the country.
Travellers can now book appointments via https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/gbr/ to submit visa applications and complete biometric enrolment at the newly opened centres located at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt and Omedel Luxury Hotel, Enugu.
This development is a major step toward decentralising visa application services, previously limited to Abuja, Ikeja (Lagos), and Victoria Island (Lagos)—centres that have been handling a growing influx of applicants since November 2024.
A Strategic Move to Meet Growing Demand
Nigeria continues to be one of the UK’s largest visa markets, ranking among the top four nationalities applying for UK visit visas and accounting for 6% of the global total. In 2024 alone, the UK Home Office received over 230,000 visa applications from Nigerian nationals across all visa categories—a clear indication of the country’s growing outbound travel demand.
Speaking on the expansion, Rt. Sir Hon. Lord David Hanson, Minister of State at the UK Home Office, expressed the British government’s commitment to improving access and strengthening diplomatic ties:
“The government is pleased to be able to reopen the Premium Visa Application Centres in both Port Harcourt and Enugu. These new centres provide greater convenience for applicants in and around Enugu and Rivers State, demonstrating the importance of the UK–Nigeria relationship in these markets as well as Nigeria as a whole.”
Enhancing the Customer Experience
Mr. Alok Singhal, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the customer-centric benefits of the expansion:
“We are pleased to open the additional, conveniently located touchpoints for our UK visa customers in the form of the recently opened Premium Application Centres in Enugu and Port Harcourt. This helps us cater to a larger number of travellers to the UK while offering the same comfort, convenience, and best-in-class services our customers enjoy in Abuja and Lagos.”
Applicants who use the premium centres will not only avoid long-distance travel but will also gain access to a suite of value-added services, including:
- Document upload assistance
- Real-time application status notifications
- Courier return of documents
- “Keep My Passport While Applying” service – allowing travellers to retain their passport after submission and only resubmit it once a decision is made.
These services are particularly vital for busy professionals, students, and families planning their summer travel, ensuring they can continue with daily activities without the stress of waiting for document processing.
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Location and Operational Details
The new UK Premium Application Centres are located at:
- Enugu: Ground Floor, Omedel Luxury Hotel, Link Road, Enugu
- Port Harcourt: Hall 1, First Floor, Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday)
Website for Booking: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/gbr/
About VFS Global
VFS Global is the trusted global leader in visa outsourcing and technology services. With operations in 158 countries, the company has processed more than 309 million applications since its inception in 2001. Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, and majority-owned by investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc., VFS Global has continued to revolutionize visa and consular services through ethical practices, digital innovation, and sustainability.
Currently serving 69 client governments, the organization provides secure and efficient management of non-judgmental administrative tasks related to visa, passport, and consular services, enabling client governments to focus on decision-making.
A Boost for UK–Nigeria Relations
This expansion of visa services comes at a time of growing cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom across multiple sectors, including education, trade, and migration. The move is expected to further enhance people-to-people ties, promote ease of travel, and boost economic, academic, and tourism exchanges.
With this strategic development, VFS Global and the UK Home Office reaffirm their shared commitment to inclusive access, regional convenience, and global mobility—ensuring that no traveller is left behind.
For more information or to book an appointment, visit:
https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/gbr/
