The announcement of
the Visa on Arrival policy last December by President Muhammadu Buhari at the
Aswan Forum, in Egypt, was greeted with loads of condemnation from some
quarters, largely due to misconception, and, perhaps, mischief.
Chief among the
allegations was that it was a ploy to import more killers into the country
under official cover, and that foreigners would come to take available job
opportunities meant for Nigerians.
With the official
launch of the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2020 by President Buhari on Tuesday,
here are some salient points to note:
-A greater part of
2019 was devoted to conceiving and enunciating the policy, with retreats,
conferences and engagements with stakeholders by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
These held in August, October, and December, in Lagos, Benin, and Abuja,
respectively. It was, therefore, not a hasty decision.
-NVP 2020 is a
global visa system, and there is biometrics linked to online applications for
each applicant. Chances of criminals beating the system are negligible.
Biometrics is to be conducted at port of entry.
-Visa on Arrival to
be issued only at airports, not at land borders.
-There are three
categories of visas: short visit, temporary, and permanent residence.
-From the previous
six, there are now 79 classes of visa.
-There is Visa for
Diaspora Nigerians by birth, with dual citizenship.
-Visa on Arrival is
only for short visits, and there is little chance that visitors will come in to
take jobs which should have been for Nigerians.
-The system is
automated. No cash transaction, so the chances of corruption are reduced.
-NVP is part of a
wider reform ‘NIS Border Strategy, 2019-2023.’
-It holds immense
economic benefits for the country. As President Buhari said; “The Nigeria Visa
Policy 2020 is intended to attract innovation, specialized skills and knowledge
from abroad to complement locally available ones…it will support the
attainment of a globally competitive economy for Nigeria by building on the
efforts of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council. The policy
is expected to improve the business environment, attract Foreign Direct
Investment and boost tourism without compromising national security.”
