We outlined the
procedure for application of visa for entrance to Nigeria, types of visa permit
available and the requirements necessary for applications
TYPES OF VISA/ENTRY
PERMIT
The
knowledge of the various types of visa/entry permit is of crucial importance
both to the applicant and to the company or organisation sponsoring him/her.
This is because in the Nigerian visa system, the type that is given is tied to
the purpose for which the journey is intended and any variation of the visa
with the purpose of journey will render such a visa inappropriate for entry,
leading to either a refusal of landing or deportation, in the case of a
foreigner already in the country.
There are
three main types of visa, viz.
(1) Ordinary
Visa
(2) Diplomatic
Visa
(3) Gratis
Courtesy Visa
The Ordinary Visa is
further divided as follows:
(a) Transit
(b) Single
journey
(c) Multiple
journeys
ORDINARY VISA
Transit
This type of
visa is issued to applicants who wish to pass through Nigeria to a further
destination. It may be obtained at a Nigerian mission and is given for a period
not exceeding seven (7)
days without reference to the Comptroller-General of
Immigration.
An applicant
seeking this type of visa must be in possession of an express approval (visa or
any form of permission) to enter a specified third country, as well as a
confirmed ticket or sufficient funds to pay for any means of transportation
appropriate to reach that country. A transit visa may also be given at the port
of entry on the specific approval of the Comptroller-General of Immigration. A
transit pass is normally issued whether in the former or latter case, and it
takes the form of an endorsement by rubber stamp on the passport of the
applicant, which shall contain particulars of the port of entry, the date of
entry and the period the person is permitted to remain in Nigeria in transit.
Single Journey Visa
This is
valid for a single entry into Nigeria and may be issued as:
- Short
Visit Visa;
- STR
Visa (Subject To Regularisation for Residence Work Permit);
- T.W.P
(Temporary Work Permit)
The Short Visit
Visa
This type of
single journey visa is issued to applicants who require a single entry to
Nigeria for the purpose of tourism, to see places of interest, or visit friends
and/or relations resident in Nigeria. It is also issued to applicants who wish
to visit Nigeria for business or meeting. This visa is also issued at a
Nigerian mission abroad without reference to the Comptroller-General of
Immigration provided that, the applicant who fills Form (1MM 22), is in
possession of a return air ticket to and from Nigeria or an onward ticket for a
further destination, together with a visa or any other acceptable form of
permission to enter that country. In case a passenger arrives at the port of
entry without a return ticket or onward ticket to a further destination but is
otherwise found to be admissible, he/she may be required to deposit the
appropriate amount for the purchase of such ticket as may be necessary to
enable him/her return to his/her country of domicile, or proceed to a further
destination.
STR Visa (Subject
to Regularisation)
This is the type
of visa required by foreigners seeking to take up employment in Nigeria.
Section 8, sub-section 1, of the Immigration Act provides that “no person, not
being a citizen of Nigeria, may take up employment in Nigeria other than
employment with the federal or state government without the consent of the
Comptroller-General of Immigration”. Section 33 of the Act further provides
that an application must be made to the Comptroller-General by the prospective
employer, in writing, confirming that he/she has a vacancy on the expatriate
quota and at the same time stating the position in which prospective employee
is to be employed and confirming acceptance of immigration responsibility”.
The employer
company applies to the Nigerian embassy or consular office in the country where
such intending employee/applicant resides, requesting that he (and his
accompanying spouse/ fiancée/children, if applicable) be granted STR Visa
(subject to regularisation for residence work permit) when he arrives in
Nigeria. In such application, the employer company undertakes to assume
immigration and other responsibilities for the employee (and his accompanying
spouse/ fiancée/children, if applicable) in Nigeria.
The STR Visa
is issued at Nigerian mission without reference to the Comptroller-General of
Immigration provided that the applicant presents specified documents. STR visa
is normally given for 90 days without reference, during which an application
must be made to the Comptroller-General of Immigration, to regularise the stay
of the prospective employee, and the person may assume his employment only when
such application is approved and a
RESIDENCE WORK PERMIT granted.
RESIDENCE WORK PERMIT granted.
Registration of
Aliens
Having
undergone the various legal formalities for residency status, all foreigners
are expected to register their presence at the immigration offices closest to
their places of residence or occupation. It should be noted that for this
purpose, all the state immigration offices are representatives of the
Comptroller-General of Immigration and application for regulation should be
made to them, which they would refer accordingly, for approval to issue the
residence permit.
Temporary Work
Permit (T.W.P)
Companies
and organisations wishing to engage the services of expatriates for short
period assignments are required to apply direct to the Comptroller-General in
Abuja for visa/entry permits for such expatriates. This is the temporary work
permit visa and it is not issued without reference to the Comptroller-General
of Immigration. If such applications are submitted at the Nigerian missions
abroad, they must be referred to the Comptroller-General of Immigration for
approval. The temporary assignments, which are eligible for such approval,
include:
§ erection/installation
work;
§ feasibility
studies;
§ repairs of machinery/equipment;
§ auditing of
accounts;
§ research
work, and such other assignments as may fall into this category.
The visa is
normally approved by cablegram sent through NITEL offices in Nigeria to the
Mission from where it would be issued. The cost of the transmission is borne by
the company/ organisation applying for the facility. The T.W.P Visa is given
for a period not exceeding 3 months and may be extended for a further period,
upon application to the Comptroller-General of Immigration who will determine
the desirability of such an extension.
Multiple Journey
Visa
This type of
visa is normally issued without reference to the Comptroller- General of
Immigration by the Nigerian missions abroad for a period not exceeding 12
months, and may be for a specified number of journeys within the period
granted.
It is
normally given mostly to non-resident directors of Nigerian based companies and
other foreign businessmen and women for the purpose of attending meetings and
for other frequent visits to pursue business arrangements, or make
consultations regarding investment projects.
Both the
single and multiple journey visas are also given in Nigeria to employees of
companies/ organisations whose stay have been duly regularised, in order to
enable then return to their employment whenever they travel out either for
business or holidays. This is called return or re-entry visa. Applications for
this must be made personally by the employee in Nigeria and not from outside the
country. The application must be supported by the employer confirming that the
employee is returning to his job, and reaffirming acceptance of Immigration
responsibility on behalf of the applicant, as well as showing proof of the
continued availability of the expatriate quota position to be occupied.
GRATIS COURTESY
VISA
This
type of visa is normally issued to persons who do not qualify for diplomatic
visa, but who are foreign government officials traveling on official business.
It may be granted in cases where it is considered undesirable to accede to an
application for a diplomatic visa, but where it is desirable on grounds of
international courtesy to facilitate a journey.
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