New visa policy introduced

Introduction
Visa-free and exempt countries
Visa categories

Introduction

On 4 January 2020 President Muhammadu Buhari introduced the Nigeria Visa Policy 2020. According to the president, the policy is intended to attract innovation, specialised skills and knowledge to complement and improve the country's local capacity in order to support the attainment of a globally competitive economy and reflect international best practices.

The policy is an upward review of the previous visa policy issued in 2012. It introduces three visa categories and their respective visa codes, expanding the number of visa classes from six to 79, and provides for countries that are visa exempt.

The policy also introduces the electronic visa (e-visa) in addition to visas obtained via the previous application processes (eg, at embassies or visa application centres or on arrival). E-visas can be obtained via an online application process and are subject to pre-approval before arriving in Nigeria.

This article provides a summary of the various visa categories.(1)

Visa-free and exempt countries

The policy states that individuals from the following member states and countries do not require a visa to enter Nigeria:

• Economic Community of West African States member states (F1A);
• Visa Abolition Agreement countries (F1B);
• Visa Waiver for International Organisations members (F1C); and
• Reciprocity Visa Waiver Agreement countries (F1D).

Visa categories

The following visa categories cover countries that are not visa-free or exempt states:

• short-visit visas (SVVs);
• temporary residence visas (TRVs); and
• permanent residence visas (PRVs).

SVVs apply to individuals who intend to travel to Nigeria for a period not exceeding three months to visit or perform a specific purpose. SVVs are divided into 24 classes under the policy.(2)

TRVs apply to individuals who intend to reside in Nigeria to take up employment for a period not exceeding two years. TRVs are divided into 36 classes under the policy.(3)

PRVs apply to specific individuals who intend to reside in Nigeria permanently. PRVs are divided into 15 classes under the policy.(4)

For further information on this topic please contact Adekunle Obebe at Bloomfield Law by telephone (+234 1 454 2130) or email (kunleobebe@bloomfield-law.com). The Bloomfield Law website can be accessed at www.bloomfield-law.com.

Endnotes

(1) As at 12 February 2020.

(2) The 24 classes of SVV are discussed here.

(3) The 36 classes of TRV are discussed here.

(4) The 15 classes of PRV are discussed here.