VFS Global has opened a new joint Visa Application Centre at Lekki, Lagos, which now enables it to process visa services for 15 countries from a centralised location.

The new centre is expected to effectively cater to the growing outbound travel from Nigeria.

VFS Global, which noted this yesterday during a media engagement, listed the destinations to include applicants going to Australia, Angola, Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Dubai (DVPC), and Germany.

Others are Ireland, Japan, Malta (long stay), Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Sweden.

VFS noted that the development comes at a time when outbound travel demand from Nigeria remains strong.
It noted that visa application volumes processed in Nigeria during the first half of 2026 remained at the same level as the corresponding period in 2025, following a robust 51 per cent increase in visa application volumes in 2025 compared to 2024.

Popular destinations including the UK, Canada and China continue to witness positive application trends from Nigerian travellers, while destinations such as Australia, Ireland and Schengen countries, including Sweden and Portugal, are also recording healthy demand.

VFS Global explained that the sustained growth is being driven by increasing demand for international travel across tourism, business and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segments, alongside continued interest in overseas education and greater forward planning by travellers.

According to it, the new Joint Visa Application Centre in Lekki has been designed to support this growing demand by providing greater capacity, enhanced applicant comfort and improved accessibility, while maintaining VFS Global’s high standards of security, service excellence and operational efficiency.

Commenting on the relocation of the application centres in Nigeria, Regional Head for Central & 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.

“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.”

VFS explained that with high security controls and ample parking space, the centre is managed by professional staff trained to provide secure and time-efficient processing of entry permit requirements in a friendly ambience to ensure the best customer experience. For applicants seeking a personalised application experience, the centre houses five Premium Lounge facilities, including dedicated units for Canada, China, South Africa, Japan, Saudi Arabia and select Schengen locations.

To further safeguard applicants, VFS Global has implemented a range of fraud-prevention measures, including appointment verification processes, anti-fraud messaging across applicant touchpoints and controlled access to Visa Application Centres.

As part of its applicant-awareness initiatives designed to help travellers identify and avoid fraudulent practices, Prashant added, “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.”