Are you a Cameroonian planning to apply for a UK visa? Then note that the UK has changed its Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Cameroon. The UK’s global network of VACs is managed by third party suppliers on behalf of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
Cameroonians wishing to travel to the UK will now book appointments to submit their visa applications through VFS Global Visa Application Centres (VAC) in Yaounde.
VFS Global has become the UK’s new supplier effective from December 9, 2024. It replaces TLScontact, current commercial partner that been handling visa applications for the UK in Cameroon since 2015. VFS Global has also changed its office site in Yaounde and it is now located at Immeuble Ekang, in front of the Yaounde Multipurpose Sports Complex.
The British High Commission in Cameroon announced the change on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 saying the visa application process remains unchanged albeit the transition.
The shift in the commercial partner is part of a transition in several locations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia that started in September this year.
“The opening of our new VAC in Cameroon marks an exciting milestone in the provision of a world-class UK visa operation, one which will provide important digital innovations and convenience to customers around the world,” said Marc Owen, Director for Visa, Status and Information Services within UKVI.
Other African countries in which the UK has also changed the supplier include Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The change, according to the UK government, is designed to ensure a smooth and efficient visa application process. In a November 22, 2024 statement, the government assured that the switch will not affect the customer’s visa application decision, processing times or prices.
“This change will improve our service for customers including on average shorter biometric and application submission times in the VAC,” the statement said.
VFS Global has been contracted by UK Visas and Immigration since 2003, offering visa services in 58 countries prior to the new contract. In 2023, VFS Global was awarded the new contract to provide UK visa services in 142 countries worldwide, according to a November 19, 2024 joint statement by the firm and UKVI.
