Daniels Nwokike, The Sight News
Abuja-The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has on Thursday announced the introduction of liberalised online Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility to the general public especially the Business Community.
The VoA application and processing facility is a product of exhaustive and robust visa reforms regime intended to bring Nigeria at par with global best practices in the facilitation of entry and exit of high net worth Foreign Direct Investors and skilled professionals into the Country and in line with Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
Disclosing these in a statement signed by the Service PRO, Mr Sunday James, the Comptroller General of Immigration Service Muhammed Babandede said that the liberalised automation of VoA as a prelude to the visa application and processing services at all entry points will ensure that all genuine requests for VoA facility from any part of the World are processed and issued within 48 hours (2 working days).
According to him; “For Companies who have not documented their businesses earlier, such Companies are expected to submit all documents for registration in the Office of Comptroller General of Immigrations before commencing Visa on Arrival(VoA) procedure by email.
“These are procedures to follow for obtaining Visa on Arrival(VoA): Guide to company- Applicant/Representative/Company already registered with NIS shall forward request through email stating the following to voa@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng; Name of Applicant; Passport Number of Applicant; Nationality; Purpose of Visit; Proposed Port of Entry; Flight Itinerary; Address in Nigeria or Hotel Reservation” he said.
The CGI further said that a copy of Passport Data page and a copy of Airline Return Ticket Reservation are to be attached in PDF format, not exceeding one (1) megabyte.
Babandede also noted that after approval, a letter will be forwarded to the applicant(s) email with a copy sent to the Airline stated in the applicant(s) application and the Immigration Port of Entry adding that the request shall also be processed and approval issued within 48hours (2 working days).
He advised the foreign travelers to fill their application form with their correct details and make online payment at https://portal.immigration.gov.ng adding that online payment can also be made at Port of arrival subject to presentation of Visa on Arrival Approval Letter, a Master Card, a Visa card and American Express Card are also accepted.
The CGI emphasized that successful online payment is not an approval and urged Nigerians to ensure that their Business Partner(s) do not proceed to Nigeria until they have received Visa on Arrival Approval Letter issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja.
He said; “Upon arrival at the Port of Entry, travelers are to proceed to the desk marked ‘Visa on Arrival’ for issuance of entry Visa to present their approval letter, National Travel Documents and evidence of payment to the desk Officer for issuance of Visa”.
1 Comment
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