Nigeria announces new visa policy for expatriates

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a new visa policy directed at foreign nationals in the country.

In the announcement on Thursday, the NIS said the new policy removes the need for re-entry visas to legal resident expatriates in Nigeria, which implies that resident expatriates would no longer have to apply through the High Commission for visas once they have been granted entry.

The NIS explained in a statement signed by the Assistant Controller of Immigration, 'A' Headquarters, Lagos, Nuhu Ibrahim, that the new policy, approved by the Federal Executive Council, would attract more Foreign Direct Investment to Nigeria.

Furthermore, the policy is expected to encourage rapid industralisation and employment generation, and it would attract innovators and highly skilled professionals into the country.

Ibrahim, however, stated that the policy would not apply to accredited diplomats serving in Nigeria.