The United Kingdom Government has launched new Premium Visa Application Centres by VFS Global in Enugu and Port Harcourt, allowing residents easier access to services.
The UK Home Office confirmed in a statement on Monday that the new centres, located at Omedel Luxury Hotel in Enugu and Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, aim to meet the growing demand for UK visas from Nigeria, especially ahead of the busy summer travel season.
These centres join the UK Visa Application Centres in Abuja, Ikeja, and Victoria Island, Lagos, which have been operational since November 2024.
According to the Home Office, Nigeria remains one of the top four countries globally for UK visit visa applications, accounting for six per cent of all applications.
Appointments can be scheduled online through the VFS Global website.
UK Minister of State at the Home Office, Rt. Hon. Lord Hanson highlighted the strategic importance of the new facilities.
“The government is pleased to be able to reopen the Premium Visa Application Centres in both Port Harcourt and Enugu,” he said.
“In 2024, we received more than 230,000 visa applications from Nigerian nationals across all visa routes, and these new premium application centres will provide greater convenience for applicants in and around Enugu and Rivers State, demonstrating the importance of the UK–Nigeria relationship.”
Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, Alok Singhal, reiterated that the new centres will help serve a broader customer base.
“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, Nigeria,” he said.
“Our customers will continue to enjoy the same comfort, convenience, and best-in-class services at these locations that they do at our Visa Application Centres in Abuja and Lagos.”
Premium applicants will have access to a range of additional services, such as help with document uploads, real-time notifications on their application status, passport retention while processing, and document courier delivery.