VFS Global has expanded its UK visa application services in Kenya with the launch of Premium Application Centres in Eldoret and Mombasa, marking a significant shift in how visa services are accessed outside the capital.
The move allows Kenyan applicants to submit visa applications and complete biometric enrolment closer to home, eliminating the need to travel to Nairobi, where the primary visa application centre has been based.
The new facilities come as demand for outbound travel to the United Kingdom continues to grow, driven by education, business, tourism, and diaspora connections.
Expanding Access Beyond Nairobi
Until recently, most Kenyan applicants seeking UK visas were required to travel to Nairobi to submit documents and biometrics. The addition of centres in Eldoret and Mombasa decentralises access and is expected to reduce travel costs and logistical barriers for applicants in western and coastal regions.
The new centres complement the existing Visa Application Centre in Nairobi, which has been operational since October 2024.
In a statement, Adin Jaisinghani, Regional Head for East and South Africa at VFS Global, said the expansion is designed to improve convenience and accessibility for Kenyan applicants.
“We are pleased to expand access to UK visa services in Kenya through our Premium Application Centres in Eldoret and Mombasa, providing customers the convenience of applying closer to home,” he said.
“Residents no longer need to travel to Nairobi to submit their visa applications and enrol biometrics while enjoying the same comfort, convenience, and best-in-class service in these cities.”
Responding to Growing Travel Demand
The expansion reflects a broader trend of increasing outbound travel from Kenya to the United Kingdom, particularly for education, skilled migration, and business travel.
Industry data has shown steady growth in visa applications to the UK from East Africa, with Kenya serving as a key regional hub.
By extending services to additional cities, VFS Global aims to capture this growing demand while reducing congestion at the Nairobi centre.
The company noted that the move aligns with its regional strategy to expand service reach across Africa and improve customer experience through decentralised service delivery.
Premium and Standard Service Options
The Mombasa centre will operate under a hybrid model, offering both standard and premium services depending on the day of the week.
- Standard Visa Application Centre services will be available every Tuesday
- Premium Application Centre services will be offered every Friday
This structure allows applicants to choose between basic processing and enhanced service options.
Premium applicants will have access to additional support services, including:
- Document upload assistance
- Application status notifications
- Courier return of processed documents
These services are designed to streamline the application process and reduce the administrative burden on applicants.
Strategic Locations
The new centres are located in key commercial hubs to maximise accessibility.
In Eldoret, the Premium Application Centre is situated at Eka Hotel within Rupa’s Mall along Uganda Road, a major transit and business corridor in western Kenya.
In Mombasa, the centre is located in Kizingo along Dedan Kimathi Avenue, a central business district area that hosts government offices, financial institutions, and corporate headquarters.
Both centres operate between 8 AM and 3 PM, offering structured appointment-based services.
Role in UK Visa Processing Ecosystem
VFS Global operates as an outsourcing partner for governments, handling administrative aspects of visa applications, including document collection and biometric enrolment.
Final visa decisions remain the responsibility of UK Visas and Immigration, the UK government department responsible for immigration control.
VFS Global has partnered with UK Visas and Immigration since 2003 and has steadily expanded its footprint over the years.
In 2023, the company secured a global contract to provide UK visa services in 142 countries, up from 58 countries under its previous mandate.
Business and Economic Implications
The expansion of visa application centres in Kenya has broader implications for travel, trade, and services sectors.
For airlines, travel agencies, and education consultants, easier access to visa processing could support increased demand for UK-bound travel.
Regional economies such as Eldoret and Mombasa may also benefit from the localisation of services, which reduces the need for intercity travel and retains spending within local markets.
Additionally, decentralised visa processing can improve efficiency and turnaround times by distributing application volumes more evenly across multiple centres.
From a policy perspective, the expansion reflects ongoing collaboration between private service providers and foreign governments to modernise visa processing systems and improve service delivery.
Global Footprint of VFS Global
Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, VFS Global is a major global provider of visa and consular services.
The company works with more than 70 client governments and operates over 4,000 application centres in 167 countries.
Since its establishment in 2001, VFS Global has processed more than 533 million applications, reflecting its scale in handling global mobility services.
The company is majority owned by Blackstone, one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers, alongside minority shareholders including the Switzerland-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation, Singapore’s Temasek, and Dubai Holdings.
Outlook
With outbound travel from Kenya expected to remain strong, the expansion of visa processing infrastructure is likely to continue.
For applicants, the introduction of centres in Eldoret and Mombasa represents a shift towards more accessible and decentralised services.
For VFS Global, the move strengthens its presence in East Africa while positioning the company to handle rising demand for international mobility services.
