By Jimoh Babatunde
VFS Global has been given the global contract for all UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (VCAS ) centres worldwide, which is a significant development for international travellers.
In addition to the 58 countries it currently serves, the offshoring and technical services business will expand its offerings to 87 new nations.
With luxury for processing UK visa programs in Africa anticipated between Q3 and Q4 in 2024, Hariprasad Viswanathan, head of sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, announced plans to establish centres in 142 nations.
31 African countries are included in this growth, including Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, among others.
All British visa programs in Africa will be processed solely through VFS Global starting in the latter part of 2024, though the precise application time is still unknown.
Rishi Sunak, the prime minister of Great Britain, also announced a major increase in the cost of UK visas for applicants abroad. The cost adjustments, which go into effect on October 4, are meant to assist public sector wage increases in the wake of recent strikes.
The fee restructuring has an impact on several visa categories, with increases ranging from 15 % to 20 % on work visas, family routes, and student routes.
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