The Comptroller General , Nigeria Immigration Service , Mr . Muhammad Babandede says the NIS has implemented procedures for international flights resumption and visa payment.
Babandede said this during a virtual meeting with stakeholders to address travel concerns and automation of Travel Work Permit on Wednesday in Abuja .
In a statement issued by the NIS Public Relations Officer , Mr . Sunday James, Babandede said the procedures were in line with Federal Government ’ s approval for the commencement of international flight operations from September 5.
Babandede said Murtala Mohammed International Airport , Lagos ; and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport , Abuja , were earlier approved by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola , for the implementation.
This, he said , was vide letter Ref. No . MI/PM /16012/S . 366/Vol. ll / dated 6th April, 2020 on waiver for visa payment due to COVID - 19, closure of land borders and suspension of international flights.
According to him , the NIS, in exercising its statutory mandate, wishes to implement as follows.
“ All migrants in Nigeria whose permits expired from 23rd March to 5th September , 2020 have extension .
“ All migrants with evidence of confirmed return tickets scheduled to travel out of the country were to be issued free extensions to enable them depart on or before 15th September , 2020.
“ All migrants whose permit or visitor’ s pass expired before 23rd March , 2020 will pay overstay penalty for the number of days stayed before the lockdown on 23rd March , 2020.
“ All resident migrants whose permits expired outside the country from 23rd March , 2020 shall be allowed entry into Nigeria with the expired permits on or before 25th September , 2020.
“ Such returning holders of expired permits and their dependents are to renew the permits within 30 days of arrival to Nigeria to avoid sanctions under relevant Immigration laws .
“ All migrants who processed payments for visa -on -arrival and other categories of visas from the Nigerian Missions before 23rd March 2020, are to apply for re- validation.
“ This should be done by uploading copy of the previous payments via cis -evisa @ immigration . gov . ng not later than 15th September , 2020.
“ All migrants who obtained visa- on -arrival pre - approval letters and other categories of visas from the Nigerian Missions before 23rd March , 2020, whose approvals /visas expired before 5th September , 2020 are also to apply for revalidation.
“ This is without fresh payments but by uploading copies of the expired pre -approval letters /visas via cis -evisa @ immigration . gov . ng not later than 15th September , 2020, ” he said .
Babandede said the NIS had also activated visa- on - arrival and e -visa payment portals to enable the intending migrants to Nigeria process entry visas as from September 5.
He said in a situation where migrants had obtained a Temporary Work Permit approval and the Mission where such visas were to be issued were closed , they should submit the complaint through cis - evisa @ immigration . gov . ng
“ These two international airports — MMIA and NAIA — are to commence issuance of visas in line with Nigeria Visa Policy 2020 with effect from the period of the opening of the designated Airports .
“ Any violation will attract penalties , ” he said .
NAN reports that NIS hosted over 100 business stakeholders in a virtual meeting where issues of travel concern during COVID - 19, procedures for residency were addressed.
Issues concerning entry of migrants affected by the suspension of international flights and closure of land borders were also addressed.
(NAN )
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