As Nigeria continues to strengthen its position as Africa’s largest economy, VFS Global, a visa processing company, says the country will experience a surge in group travelling this year as more Nigerian group travellers leverage smart travel solutions.
The company is basing this observation on its 2025 applications, where it managed large-scale group bookings for Nigerian organisations and sports delegations travelling internationally, processing dozens of applications seamlessly through Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) and On-Demand Mobile Visa (ODMV), and Premium Application Centres (PACs) solutions.
According to the visa processing company, the demand for faster, safer, and more personalised visa application experiences is rising sharply- especially amongst group travellers. This growth has created a new wave of discerning Nigerian travellers seeking smart, secure, and bespoke experiences, which is a segment VFS Global is positioned to serve.
From sports teams and corporates to families and leisure groups, Nigerian travellers are increasingly choosing technology-enabled solutions that bring greater convenience and confidence to their journeys from the very first step – applying for their visa.
“Our mission is to ensure that every traveller’s journey begins smoothly, supported by technology, security, and trust,” Siddharth Mehra, the chief operating officer, Sub-Saharan Africa, VFS Global, stated.
Mehra added that as the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, VFS Global offers an extensive portfolio of smart visa application solutions in Nigeria to meet the growing demand for group travellers this year.
“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,” Mehra stated.
He disclosed that these solutions combine accessibility, premium comfort, and digital convenience for a smooth application, which allows applicants to complete their visa submission, including biometric enrollment, from the comfort and safety of their chosen location.
Mehra added that the new service is suitable for busy professionals, sports teams, film crews, students and families, allowing for application submission from home, office, or preferred venue that saves time. It offers attractive packages for families and groups, and strict adherence to WHO and local health guidelines.
He also disclosed that the VFS Global team processing applications at Premium Application Centres helps to bring UK visa services closer to residents in Enugu and Kano without the need to travel to Lagos or Abuja.
According to Mehra, these centres ensure comfort, privacy, and speed ideal for business travellers, delegations, and high-volume groups without having to spend extra to travel to Lagos or Abuja, where its UK centres are located.
“Applicants in Enugu, Kano, Ibadan and Port Harcourt can submit applications and biometrics in a premium, hotel-like environment with added services such as document scanning and upload support, real-time notifications, courier return of passports with optional services like Keep My Passport While Applying and Prime Time Appointments,” Mehra stated, adding that these services are completely optional and have no bearing on the processing timeline and outcomes of visa applications.
