As part of efforts to fast-track the recovery of the economy, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reviewed the requirements for Nigerian visas to increase the flow of foreign direct investments into the country.

“The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has reviewed the requirements for Nigerian visas to make them more customer friendly. The types of visas currently reviewed include Visa on Arrival (VoA) processes, Business Visas, Tourist Visas and Transit Visas,” the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed (photo), disclosed in a statement in Lagos last Sunday.

According to him, the measure falls under the 60-day national action plan for ease of doing business recently approved by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). He said the action is also part of the drive by the government to diversify the economy by boosting tourism. The official said other actions taken by the NIS includes the organization of the range of airport arrival and departure forms/cards into a single form to save foreigners from the stress of having to file several documents, amongst others.

“The re-issuance of passports for change of names or lost cases has been transferred to all state commands and foreign missions to save passport holders from additional costs and the inconvenience of travelling to the service headquarters in Abuja, while an additional 28 offices have been opened for the issuance of residence permits in Nigeria, bringing the issuance of Combined Expatriate Residence Permit And Aliens Cards (CERPAC) closer to the doorstep of employers of expatriates at all 36 states and FCT,” Mohammed added.

Anita Fatunji