By Mary Onyia
VFS Global has upgraded its visa application services in Lagos with the opening of a new Joint Visa Application Centre in Lekki to provide greater processing capacity and improve access for applicants.
The company said the facility, located at 2 Purple Way, off Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, has been operational since March 2, 2026, and provides visa application services for 15 countries from a centralized location.
The countries served at the new centre include Australia, Angola, Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Malta (long stay), Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Sweden.
According to the company, the relocation was undertaken to provide applicants with a more convenient and comfortable environment while maintaining security and operational standards.
Commenting on the relocation, the Regional Head for Central and West Africa at VFS Global, Prashant Kansara, said: “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 in recent years.
“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”.
Kansara added that the company is encouraging travellers to submit visa applications early, especially during busy travel periods.
“With international travel demand remaining strong, we encourage applicants to plan and submit their visa applications well in advance of their intended travel dates, particularly during peak holiday periods and student intake seasons.
“Applying early helps travellers better prepare for their journeys and contributes to a smoother application experience”, Kansara said.
VFS Global said the new centre features high security controls, ample parking space, and professional staff trained to provide secure and time-efficient processing of visa applications.
It added that the facility also houses five Premium Lounge facilities, including dedicated units for Canada, China, South Africa, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and select Schengen destinations, offering applicants a more personalized application experience.
The company said it has also strengthened fraud prevention measures through appointment verification processes, anti-fraud messaging across applicant touch points, and controlled access to its visa application centres.
Warning applicants against fraudulent practices, Kansara said appointment slots are released online based on demand forecasts and in coordination with the respective client governments’ capacity planning.
“Once an appointment has been scheduled, applicants are advised to arrive at the centre at least 15 minutes before their allotted time.
“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 that misuse company names, logos, websites, social media pages, or contact numbers to mislead customers.
“We encourage applicants to report any suspicious activity through the official VFS Global contact channels”.