By Jimoh Babatunde

VFS Global has a range of technology-driven travel solutions in place to enhance the visa application experience for Nigerian group travellers.

This comes as Nigeria strengthens its position as Africa’s largest economy and a major travel hub, with increasing demand for faster, secure and more convenient visa services, particularly for corporate groups, sports teams, families and leisure travellers.

These solutions by the worlds largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for government and diplomatic missions VFS Global, are designed to support the growing volume of outbound travel from Nigeria, especially for large groups requiring coordinated and efficient visa processing.

“Our mission is to ensure that every traveller’s journey begins smoothly, supported by technology, security, and trust,” said Mr. Siddharth Mehra, Chief Operating Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global. “By expanding our suite of smart services in Nigeria, we’re enabling travellers whether individuals or groups to enjoy a world-class visa experience that’s flexible, accessible, and reliable.”

Mobile and On-Site Solutions Central to these offerings is the Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) service, also known as On-Demand Mobile Visa (ODMV) for UK applications. This service allows applicants to complete the entire submission process, including biometric enrollment, from their home, office, or any preferred venue.

The mobile solution has become a preferred choice for high-profile groups. Recently, the Official Spokesperson for Remo Stars FC, a Nigerian Premier Football League team, commended the service following a group booking. “The entire process was seamless and efficiently managed, and the staff ensured that everything went smoothly for our players. We truly value the professionalism and hospitality shown,” the spokesperson stated.

Expanding Regional Access To reduce the need for long-distance travel to major hubs like Lagos and Abuja, VFS Global has operationalized Premium Application Centres (PACs) in Enugu, Kano, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt. These centers provide a high-end, hotel-like environment for UK visa applicants, offering services such as document scanning, real-time notifications, and “Keep My Passport While Applying” options.

Enhanced Personalization and Flexibility For those seeking a higher level of privacy, the Premium Lounge service provides a dedicated staff-led experience. Furthermore, VFS Global has introduced Prime Time Appointments, allowing submissions during evenings and weekends to accommodate busy professional schedules.

Behind these consumer-facing services is the Live Identity Processing (LIDPro) technology, which ensures biometric accuracy and secure data handling critical factors for maintaining reliability during large-scale group applications. Additionally, Form Filling Assistance is available to help applicants minimize errors that could lead to processing delays.

Following a successful year in 2025, where it managed numerous large-scale group bookings for Nigerian organizations and sports delegations, VFS Global remains positioned to lead the evolution of travel logistics in Nigeria through 2026 and beyond.