Discovery launches exclusive UK visa services in South Africa, featuring a first-of-its-kind visa centre
Johannesburg, 17 February 2026 – The United Kingdom is the most popular international holiday destination for Vitality Travellers, with over 16,000 members and their families travelling on discounted flights between South Africa and the UK in 2025. Today, Discovery announced a pioneering new service to simplify the UK visa application process for clients.South Africa’s first dedicated visa application centre, in partnership with VFS Global, is located in the Discovery Store at 1 Discovery Place in Sandton, Johannesburg.In addition to Discovery’s international flight discounts of up to 75% with Vitality Travel, as well as the Smart ID and passport services, this exclusive new service will make travelling to the UK even more convenient and rewarding.Vitality Travel is Discovery’s integrated travel booking platform that gives members access to exclusive, market‑leading discounts on flights, accommodation and car hire, along with seamless booking, automatic travel insurance and premium airport experiences - all unlocked through healthy behaviours and smart financial decisions.A seamless, integrated client experienceHylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery Bank, highlights the unique value of integrating this service into the bank’s ecosystem: “This partnership is another step in realising our vision of making banking and travel seamless. The Discovery Store, a physical representation of the Discovery brand, is already a one-stop destination where clients can apply for an ID or passport, complete health assessments and manage their financial needs. “Now, by integrating a dedicated UK visa application centre right here, we are creating a truly integrated and convenient hub for our clients. It’s about bringing essential services together in one place, saving them time and simplifying their journey,” he says.Mr. Siddharth Mehra, Chief Operating Officer - Middle East, Africa, Türkiye and Azerbaijan, VFS Global, added, “We are delighted to partner with Discovery to launch South Africa’s first dedicated UK visa application centre within the Discovery Store in Sandton. This innovative collaboration brings together two organisations focused on enhancing customer experience, delivering a more seamless, accessible and premium way for applicants to submit their UK visa applications, while maintaining the highest standards of security, efficiency and service excellence.”Two tiers of convenienceFor all Discovery Bank clients: exclusive visa application centreClients gain complimentary, exclusive access to the appointment-only visa application centre at 1 Discovery Place in Sandton. This centrally located facility offers shorter wait times and a bespoke service environment for document submission and biometric enrolment.For Discovery Bank Purple Suite clients: a premium at-home serviceDiscovery Bank Purple clients enjoy discounted, premium benefits, including access to the On-Demand Mobile Visa (ODMV) service. Dedicated Purple Travel Consultants will help Purple clients schedule an appointment in the comfort of their home or office in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban or Pretoria. During the appointment, VFS Global will process their visa application, enroll biometrics, as well as collect their passport in a comfortable, central location.To use the service, Discovery Bank clients must complete the visa application form on www.gov.uk. Once they’ve received a reference number, clients can book an appointment to visit the visa centre through Vitality Travel:
Log in to the Vitality Travel booking platform from their laptop or desktop computer.
Select "New Visa Support Appointment" at the top of the page.
Select "Book your appointment" and complete the form to schedule an appointment with VFS Global at 1 Discovery Place.
VFS Global and Discovery provide administrative support only and do not influence visa processing timelines or decisions. All applications are assessed and determined by UK Visas & Immigration.Bookings are by appointment only and walk-ins won’t be accommodated. For more information on eligibility and detailed terms and conditions, visit here.ENDS
