Immigration boss says new cashless and on-arrival visa regime will be launched this month

NIGERIA Immigration Service comptroller-general Muhammad Babandede has revealed that the new cashless and on-arrival visa regime designed to woo investors will be introduced before the end of the year.

In October this year, foreign affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama, revealed that a new regime involving the issuing of visa-on-arrival for all visitors will soon be launched. With Nigeria's economy more-or-less wholly dependent on crude oil, the government has repeatedly acknowledged the need for diversification but doing this will require a lot of foreign direct investment and ministers are considering a series of initiatives designed to woo investors.

Speaking at the 2019 dinner and award night organised by the service in Abuja yesterday, Mr Babandede added that the new visa regime will be unveiled by the interior minister Rauf Aregbesola before the end of 2019. He said that the regime would put Nigeria in line with global practices, adding that the system would be transparent and security would not be compromised.

Mr Babandede added: “The e-visa policy will encourage investors, thereby generating foreign direct investment and making Nigeria a most preferred destination through transparency in administration and the facilitation of facilities by service. I assure you that it will be transparent and we will remove cash payment and ensure no security is compromised.

“It is a balance between facilitation, transparency and protection of national security."