VFS opens new Visa application hub in Lekki with expanded premium lounges

To accommodate the sustained surge in outbound travel from Nigeria, global visa outsourcing giant VFS Global has officially relocated its Joint Visa Application Centre in Lagos to a larger, state-of-the-art facility in Lekki.

The new centre, situated at 2 Purple Way, off Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, is designed to upgrade applicant comfort, expand handling capacity, and streamline processing efficiency for Nigerians travelling to multiple global destinations.

The relocated hub will handle visa applications for a broad range of countries, including Australia, Angola, Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, and Dubai (DVPC).

Additional Destinations include Germany, Ireland, Japan, Malta (long stay), Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Sweden.

The move comes on the heels of impressive growth figures. Visa application volumes processed by VFS Global in Nigeria during the first half of 2026 maintained the record-high levels set during the corresponding period in 2025—a period that saw a dramatic 51% year-on-year surge compared to 2024.

Traditional high-volume destinations like the UK, Canada, and China continue to lead application trends, while demand for Australia, Ireland, and Schengen states—particularly Sweden and Portugal—remains robust.

According to VFS Global, this sustained momentum is driven by a mix of leisure travel, business trips, visiting friends and relatives (VFR), alongside steady outbound student traffic.

To deliver a superior customer experience, the new Lekki facility features enhanced security controls, ample parking, and professionally trained staff.

For travellers seeking an upgraded experience, the centre boasts five Premium Lounges, featuring dedicated units for Canada, China, South Africa, Japan, Saudi Arabia and select Schengen countries.

Speaking on the operational upgrade, Mr Prashant Kansara, Regional Head for Central & West Africa at VFS Global, highlighted the company’s commitment to meeting Nigeria’s travel demand:

“The relocation of our Joint Visa Application Centre to a more spacious and convenient location in Lekki, Lagos is a testament to our ability to cater effectively to the growing demand for outbound travel and visa services from Nigeria. The new centre offers enhanced capacity and a superior customer experience, enabling us to support travellers more efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of service and security.”

With peak travel and student intake seasons fast approaching, Kansara advised applicants to submit their files well ahead of time:

“With international travel demand remaining strong, we encourage applicants to plan and submit their visa applications well in advance of their intended travel dates.”

Addressing recurring issues around visa scams and fraudulent agents, Kansara firmly warned applicants against third-party intermediaries:

“We strongly urge applicants to use only official VFS Global channels for visa information and appointment bookings. No agent, intermediary, employee or third party can guarantee an earlier appointment, faster processing, or a positive visa outcome in exchange for payment. Applicants should be cautious of fraudulent entities misusing company names, logos, or contact numbers.”

Since commencing operations in Nigeria in 2007, VFS Global has served as a trusted partner to 22 client governments.

Today, the organisation operates an extensive network of 39 Application Centres across 6 Nigerian cities, employing over 220 Nigerian nationals.

Wole Shadare