New UK visa service lets Nigerians retain passports while applications are reviewed

…as UK opens visa application centers in Port Harcourt, Enugu

Nigerians applying for UK visas can now hold on to their passports throughout most of the application process, thanks to the newly introduced “Keep My Passport While Applying” service by VFS Global.

The service, designed to offer greater flexibility and convenience, allows applicants to retain their passports after submitting their documents and biometrics, only returning them when a visa decision has been made.

This is just as the United Kingdom has opened new Premium Visa Application Centres in Port Harcourt and Enugu, in a bid to ease visa application process for Nigerian travellers.

The centres, operated by VFS Global, are designed to offer greater accessibility and convenience for residents of the South-South and South-East regions planning trips to the UK, especially ahead of the busy summer travel season.

A statement by the British High Commission on Monday, noted that to meet the growing demand during the summer travel season, VFS Global has officially launched two new UK Premium Visa Application Centres in Nigeria, one at Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt and another at Omedel Luxury Hotel in Enugu.

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The announcement comes as part of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and convenience for travellers heading to the UK.

It also noted that residents can now book appointments at these centres through the official website https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/gbr/.

“These new locations add to the already existing state-of-the-art centres in Abuja, Ikeja, and Victoria Island in Lagos, which have been operational since November 2024.

“The UK continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for African travellers, with Nigeria ranking among the top four countries by volume for UK visit visas.

“In 2024 alone, the UK received more than 230,000 visa applications from Nigerian nationals across all categories—accounting for approximately 6% of the global total”, the statement reads.

Speaking on the development, Lord David Hanson, Minister of State at the UK Home Office, said, “The government is pleased to be able to reopen the Premium Visa Application Centres in both Port Harcourt and Enugu.

“These centres provide greater convenience for applicants in and around Enugu and Rivers State and reinforce the importance of the UK–Nigeria relationship.”

VFS Global, the outsourced visa services provider, says the new centres are designed to deliver the same premium experience as those in Lagos and Abuja.

Alok Singhal, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, noted that the expansion enables them to reach a larger number of UK-bound travellers.

“Our customers will continue to enjoy the same comfort, convenience, and best-in-class services at these new locations,” he said.

Applicants visiting the new centres can also take advantage of various value-added services, including assistance with document uploads, real-time application status updates, and courier delivery of returned documents.

According to the statement, VFS Global has been a trusted partner to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) since 2003, initially offering visa services in 58 countries.

It also stated that the new centres in Port Harcourt and Enugu will significantly ease the visa process for residents of southeastern and south-south Nigeria, especially during the busy travel months ahead.