The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has increased the biometric fees for Visa-on-Arrival applications by a flat rate of USD 80. The increase took effect on 21 October 2023. However, nationals of the United States of America (USA) are exempt from payment of biometric fees in line with the visa fee reciprocity agreement with Nigeria.
Why this matters
Prior to this, the biometric fee for Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) applications was USD 90. This means that foreign nationals intending to obtain VOA approval on the NIS portal will now be required to pay USD 170 (except U.S. nationals), in addition to the applicable visa and transaction fees. This development will lead to a rise in visa expenses for business executives who frequently travel to Nigeria and organisations sending representatives to Nigeria on business visits.
Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) Approval Process
VOA is a facility granted to all business travellers and African Union nationals (non-ECOWAS nationals) who intend to visit Nigeria for business and tourism purposes, depending on their nationality.
To obtain the approval to be issued a VOA, travellers are required to submit relevant documents and make the required payments on the NIS application portal. Visa fees are determined by the nationality of the traveller. Upon payment, the applications are vetted, and approvals are typically granted within 72 hours if no irregularities are found.
Travelers are required to print copies of the approval letters sent to the email address utilised in submitting the application, as well as the application acknowledgement slips and payment receipts from the NIS application portal. These documents must be presented to facilitate their trips to Nigeria. Following their arrival at the designated port of entry, the applicable visas are issued on their passport by NIS officials.
The VOA is a single-entry visa which permits the applicant to stay in Nigeria for a period of thirty (30) days, from the date of arrival. This may be extended for an initial period of twenty-six (26) days, at no statutory cost and further extended to a cumulative period of 90 days, upon payment of a statutory fee of USD 200 and submission of a formal request to the NIS. It is important to note that the approval for extension of stay is granted at the discretion of the NIS.
KPMG Insights
This new development may have a multi-faceted impact on travellers and businesses in general, as applicants now have to pay more to obtain Visa-on-Arrival approvals. However, this may be a measure by the Nigerian government to introduce some level of fairness to the visa fee table in comparison to the fees paid by Nigerians in applying for similar visas to other countries.
Although the NIS is yet to issue an official communication regarding this increase, this change has already been implemented on the NIS’ application portal. There are currently no other changes or additional requirements to the VOA application process.
For further clarification, employers and/or travellers may wish to contact their usual, qualified immigration counsel or a member of the Global Mobility Services immigration team in Nigeria (see the Contacts section).
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* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Nigeria.
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