South African embassy plans speedy processing of visa applications

THE South African High Commission in Nigeria and its visa outsourcing firm, VFS Global, are planning to speed up the processing of visa applications in the country with a view to serving and satisfying potential applicants better.

This was disclosed in Lagos over the weekend by the country High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. J.N. Kingsley Mamabolo, represented by his Counsellor, Immigration, Mrs. Tampane Molefe-Sefanyetso, and officials of VFS Global – Regional Head, Africa, Mr. Paul Vijaykumar and Deputy Head, Operations, West Africa, Mr. James Mathew.

According to Mamabolo, at a media briefing to mark the anniversary of new visa application process in Lagos and Abuja, a guide to visa application would soon be released to deal with challenges noticed in the current visa regime and to ensure that applicants were more enlightened on all requirements for visa applications and when they are in South Africa.  The plan would also ensure swifter and efficient processing of visa application.

On the anniversary of the current visa regime in the country, Mamabolo and VFS Global officials said: “There had been improvement on how applications are received and the environment that the applications are organised as well as how applicants are attended to in a professional, humane and respectable manner.”

The high commissioner said that apart from some manifest challenges, the new regime had eliminated the use of touts and agents by applicants, and had reduced corruption.

According to him, the two centres in Lagos and Abuja are providing one-stop-shop services to applicants and information is now readily available and executive lounges are provided for those who need urgent services.

The embassy which was taking an average of 50 to 60 applications per day before the new visa regime, is now receiving 200 to 250 on an off peak to about 250 to 350 on a peak season.

Since inception, he said, the high commission received 44,443 in Lagos and 16,618 in Abuja while about 34,692 and 15,973 were approved.

Also, 350 uncollected passports were returned to Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

They urged all visa applicants to always come forward to collect their passports after the mandatory six days.

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By Bola Olajuwon