The Presidency on Wednesday reeled out gains of the federal government’s new Visa policy, which is expected to boost trade and investment, amidst fears of possible abuse.
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement on Wednesday, dispelled the fears adding that the Visa on Arrival policy, announced by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aswan Forum, in Egypt, would rather check the influx of criminals into the country following a biometric system that will expose such criminals
He observed that the policy was greeted with loads of condemnation from some quarters, largely due to misconception, and, perhaps, mischief.
“Chief among the allegations was that it was a ploy to import more killers into the country under official cover, and that foreigners would come to take available job opportunities meant for Nigerians.
The NVP was a direct product of a well-conceived policy, after a rigorous debate during retreats in 2019 devoted to conceiving and enunciating the policy.
The retreats, conferences, and engagements with stakeholders by the Nigeria Immigration Service, were held in August, October, and December, in Lagos, Benin, and Abuja, respectively.
“The NVP 2020 is a global visa system, and there is biometrics linked to online applications for each applicant. Chances of criminals beating the system are negligible. Biometrics is to be conducted at port of entry.
The Visa on Arrival to be issued only at airports, not at land borders, the NVP include three categories of visas: short visit, temporary, and permanent residence.
Federal government expanded the previous six classes of Visa, to 79 classes, while also introducing Visa for Diaspora Nigerians by birth, with dual citizenship.
Visa on Arrival is only for short visits, and there is little chance that visitors will come in to take jobs that should have been for Nigerians.
The system is also automated, with no chances of issuing officials having access to cash as there will be no cash transaction, so the chances of corruption are reduced.
The new NVP forms part of a wider reform ‘NIS Border Strategy, 2019-2023., aimed at addressing several border-related issues.
This is just as the new policy holds immense economic benefits for the country, as enunciated by the President’s earlier statement that:
“The Nigeria Visa Policy 2020 is intended to attract innovation, specialized skills and knowledge from abroad to complement locally available ones…it will support the attainment of a globally competitive economy for Nigeria by building on the efforts of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council. The policy is expected to improve the business environment, attract Foreign Direct Investment and boost tourism without compromising national security.”
