The United Kingdom has resumed visa application services in Enugu and Port Harcourt, months after shutting down the centres in both cities, much to the relief of applicants in Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions.
The update was confirmed by the British High Commission and VFS Global, the firm managing UK visa services in Nigeria. The move restores access to regional centres for thousands of Nigerians who previously had to travel to Lagos or Abuja to apply for visas.
In November 2023, the UK had closed its visa application centres in Enugu and Port Harcourt after launching a major new facility in Lagos, calling it the largest UK visa centre in the world. At the time, all visa applicants were directed to use the Lagos or Abuja centres, which caused inconvenience and higher travel costs for many applicants living outside those cities.
Now, the reactivated Enugu and Port Harcourt centres are operating again — this time at new locations. In Enugu, the visa application centre is located at Omedel Luxury Hotel, while the Port Harcourt centre is hosted at Hotel Presidential.
“Residents of Enugu, Nigeria, can now enjoy a smooth UK visa process from the comfort of our Premium Application Centre at Omedel Luxury Hotel,” VFS Global announced on Wednesday.
The reopened centres were previously managed by TLScontact, another visa processing agency. With the new arrangement, applicants can now submit their biometric data, documents, and other requirements without having to travel far from their home states.
The reopening is expected to reduce pressure on facilities in Lagos and Abuja, while improving overall access for applicants in Nigeria’s eastern and southern regions.
Nigerians continue to apply in large numbers for UK visas, especially for education, tourism, business, and family visits. The UK remains one of the top destinations for Nigerian travellers, with student visas and skilled worker applications accounting for a significant portion of traffic.
While UK authorities have not officially stated the reason for reopening the regional centres, observers say it may be in response to public feedback, demand for improved access, and the need to decentralize services across Nigeria.
