FGN Releases Guidelines for Visa Revalidation and Migrant Travels As The Nigerian Airspace Reopens

Tuesday, September 08, 2020 / 10:40AM / Deloitte /Header Image Credit: @FAAN_Official

Following the resumption of internationalflights in Nigeria, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has issued thefollowing guidelines for visa revalidation and migrant travels affected by thesuspension of international flights and closure of airspace:

All migrants in Nigeria, whose Permit expiredbetween 23 March 2020 to 05 September 2020, upon presentation of confirmedreturn tickets, will be granted a free extension to enable them to depart thecountry on, or before 15 September 2020.

All migrants in Nigeria, whose Permit or Visitors' pass expired before 23 March 2020 will pay overstay penalty for the number ofdays stayed before the suspension of international flights and border closure,which commenced on 23 March 2020.

All resident migrants whose residence permitsexpired, while outside the country from 23 March 2020 shall be allowed entryinto Nigeria with the expired permit on or before 25 September 2020. Thesereturning migrants are to renew their residence permit within thirty (30) daysof their arrival in Nigeria to avoid sanctions under the relevant Immigration laws.

All migrants who processed payments for Visa onArrival (VoA) and other categories of visas from the Nigerian Missions before23 March 2020 are to apply for revalidation. This should be done by sending acopy of the previous payments to [email protected], not later than 15 September 2020.

All migrants who obtained VoA pre-approval Lettersand other categories of visas from the Nigerian Missions before 23 March 2020,whose approvals/visas expired before 05 September 2020, are to also apply forrevalidation. The revalidation process requires that copies of the expiredpre-approval letters/visas be sent to [email protected], not later than 15 September 2020. These categories of migrants willnot be required to make fresh payments.

VoA and e-Visa payment portals have been activatedto enable intending migrants to Nigeria process entry visas as from 05September 2020.

Migrants who have obtained Temporary Work Permit(TWP) approval addressed to Missions that are closed for visa issuance shouldsubmit a complaint through [email protected]. The NIS, upon receipt of the complaint, will revert with appropriateoptions for visa issuance.

All intending passengers are required to registervia a Nigerian International Travel Portal online accessed through https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng/onboarding/guidelines.

While on the portal, passengers are required tocomplete the 'Health Declaration/Self-Reporting' form, upload COVID-19Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test conducted in the country of departure andmake payment for a repeat PCR test to be done upon arrival in Nigeria, with theoptions of where and when to carry out the test.

The clarification provided by the guidelines isindeed very useful to mobility managers and intending travellers. Strict adherenceto the guidelines will prevent circumstances that may warrant deportation.

Credit:

This post first appeared on the Deloitte Blog HERE