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The NVP 2020 is to increase ease of doing business, boost tourism, and attract foreign direct investments and individuals with specialized skills (that is to improve bilateral relations with other countries). No thanks to Corona Virus and #EndSARSProtests, we all but forgot about this policy. Relax, we have you covered. The New Visa Policy expands the classes of visa from six (6) to seventy-nine (79) to accommodate additional travel requirements for expatriates intending to travel to Nigeria. Initially, we had Transit Visa, Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Subject to Regularization (STR), Temporary Work Permit (TWP) and Diplomatic Visa as the six classes. For example, missionaries and international students coming to study in Nigeria were not given visas. They usually applied for an STR document. With the NVP 2020, there is a specific visa type they can apply for. We have three major visa categories for the 79 visa types/classes. They are Temporary Residence Visas (36), Short Visit Visas (28), and Permanent Residence Visas (15). Each visa class is meant to cover every conceivable travel purpose. The NVP 2020 also classifies travellers to Nigeria into two broad categories: Visa-Free/Exemption and Visa Mandatory. There are 4 visa exemption classes and 75 mandatory visa classes in the 79 new classes.
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The Four Exemption Classes For Visa Issuance
F1A– Citizens of any country in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). They do not need to get a Nigerian visa to enter the country based on ECOWAS free movement protocol. However, they must have valid travel documents, enter through a recognized entry port and must not be in the category of prohibited immigrants. Also, they must get a residence permit from the Nigeria Immigration Service to establish they came for business or employment. F1B – Citizens of any country with Visa abolishment agreement. E.g. People from Cameroon & Chad can travel to Nigeria for a maximum of 90 days (not for employment or business) without obtaining a visa based on a bilateral agreement. However, they must get a relevant visa for employment or business purposes. F1C– Holders of official travel documents for some International organisations with visa waiver based on certain entry conditions. Organisations such as the United Nations, African Union Commission, ECOWAS Commission and African Development Bank. The entry conditions include permission to stay in Nigeria for a duration of a maximum of 90 days, and only for a single entry purpose. and F1D– Holders of Diplomatic and/or Official passport from countries with Reciprocity visa waiver agreement and certain entry conditions. 13 countries come under this category: Brazil, China, Cuba, Kenya, Namibia, Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa, Singapore, Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey and Venezuela. Qualifying citizens from these countries can enter Nigeria visa-free for a maximum of 90 days and for single entry visits only. However, the visa-free entry is not valid for employment. While the groups of person required to get visas to visit Nigeria falls under the 75 mandatory visa class.Mandatory Visa Class
- Short Visit Visas (SVV)—Allows people to visit for only three months on tourism, business travel, seminars, etc. It comprises 24 visa classes ranging from F2A for non-accredited diplomats to F9A for Nigerians in Diaspora who intend to visit Nigeria, but do not hold Nigerian passports.
- Temporary Residence Visas (TRV)—Allows individuals to live in Nigeria for a period not exceeding two years on employment, also for students, interns, etc. It consists of 36 visa classes and these range from R1A for accredited diplomats to R11 for Temporary Work Permit holders with multiple entry visa within six months.
- Permanent Residence Visas (PRV)—Caters to long-term stay by retirees, investors, highly skilled immigrants and their spouses. Permits for principal applicants ranging from five years to an indefinite period. It consists of 15 visa classes. Such as the N1A (for foreigners who are spouses of Nigerian citizens), N6D (for parents aged 65 years and above and who are dependents of Permanent Residence visa holders). it also covers investors, highly skilled immigrants or retirees, who may want to move to Nigeria.
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