As part of measures for effective service delivery, the Nigeria Immigration Service has automated the processing of Visa on Arrival and Temporary Work Permit.
The Service says this is also in line with the reform policies of the current administration and the federal government’s ease of doing business.
Addressing stakeholders in a virtual meeting on Wednesday, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede said with the new policy, applicants can now apply and pay for Visa on Arrival online and also receive their approvals online without coming in contact with its officers.
The Immigration boss, while restating the readiness of the Service to render quality service to the public added that the electronic system will further entrench transparency.
He said the new initiative will bring to an end what he called such unnecessary cost and delays witnessed in the process and delivery of services, adding that the NIS has taken the steps of removing bottlenecks in the spirit of Ease of Doing Bus
In his comment, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola who was represented by the Director of Citizenship and Business, Mr. Stephen Okon expressed happiness over the virtual engagement, saying it will aid the work of the Ministry.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Sunday James, he announced that all Migrants in Nigeria whose permits expired from 23rd March to 5th September, 2020 with evidence of confirmed return tickets scheduled to travel out of the country are to be issued with free extensions to enable them depart on or before 15th September, 2020;
The Service also announced that all Migrants whose permit/visitor’s pass expired before 23rd March, 2020 shall pay overstay penalty for the number of days stayed before the lockdown on 23rd March, 2020.
According to the release, all resident Migrants, whose permits expired outside the country from 23rd March, 2020 shall be allowed entry into Nigeria with the expired permits on or before 25th September, 2020. Such returning holders of expired permits and their dependents are to renew the permits within thirty (30) days of arrival to Nigeria to avoid sanctions under relevant Immigration laws.
This automation policy which the Immigration service says is in furtherance of the attainment of its reform targets set for it by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) is expected to reduce the cost of travelling, extra cost incurred by human resources managers and public relations officers of companies and organizations who travel the Abuja the nation’s capital to process visa on arrival and temporary work permit.
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