While Nigeria’s land borders remain closed, the Federal Government announced a few weeks back that it will roll out a new Visa on Arrival Application Process for all Business Travelers and African Union Countries, a move in support of Nigeria’s commitment to “free movement of Africans within Africa”. Before now, applicants for visa to Nigeria often need to make a request in their country of origin, and it will be issued when they arrive in the West African state, but the new development took effect from January 1, allowing citizens of all African states to board a plane to Nigeria and get a visa on arrival.
The change in visa policy by Nigeria comes on back of the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, a treaty seeking to establish a continent-wide marketplace with increased trade and freer movement among its major pillars – Quartz reports.
A research from the African Development Bank (AfDB) shows that Africans need visas to travel to just under half (49%) of other African countries. They could get visas on arrival in just over a quarter (26%) of states and did not need visas in a quarter (25%) of countries.
For as long as we can remember, the African Union (AU) has been pushing for a single passport for all African nationals so that they can travel across the continent without requiring visas. It even unveiled an AU passport in 2016, issuing it to heads of state and diplomats. However, no country has as yet given it to ordinary citizens.
It is important to note that Nigeria’s Visa-on-Arrival is not a ‘just show up & pay for a visa at a port of entry’ process. You will obtain the VoA at a Nigerian port of entry but you need to have paid an applied online and received approval pre-travel.
Before applying you need to have the following:
- Valid Passport with minimum of six months validity
- Valid return ticket
- Address in Nigeria or Hotel Reservation
- Payment card (online payments only)
- Minimum of 72 hours (3 working days) pre-travel
Application is processed and confirmation letter will be sent via email within 2 working days. On arrival at the port, you’ll proceed for biometric enrollment and visa issuance.
Application Portal: http://portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/freshVisa
For more info, visit: https://immigration.gov.ng/voa-new/
