Nigeria to Scrap Visa-on-Arrival Policy, Introduce Landing and Exit Cards

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to cancel its Visa-on-Arrival policy, citing its ineffectiveness. In its place, the government will introduce landing and exit cards that visitors must complete prior to entering the country.

The Visa-on-Arrival policy, introduced in 2020, was designed to grant short-stay visas at entry points, primarily targeting high-net-worth investors and frequent travelers from countries lacking Nigerian diplomatic missions. However, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has expressed concerns over the lack of reciprocal arrangements, noting that while Nigeria offers visas on arrival to nationals of various countries, Nigerians often face challenges obtaining visas to those same nations. He emphasized that visa policies should be based on reciprocity and that Nigeria should not be treated unfairly in international relations. citeturn0search0

To address this imbalance, a committee led by Permanent Secretary Oluwatoyin Akinlade has been established to develop a strategy for enforcing the reciprocity principle. The committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior is collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the smooth implementation of the revised visa policy.

As part of broader passport reforms, service providers have been directed to establish additional Passport Front Offices to reduce travel and inconvenience for applicants. These providers have a three-month deadline to activate their contracts and commence operations at the new offices, with the risk of contract termination for non-compliance. These measures aim to enhance the overall experience for Nigerians and uphold the nation’s interests.