United Kingdom (UK) visa services in Sub-Saharan Africa are now available through VFS Global UK visa customers can now choose from a range of optional services, depending on their location, offered by VFS Global to provide enhanced comfort and convenience JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 5, 2024/APO Group/ -- Residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles, travelling to the UK can now book appointments to submit their visa applications through VFS Global’s (www.VFSGlobal.com) new state-of-the-art Visa Application Centres.   Effective 22 October 2024, customers applying for a UK visa will be directed to VFS Global to book an appointment to complete their visa application. Customers will also have the option to choose additional services designed to make the application process easier. Mr Marc Owen, Director for Visa, Status and Information Services at UKVI, said: “The opening of our new Visa Application Centres mark an exciting milestone in the provision of a world-class UK visa service. We're committed to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient, and meet the needs of all applicants.” Commenting on the launch of the new Centres, Mr. Alok Singhal, Head- Sub-Saharan Africa, VFS Global, said, “We are excited to embark on this new journey with UK Visas and Immigration here across Sub-Saharan Africa. We have enjoyed a long-standing partnership with UK Visas and Immigration since 2003 and look forward to now bringing travellers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles our best-in-class services.” UK visa customers can now choose from a range of optional services, depending on their location, offered by VFS Global to provide enhanced comfort and convenience. These include document upload assistance, Prime Time for application submission outside of business hours, SMS notifications, document checking service, and courier return of the passport once a decision has been made. VFS Global’s Keep My Passport While Applying service allows customers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, Madagascar, and Mauritius to keep their passports once their application is submitted and biometrics have been enrolled. Customer will only need to re-submit their passport when a decision is reached. The services can be booked in advance on www.VFSGlobal.com or at the Visa Application Centre at the time of the appointment. These services are completely optional and have no bearing on the processing timeline and outcomes of visa applications. As a partner to the UK Visas and Immigration since 2003, VFS Global offered visa services in 58 countries before the new contract and has now been awarded the contract to provide UK visa services in 142 countries worldwide. In the African region, VFS Global will provide Visa Application Centres for the UK in 31 countries, from October 2024.

UK Visa Application Centres

Democratic Republic of Congo: 1st Floor. Office no 104, kiyo Ya Sita Building ,364 boulevard du 30 juin, Gombe, Kinshasa
Cote D’Ivoire: Rue des Carrossiers, Treichville zone 3,Centre commercial HLM, 1er étage, Abidjan
Gabon: Radisson Blu Okoume Palace Hotel, 5 Boulevard de Nice, Libreville
Gambia: 2nd Floor, Plot 948, Brusubi Phase 1, Bertil harding Highway, Banjul
Madagascar: Novotel Convention & Spa (TEL), 101 Antananarivo
Mauritius: Madeleine House, Third Floor, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Drive, Port Louis
Seychelles: Eden Bleu Hotel (TEL), Eden Island, Seychelles, Eden Bridge NA

Democratic Republic of Congo
Website: https://apo-opa.co/3YOiisO Business hours*: 8 AM to 5 PM (Mon, Wed & Fri)

Cote D’Ivoire
Website: https://apo-opa.co/3YMxAhz Business hours*: 8 AM to 5 PM (Tuesdays only)

Gabon
Website: https://apo-opa.co/4fxcPfy Business hours*: 8 AM to 5 PM (Once a month)

Gambia 
Website: https://apo-opa.co/3AtNzb4 Business hours*: 8 AM to 5 PM (Mon, Tues & Thur)

Madagascar
Website: https://apo-opa.co/3CcNbyc Business hours*: 8 AM to 5 PM (Fortnightly))

Mauritius 
Website: https://apo-opa.co/40vwCrc Business hours*: 8 AM to 5 PM (Tuesdays & Thursdays)

Seychelles 
Website: https://apo-opa.co/3Arvr1q Business hours*: 8 AM to 5 PM (Seasonal)

*Except public holidays

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VFS Global.Media Contact: George Cherian georgec@vfsglobal.com communications@vfsglobal.com About VFS Global: As the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment. With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 69 client governments.  Operating over 3,400 Application Centres in 153 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 297 million applications since 2001. Headquartered in Zurich and majority owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, along with the Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, VFS Global is committed to creating value for all stakeholders and leading in responsible, innovative solutions making government services more effective and efficient.