By Kemo Cham
The world’s largest visa and passport outsourcing company, VFS Global, has opened its first office in Sierra Leone.
Starting this November (2024), Sierra Leonean residents seeking UK entry visa will have to apply through VFS Global, both the company and the UK Visas and Immigration department announced last week.
VFS is taking over the UK visa processing contract from TLScontact, which has been providing the service here in Sierra Leone.
TLScontact also announced that it is closing its office in the country in December, by which time it is expected to complete transferring the visa application process to VFS.
Sierra Leonean residents seeking visa for travel to UK have had to apply through TLScontact, after completing a form on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. But as of November 19, 2024, applicants trying to complete the visa application form will be directed to the VFS Global site to make an appointment to submit their biometrics.
VFS said its presence in Sierra Leone is part of its expansion in Africa.
The UK government uses third party companies to process visa applications in many countries. VFS Global was first contracted by the UK since 2003, offering visa services for it in 58 countries. The new contract between the company and the UK government will see the number of countries increased to 142 countries, including Sierra Leone and 13 other African countries.
“We are excited to embark on this new journey with UK Visas and Immigration across Sub-Saharan Africa,” Alok Singhal, VFS Global’s Head of Sub-Saharan Africa office, said in a statement issued on November 20th.
“This is the first-ever centre opened by VFS Global in Sierra Leone to effectively meet the growing demand for outbound travel from residents, offering convenience and ease of application submission,” VFS Global Spokesperson said in an email response to ManoReporters.
Prior to this development, residents of Sierra Leone have been using limited VFS services in-country, including applying for an e-visa for Equatorial Guinea and Suriname using its online e-visa portal.
The company said in its press statement that the new VFS center in Freetown, which is located on the 3rd Floor of the Aberdeen Complex at 58 Sir Samuel Lewis Road in Aberdeen, will be operated by Sierra Leonean nationals.
UK visa applicants will have the option to choose from various services designed to provide enhanced comfort and convenience at an extra cost, the company said. These include a service that allows an applicant to hold onto their passport after submitting their application and biometric details. The applicant will be required to submit their passport if the visa is approved for issuance.
There is also the Premium Lounge, which offers a personalised submission experience with dedicated staff members.
Prime Time service allows for submission of application outside of business hours.
Other services to be provided by VFS Global in Sierra Leone include document upload assistance, notification services, document checking service, and courier return of a passport once a decision has been made.
VFS says it plans to open more centers in the country as part of its ongoing expansion drive on the continent.
“As we expand our presence in the African region through the recent global contracts like UKVI, we expect more Centres servicing local nationals to open in Sierra Leone,” the company said in its email response to ManoReporters.
This development will come as a huge relief for Sierra Leoneans who travel to especially European countries that outsources their visa application processing to VFS Global.
Sierra Leonean residents have had to travel to countries like Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria to submit their visa applications, depending on the location of the accredited embassies. This has led to a lot of discomfort, besides the high cost involved with traveling and accommodation in those countries.
