Residents seeking visas to the United Kingdom can now submit applications from Entebbe following the expansion of services by VFS Global.
The company announced that Ugandan applicants are now able to book appointments at its Premium Application Centre in Entebbe, in response to growing outbound travel demand.
The new facility complements the existing Visa Application Centre located at Lugogo House in Kampala, which has been operational since October 2024.
According to Adin Jaisinghani, Regional Head for East and South Africa, the expansion is intended to improve accessibility and convenience for applicants.
“We are pleased to expand access to UK visa services in Uganda through our Premium Application Centre in Entebbe,” he said, noting that applicants will no longer need to travel to Kampala to submit documents and enrol biometrics.
The introduction of the Entebbe centre reflects a broader effort to decentralise visa application services and reduce logistical challenges for travellers.
Applicants at the facility will have access to additional support services, including document upload assistance and application status notifications, aimed at simplifying the process.
While similar services remain available at the Kampala centre, the Entebbe facility is expected to particularly benefit applicants living closer to the city and surrounding areas.
VFS Global has provided services to UK Visas and Immigration since 2003 and has steadily expanded its international footprint.
In 2023, the company secured a contract to deliver UK visa services across 142 countries, up from 58 countries previously.
It currently operates more than 4,000 application centres in 167 countries and has processed over 537 million applications since 2001.
The company handles administrative aspects of visa applications, including document collection and biometric enrolment, while final decisions remain the responsibility of government authorities.
Industry observers say such outsourcing models are increasingly used by governments to improve efficiency and manage growing application volumes.
Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, VFS Global is majority owned by Blackstone, with minority stakes held by the Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation, Temasek, and Dubai Holding.
For Ugandan travellers, the additional centre is expected to ease access to visa services, particularly for those outside Kampala.
However, analysts note that while accessibility improves geographically, affordability and awareness of services will remain key factors in determining uptake.
