VFS Global Opens Lekki Visa Centre to Ease Access for Nigerian Travellers

VFS Global has expanded its visa application services in Nigeria with the opening of a new Joint Visa Application Centre in Lekki, Lagos, aimed at improving access for travellers and responding to sustained demand for outbound international travel.

The new facility, located at Purple Mall, Lekki Phase 1, complements the company’s existing Visa Application Centre in Ikeja and provides visa application services for multiple destination countries from a single location.

Countries served at the centre include Australia, Angola, Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, as well as Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) services and long-stay visa applications for Malta.

The company said the spacious centre, which has been operational since March 2, 2026, was designed to increase processing capacity while providing applicants with a more convenient and comfortable environment.

Speaking during a media engagement in Lagos, VFS Global’s Regional Head for Central and West Africa, Prashant Kansara, said the relocation reflects the company’s commitment to improving customer experience as international travel demand from Nigeria continues to grow.

According to him, the Lekki centre offers applicants, particularly residents and professionals on Lagos Island and surrounding communities, another convenient option for submitting visa applications without relying solely on the Ikeja office.

“The opening of the Lekki centre reflects our continued commitment to making visa application services more accessible while maintaining the security and operational standards expected by our client governments,” Kansara said.

He disclosed that visa application volumes processed by VFS Global in Nigeria during the first half of 2026 remained at the same level as the corresponding period in 2025, following a 51 per cent increase recorded in 2025 compared to 2024.

Kansara attributed the sustained demand to increasing international travel for tourism, business, visiting friends and relatives, overseas education and better travel planning by Nigerian applicants.

He urged intending travellers to submit their visa applications well ahead of their planned travel dates, particularly during peak holiday seasons and student admission periods, to ensure smoother processing.

The company’s Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East and Africa, Siddharth Mehra, reiterated that VFS Global’s role is limited to providing administrative support throughout the visa application process.

Mehra explained that all visa decisions remain the exclusive responsibility of the respective embassies and consulates, stressing that VFS Global neither assesses visa applications nor influences their outcome.

“Our responsibility is to provide secure, efficient and transparent administrative services that support both our client governments and visa applicants throughout the application journey,” he said.

He also clarified that the company’s optional value-added services are provided solely for applicants seeking additional convenience and have no impact on visa processing timelines or approval decisions.

To protect applicants from fraud, VFS Global said it has strengthened appointment verification systems, anti-fraud awareness campaigns and controlled access to its visa application centres. The company warned applicants against dealing with agents or third parties claiming they can secure earlier appointments, faster processing or guaranteed visa approvals.

Applicants were advised to use only official VFS Global channels for visa information and appointment bookings and to arrive at the application centre at least 15 minutes before their scheduled appointments.

The Lekki facility also features high-security standards, ample parking and five Premium Lounge facilities dedicated to countries including Canada, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and selected Schengen destinations for applicants seeking personalised services.

VFS Global said it has been providing visa, passport and consular support services on behalf of 22 governments in Nigeria since 2007. The company currently operates 39 application centres across six Nigerian cities and employs more than 220 Nigerians.

The company also disclosed plans to further expand its presence with the opening of additional visa application centres in Benin and Kaduna as demand for outbound travel from Nigeria continues to rise.