Nigeria rolls out visas on arrival to Africans
Nigeria has introduced visas on arrival to all African travellers, dropping the requirement that they apply in advance, effective January 2020.
Image source: Gallo/Getty
According to Inside Travel, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the move on 12 December on Twitter during the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development inaugural meeting in Egypt. "Nigeria is committed to supporting the free movement of Africans within Africa. We will commence the issuance of visas at the point of entry into Nigeria, to all persons holding passports of African countries."
As reported by Traveller 24, ease of access for Africans across the continent has also been on the agenda for SA, as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) began testing the electronic visa (e-visa) applications for Kenya, ahead of the festive season at the beginning of December. An e-visa pilot with Nigeria is set to begin in January 2020.
Once fully rolled-out, prospective visitors will be able to apply online for visas, at home, office or place of work.
The adoption of visa on arrival by African countries is in line with the Free Movement of Persons and the African Passport policy adopted by the African Union in 2016.
