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Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, said on Thursday the NIS has launched a Visa on Arrival (VoA) system as a class of short visit visa issued at the port of entry. Babandede said the VoA is part of measures taken by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to attract foreign investment into the country.

“‎As a critical member of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the NIS has automated its visa application and processing services at all entry points…to ensure that all genuine requests for Visa on Arrival facility from any part of the world, are processed and issued within 48 hours,” he said.

Babandede said the portal is designed to meet the need of urgent business travels, as well as eliminate needless bureaucratic procedures in Nigerian missions and embassies around the world. He also said the VoA will serve prospective visitors who reside in countries without Nigerian embassies.

The class of individuals eligible for VoA, include frequently travelled business persons of international repute; executives of multi-national companies, members of government delegations; holders of United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS laissez-lasser; and holders of any other official travel documents of other recognized international organizations who intend to visit Nigeria.

“‎Applicants are, however, to note that successful payment online is not an approval and should not proceed to Nigeria until they have received “Visa on Arrival Approval letter” duly issued by the NIS Headquarters, Abuja,” Babandede advised.

He further disclosed the establishment of VoA desks for the issuance of visas at all international airports in Nigeria. He expressed confidence in the new process, saying the introduction of harmonised arrival and departure cards would enhance the attraction of investors to the country.
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