South African High Commission in Nigeria has formally announced agreement with a Lagos based firm, the VFS Global Services for outsourcing of visa application processes.

South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley J.N Mamabolo who made the disclosure during an official media briefing held at the Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, Thursday, also said that with effect from Friday, December 3, the consular office in Lagos will cease to attend to further visa applications.

“The South African High Commission has viewed the concerns of the Nigerian public (prospective travelers to the Republic of South Africa) in a serious light; particularly the matters relating to access to the Missions, (Abuja and Lagos) to lodge applications for visas.

“It is in this context that today (Thursday) we are announcing the agreement that the Ministry/Department of Home Affairs, (RSA) has signed with VFS Global services. The agreement relates to the outsourcing of the visa application process, this means that applicants for visas will, with effect from a date to be announced later during this briefing, submit their applications at the Visa Application Centers, VAC, in Lagos as well as Abuja,” the High Commissioner said.

According to Mamabolo, the final decision to move application matters away from the consular offices in Lagos and Abuja, came in the mounting criticisms leveled at the High Commissions by Nigerians daily frustrated by the slow and ineffective pace of work at the consular offices as well incessant cases of over-crowding, stampede and sharp practices by touts in collusion with consular staff.

The High Commissioner had late last month at a Media Road Show organized by South African Tourism (SAT), hinted at a possible outsourcing of the processes of acquiring visas by Nigerians and disclosed that the high commission would follow in the steps of some other embassies and high commissions in the country that have also toed the path of outsourcing to facilitate procurement of the travel document.

“We are considering outsourcing as other embassies and high commissions like the United Kingdom and others are doing, where if you are asked to come in five days time for your visa it would be ready in time,” he had hinted.

With the new development, Nigerian and other visa applicants will from December 14, lodge future visa applications at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) of the VFS Global Services located along 25, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. (Opposite the Southern Sun Hotel).

However, according to Mamabolo, the Diplomatic and Official Passport holders will continue to present their application at the High Commission, just as all applications for permits (study, work and medical) will also present their applications at the Mission.

The envoy also disclosed that a new fee regime will come into effect with the new processing arrangement which will see applicants paying a total of N17, 600 for each application that include; N8,600 for visa fee and N9,000 as service fee.

“The Visa Application Centers will be launched in two phases; namely Lagos, on December 14, 2010 and Abuja, on January 17, 2011. The consular office in Lagos will have the last contact with clients on December 3, 2010. This break will be for the office to ready itself for the swift processing/adjudication. This will also be the time to clear all uncollected passports so that we start on a clean slate,” said Mamabolo.

VFS Global Nigeria Country Manager Pranav Sinha assured prospective Nigerian travellers to South Africa of a convenient and conducive Visa Application Centres adding that well trained staffs have been put in place to provide professional advice to applicants.

He explained that the visa application centres are a one stop shop that will include a bank for visa fee payment to ensure all the processes of the visa application are done at one spot.

Pranav further stated that a VFS website which will be linked to the South African Home Affairs Department’s site is to be launched to provide full information concerning South Africa visa requirements.

In addition, a call centre and a tracking system are to be put in place to allow applicants track and receive information with regards to the status of their application.

Meanwhile, South Africa Tourism’s Regional Director Africa and Domestic, Mr. Phumi Dhlomo has applauded the move by the High commission to outsource the processes of visa applications; adding that the tourism marketing agency was pleased with the new development and the appointment of an independent visa processing firm, VFS Global Services.

“The tender appointment of VFS is a milestone in SA Tourism’s testament to SA Tourism’s plea of efficient and hassle-free visa applications for all Nigerians willing to travel, explore and experience South Africa’s leisure tourism offering.

“This is a welcomed, bold step in offering our esteemed Nigerian traveler to experience South Africa’s leisure tourism offering. It means well to our valued business and leisure traveler,” said Dhlomo.

Continuing, Dhlomo said: “SA Tourism’s plea for efficient and hassle-free VISA application coupled with its reaffirmed commitment to the Nigerian market is further assured of a continuous increase in tourists’ arrivals in South Africa from Nigeria beyond the projected number.”

He therefore described the development as ‘a further indication of the thriving brotherly relationship between South Africa and Nigeria as well as a robust partnership for the good of both countries.’

Also present at the High Commission’s media briefing in Lagos were: Mrs. Tampane Molefe-Sefanyetso, the Councilor Immigration and Civic Services at the High Commission; Mr. Pranav Sinha, Country Manager for VFS Global Services and Mr. Paul Waniko, also of the VFS Global Services
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