Visa Services Upgrade for Nigerian Groups

Visa outsourcing firm VFS Global has expanded its technology-enabled visa application services in Nigeria as increasing numbers of group and individual travellers seek faster, more flexible submission options across the country.

The company, which handles visa and consular operations for 69 governments worldwide, said the expansion is driven by rising demand from sports teams, corporate groups, families and leisure travellers who increasingly require coordinated and convenient booking systems.

Siddharth Mehra, VFS Global’s Chief Operating Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa, said the company had strengthened its offerings to ensure smoother application experiences for Nigerians regardless of their location. He noted that the goal is to provide a process “supported by technology, security and trust,” especially as travel activity continues to grow.

One of the services gaining the most traction is the Visa At Your Doorstep system — also known as On-Demand Mobile Visa for UK applications — which allows applicants to complete documentation and biometrics from any preferred location. Corporate teams, sports clubs and student groups have used the service for synchronized submissions. Remo Stars FC, which recently processed a group booking through the system, described it as seamless and well-coordinated, praising the support extended to players during the process.

Beyond mobile submissions, VFS Global has widened its physical footprint with new Premium Application Centres in Enugu, Kano, Ibadan and Port Harcourt, adding to its hubs in Lagos and Abuja. These centres were introduced to ease long travel burdens and congested booking schedules while offering quieter, more private environments. Applicants can access optional services such as document-scanning assistance, real-time application updates, courier passport return, and the “Keep My Passport While Applying” option frequently used by travellers with urgent commitments.

The company has also rolled out extended-hours appointments — including evenings and weekends — through its Prime Time booking option, alongside Premium Lounge access for applicants seeking personalised submissions.

According to VFS Global, all services now operate under its Live Identity Processing technology, which is designed to enhance biometric accuracy and strengthen data protection.

The firm says group bookings from Nigerian organisations have risen in recent months, with travellers combining mobile submissions and premium-centre visits to shorten processing time and avoid delays. The company’s broader expansion comes as visa demand spreads beyond Lagos and Abuja, prompting a shift towards decentralised and technology-supported processing.

VFS Global, which has processed more than 514 million applications since 2001, says its Nigerian upgrades are aimed at making visa submissions more accessible, organised and reliable for the country’s growing travel population.