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Visas to the United Kingdom are now set to be printed in Kenya following the launch of the upgraded TLSContact Visa Application Centre in Nairobi. This follows an announcement by the UK Visas and Immigration’s (UKVI) Head of Visit Visas and International Network Dominique Hardy who was on a working visit to Kenya.

Hardy who spoke during a press conference also announced that the visa service is back within normal customer service standards of 15 working days.  She visited Nairobi as part of a wider regional trip where to meet with government officials, members of the business community and colleagues at the British High Commission.

“It’s a delight to visit the country and see a much bigger and improved Visa Application Center which will benefit all of customers. This reflects the huge opportunity to see more people to people linked to the UK and Kenya,” Hardy said.  

Speaking at the event, British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott (pictured) said the return to in-country printing in Nairobi was a mark of respect and demonstrates commitment to the Kenya-UK strategic partnership. “Our people form a key part of that partnership and I’m delighted we are able to offer an improved visa service in Kenya,” she said.  

Regional hub

For a long time, Marriott said, printing of Visas in Pretoria resulted in delays when it came to processing due to the flights and couriers but now the Visas will be printed in Kenya.  “This will not only benefit the 40,000 Kenyans but entire East Africa region. Yet again Kenya is living up to its reputation in being a hub and a leader within the region,” she explained. 

Nearly 40,000 Kenyans visit the UK each year and most of those are processed through these centres and currently, the Visa demands have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. 

There are currently between 160,000 and 200,000 Kenyans living in the UK while 30,000 Britons live permanently in Kenya. 

The fact that Visa was printed in Pretoria South Africa and then shipped back to Kenya meant that getting a UK Visa had been a lengthy process that resulted in backlogs. 

Other challenges for Africans in getting the UK Visa has been biasness against Africans.