New VISA Policy Document to enhance transparency, ease of doing business

Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Alhaji Isah Idris, has said that the New Nigeria VISA Policy Document would enhance transparency and ease of doing business in the country.

Idris said this in his address during the Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Meeting on Nigeria VISA Policy Document in Uyo on Thursday.

The theme of the sensitisation meeting is; “Driving Investments Through Safe Migration Corridors.”

The acting comptroller general, who was represented by the the Assistant Comptroller/Zonal Coordinator, Zone E, Owerri, Mrs EC Ejiogu, stated that the document is a product of deliberate efforts to bring about the attainment of the nation’s economic recovery plan.

He said the document sought to support the ease of doing business programme of government with the aim of attracting the much needed Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country.

Idris said that VISA was one of the strongest instruments used by nations to control the entry and exit of migrants into the territories; and used to spur economic development, enhance global relationships and promote peace and security.

“The Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP 2020) is an ambitious document that would drastically transform the economy of our country. In the document, we have expanded Visa classes from mere six to 79 classes in three new categories of Short Visit Visa (28 classes), Temporary Residence Visa (36 classes) and Permanent Residence Visa (15 classes).

“The major highlight of the document is that we now have Visa classes for every conceivable purpose of travel unlike before when we issue only business or work Visa to anyone desirous of coming into the country.

“This development has not only eliminated unnecessary meddlesomeness in our Visa application process but also introduced some reasonable degree of transparency in our operations.

“Travel arrangements to our country especially for high networth investors have been made a lot easier by the VoA reform efforts,” Idris said.

He commended the state government for the support accorded the immigration service, Akwa Ibom State command, and solicited for more support.