Visa on arrival: FG guarantees short-stay approval within 24 hours

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunde Ojo, has assured investors that online Visa Application will be attended to within 24 hours and the approval for the E-Visa sent to the mail of the traveller.

Tunde-Ojo said this in a meeting with the Director General, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu when she visited him to get an update on the status of the Visa-On-Arrival (VOA) policy.

According to the minister, maximum waiting time for any Visa-On-Arrival application by any foreign and inbound traveller would not exceed 48 hours for response.

This was contained in a press statement personally signed by the Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu.

The Minister said the measure was to cut off inefficiencies, earlier noted with the process and provide seamless documentation for the travellers.

He said the government did not scrap the Visa-on-Arrival policy but seek to improve on the process and build travellers’ confidence in the country while the Federal government maintains control of inbound travelers to Nigeria.

The statement reads in part: “The Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, met with the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunde-Ojo, to discuss the Visa on Arrival (VOA) process. The meeting aimed to address concerns and clarify the government’s stance on the VOA initiative.

“During the meeting, the Minister of Interior reassured the DG that the Visa on Arrival process is not being scrapped, but rather upgraded to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

“This development is in line with PEBEC’s efforts to simplify procedures and reduce bureaucratic constraints to doing business in Nigeria.

“The Minister further clarified that travellers will be able to apply online for short-stay visas, with approvals being granted within 24 or 48 hours. Once approved, the visa will be sent to the applicant’s e-mail, eliminating the need for a physical sticker upon arrival.

“This upgrade builds upon the existing online approval system, streamlining the process and enabling travellers to receive their approvals ahead of time.

“This enhanced system aims to cut out inefficiencies, allowing Nigeria to better automate and control the inflow of travellers, with this upgrade, the country takes another step towards improving its business environment and attracting foreign investment,” the statement signed by the Director General of PEBEC said.

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