UK Commences Same Day, 5-day Visa Services in Nigeria

The British High Commission in Nigeria has started special visa services that ensures visa applicants can get their visa on the same day or within five days of application. The High Commission has also reduced the maximum turnaround time for all classes of visa application to 15 days.
Visa Services
British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, declared that with the improved visa services, the United Kingdom remains steadfast in her resolve to sustain the age-long relationships with Nigeria as well as provide support for Nigerians, especially by keeping her doors open to law abiding citizens.
According to the High Commissioner,
“In 2016, around 140,000 Nigerians applied for visas to the UK. Of those that applied for student visas, 90% were successful. For those that applied for other visas, around 70% were successful. There are as many as 250,000 Nigerian nationals or dual Nigerian-British nationals living in the UK at the moment. Some claim the total Nigerian Diaspora in the UK is well over a million. We want Nigerians to come to the UK. They come to do business, to study, to see family and to invest in our economy.
 
We have introduced a same day visa service – at a cost – for visas in Nigeria. We have also introduced a service that can mean you get a visa within 5 days, at a lower cost than the same day process. Our turnaround time for all other visas is 15 days. The key thing, however, is that all visitors to the UK – whether they are from Nigeria or anywhere else – must respect the law and the length of time their visa says they can stay in the UK.”
In respect to Nigeria’s role in the world, Paul Arkwright predicted,
“By 2050, Nigeria will be the third biggest country in the world as it will overtake the USA to join China and India as the three biggest countries. Secondly, Lagos – Africa’s fifth largest economy in 2016 – will become more important in the coming years as the African example of how to break down barriers to doing business and bring in foreign investment.”

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Launches Online Visa on Arrival Platform

According to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, a liberalised online Visa on Arrival (VOA) facility to the public, especially foreign investors willing to invest in Nigeria has been launched.

Mr. Babandede said the measure was part of the resolution of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) aimed at attracting foreign investors to 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. This is to ensure that all genuine requests for Visa on Arrival facility from any part of the world are processed and issued within 48 hours (two working days),” he said.

He explained that the‎ online VOA application and processing facility is a product of robust visa reforms regime intended to bring Nigeria in tandem with global best practices and attract Foreign Direct Investors and skilled professionals into the country.

The controller-general said the new process was‎ designed to eliminate all unnecessary bureaucratic visa processing procedures in Nigerian Missions abroad.

He said it was also to serve the interests of would-be visitors from countries where Nigeria does not have a Mission.‎

He said that‎ ‎a dedicated e-mail address oa@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng had been deployed where visa applicants, their representatives or companies could forward their requests and details.

Mr. Babandede said that‎ a‎pplicants were advised to use functional e-mail addresses where copies of approval letter shall be forwarded upon a successful process and payment.‎

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

He said that a VOA desk had been opened at all international airports in the country where visas would be issued upon the presentation of all the necessary travel documents and evidence of visa payment.

The NIS boss expressed optimism that the VOA process and the introduction of the harmonised arrival and departure cards would go a long way in attracting investors to the country.

Nigeria Approves Visa on Arrival for Business Purposes

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved visa on arrival, to all countries coming into Nigeria to do business, as way of boosting the country’s bilateral relationship with other nations.

Visa on Arrival

According to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu  Enelamah stated that government has imposed 48 hours rule to Nigerian Mission on visa issuance to ensure that people coming into Nigeria to do business get easy pass.