Nigeria introduces new visa policy to attract professionals, more investments 

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Nigeria has launched a new visa policy as the country is determined to boost its Ease of Doing Business rank. This was unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja, today.

The new visa policy was designed to attract some individuals, professionals and investments to the nation. President Buhari explained that the policy would push Nigeria’s economy towards global competitiveness.

“This new Visa Policy will advance our goal of building a globally competitive economy, by helping attract Innovation, and specialized skills and knowledge from abroad, to complement locally available ones. We are sending a message to the world that Nigeria is Open for Business.

“Pleased to announce that Nigeria has a new Visa Policy, which I launched today. This new Policy will help improve our business environment, attract FDI, boost tourism, and improve African integration, without compromising national security and our territorial integrity,” President Buhari stated on his Twitter handle.

People favoured by the policy: Nairametrics learnt that the special Short Visa classes (single entry) will favour Journalists, Clerics, Sportspeople, Artists/Entertainers/Musicians, Religious Tourists, Humanitarian Workers, etc.

What it means: This means, foreigners (Africans) coming to Nigeria for a short visit, business purpose or for tourism, will be given a legal stay for up to 90 days. But the individual has to have a valid passport.

According to the Nigerian immigration, “The document contains a range of Visa administration reforms efforts aimed at simplifying processes & making Nigeria the preferred investment and tourism destination.”

Note that the new visa policy has 79 visa classifications, with the most popular being the Visa on arrival.

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Nigeria’s ease of doing business: Back in October 2019, Nigeria’s ranking on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business increased by 15 steps from what was recorded in 2018. Nigeria, which was one of the two African countries on the list, also made the top 10 most improved economies in the world’s list, the second time in three years. This new visa policy is expected to have a positive impact on the ease of doing business in Nigeria.