The United Kingdom has opened new premium visa application centres in two southern Nigerian cities, in a move authorities say will ease access for thousands of prospective travellers amid a sharp rise in demand.
The centres, located at the Omedel Luxury Hotel in Enugu and Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, were formally launched this week by VFS Global, the UK’s visa processing partner. They will serve applicants seeking entry to the UK for work, study, and tourism, especially ahead of the busy summer travel season.
The UK Home Office said the decision to expand services beyond the existing locations in Abuja and Lagos reflects the country’s strategic interest in deepening ties with Nigeria.
“Nigeria is one of our most important international partners, and the demand for UK visas continues to grow,” said Rt. Hon. Lord Hanson, UK Minister of State at the Home Office. “These new centres will make the application process more accessible to Nigerians in the southeast and south-south regions.”
The UK received more than 230,000 visa applications from Nigerians in 2024, according to government figures, placing Nigeria among the top four countries globally for visit visa submissions. The UK government has not disclosed how many of those were approved.
The expansion also highlights the role Nigeria plays in the UK’s post-Brexit immigration strategy, as London seeks to strengthen economic and cultural links with countries across the Global South.
Applicants using the new premium centres will have access to enhanced services, including passport retention, document upload support, real-time status updates, and secure courier return of processed documents.
Alok Singhal, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, said the new sites will “bring convenience and consistency” to the visa process for Nigerians living outside the country’s commercial hubs.
VFS Global has managed visa processing for the UK since 2003 and was awarded a global contract in 2023 to handle operations in 142 countries. The company claims to have processed more than 309 million applications through its 3,500-plus centres worldwide.
Critics of the UK visa system, however, have long raised concerns over high application fees and inconsistent approval rates for African applicants—issues that have drawn criticism from rights groups and policy analysts.
Despite such concerns, demand continues to rise. Many Nigerians, particularly young professionals and students, see the UK as a desirable destination amid mounting domestic economic and security challenges.
Appointments at all UK visa centres in Nigeria, including the new locations, can be scheduled online via the VFS Global websit
