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Tag: e-visa

  • Seven Asian countries offering Nigerians e-visa

    Seven Asian countries offering Nigerians e-visa

    Several Asian countries have eased travel requirements for Nigerian passport holders by introducing electronic visa (e-visa) systems. These platforms allow travellers to submit applications online, reducing the need for embassy visits and making the process faster and more convenient.

    However, applicants are advised to always confirm current visa requirements, documentation, processing timelines and eligibility conditions via official immigration channels, as policies may change without notice.

    Here are seven Asian destinations where Nigerians can access e-visa options, with specific requirements:

    1. South Korea
    South Korea offers an e-visa option for Nigerians; however, applicants are required to submit physical documents through the Visa Application Centre (VFS). All supporting documents must be provided as part of the application process.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: 75 countries where US suspends visa processing

    2. Singapore
    Singapore operates a referral-based visa system for Nigerian travellers. Applications must be submitted through a Singapore citizen, a licensed visa agent or a permanent resident.

    3. Malaysia
    Nigerians are eligible for Malaysia’s e-visa programme for tourism, business and social visits. The application process is completed entirely online with digital submission of required documents.

    4. Thailand
    Thailand provides an e-visa service for Nigerians, allowing online applications for tourism and other approved travel purposes. Applicants are required to submit a police character certificate and a report from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    5. Philippines
    The Philippines offers an e-visa option that simplifies short-stay applications for Nigerian travellers visiting for tourism or business purposes.

    6. Hong Kong
    Nigerian travellers can apply online for a Hong Kong e-visa or complete a pre-arrival registration, depending on the purpose and duration of stay. The process often requires extensive documentation, including pictorial proof of previous travel history.

    7. Indonesia
    Indonesia grants Nigerians access to its e-visa platform for tourism, business and other approved categories. The application generally involves limited documentation compared to other destinations.

  • E-visa system processes over 14,000 applications in six weeks, says minister

    E-visa system processes over 14,000 applications in six weeks, says minister

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Monday highlighted the significance of the recently launched electronic visa (e-visa) regime for seamless moments of passengers in and out of the country, saying over 14,000 applications were processed within the first six weeks.

    Speaking during a stakeholder sensitization workshop on major immigration innovations held at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja, Dr Tunji-Ojo said the e-visa regime remained a major component of the reforms in the Nigerian Immigration Service.

    The Minister also disclosed that the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC) and the electronic Temporary Work Permit (TWP) are set to go live within the next week.

    “I can tell you that within the first six weeks of the e-visa, we were able to process over 14,000 visa applications. Within six weeks. So, by any standard in the world, it is a pass mark. It is a huge one and, of course, those little hitches, I tell you, within the next one to two weeks, will be history. We will correct them.

     “We are already working. Even yesterday, in my house, the CGIS was there. Technological partners were in my house. The DCG visa was in my house. All of us are in my house. We worked for hours yesterday, Sunday, even in my conference room at home.

    “We were working because we understand that when you are in the process of innovation, there is no room, there is no opportunity for you to close your eyes. You must make sure it works. We are ready for the challenge,” Dr Tunji-Ojo said.

    While highlighting the significance of the reforms in the NIS to the economy, the Minister said the e-visa system was introduced not only for migration management but also as a catalyst for economic growth.

    “To me, when somebody needs a visa to Nigeria, and all he is looking for is who knows the minister, who knows the CG Immigration, who knows the Permanent Secretary, that is not how to grow a country.

    Read Also: e-Visa, e-Gates: Tunji-Ojo’s birthday ‘gift’ to Nigerians

    “That is the truth,” he asserted. “You must make it easy while not compromising national security. There must be a strategy. So, the e-visa, I want to assure you, is here, and by the grace of God, is here to stay,” he said.

    Dr Tunji-Ojo also noted that the e-border solution has significantly bolstered Nigeria’s border security framework.

    “We are not yet where we want to be, but we are not where we were. There has been progress, and the simple truth is, we will continue to invest in our e-border governance and put more boots on the ground to make sure that every inch of the Nigerian border space is well protected,” he vowed.

    Regarding the upcoming e-CERPAC and TWP, the minister declared an end to the previous misuse of the TWP system.

     “That era when people will come on TWP almost for free, keep renewing over and over, just to evade the law, is gone. So, for us, TWP is automated just like CERPAC is already automated,” he stated.

    He added that discontinuing manual archiving in passport application processes has resulted in an annual saving of approximately one billion Naira for Nigeria, as the relevant contract has been terminated.

    The Comptroller General of Immigration Service (CGIS), Mrs Kemi Nandap, elaborated on the recent digital innovations by the Service.

    She said the new visa regime introduces several innovative services, including the e-Visa Application Channel, e-CERPAC, Landing and Exit Cards, and Temporary Work Permit.

    “The already installed e-Gates at our major Airports and the commissioned Command and Control Centre are positioned to house and harness these technologies. These digital solutions leverage technology to streamline processes, enhance security, and improve the overall experience for travellers and stakeholders,” she said.

    Mrs Nandap said, “The e-Visa system allows for seamless online applications, eliminating the need for physical visits to immigration offices.

     “The e-CERPAC integrates residence permits into a digital document, simplifying processes for foreign nationals residing in Nigeria. Our Temporary Work Permit has also been digitised, reducing processing times and increasing efficiency.”

  • FG commences implementation of e-visa regime

    FG commences implementation of e-visa regime

    The federal government has commenced the implementation of the e-visa regime, which was rolled out on Thursday, May 1.

    The government insisted on penalties for those who stay beyond the number of days approved for them by the authorities.

    A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Akinsola Akinlabi, noted that the implementation would begin with two innovative solutions.

    Akinlabi, a Deputy Controller of Immigration, listed the innovations as the e-visa application system and the automated landing and exit card system.

    He said the innovations and ongoing reforms in the Nigerian Immigration Service aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to attract foreign investment and improve national security.

    Akinlabi said:” Following the 2024 review of Nigeria’s Visa policy, the updated 2025 policy introduces an e-Visa system with enhanced security protocols.

    Read Also: e-Visa, e-Gates: Tunji-Ojo’s birthday ‘gift’ to Nigerians

    “The e-Visa application process is strictly online from end to end. Processing time for e-Visas will be 48 hours or less.

    “The e-Visa application system introduces thirteen (13) Visa types of ShortVisit Visa (SVV), details can be found on https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng/

    “Once approved, visas and the QR codes will be sent electronically via the applicant’s email.

    Visa on Arrival will be officially discontinued as the new e-Visa takes off on 1st May 2025.

    “Visas obtained through the e-Visa channel are not extendable.

    “In addition to the introduction of the e-Visa, Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 now makes it mandatory for foreigners who overstay their visas to be liable to penalties effective from 2nd August 2025.

    “The current manual embarkation and disembarkation card has been replaced by an electronic landing and exit card, via https://lecard.immigration.gov.ng/

    “Automated landing and exit cards have been introduced for inbound and outbound passengers into Nigeria.”

    Akinlabi, however, said the NIS has introduced a window period of three months from 1st May to 1st August 2025 to foreigners residing in Nigeria with expired visas to return to their home country voluntarily without penalty.