Nigeria is set to overhaul its short-stay visa approval system by introducing an automated process aimed at reducing delays and curbing bureaucratic bottlenecks. Interior Minister Olubunmi Ojo announced the initiative on Tuesday, stating that the new system will expedite visa issuance and enhance travel efficiency.
Under the plan, travelers can apply for short-stay visas online and receive approval within 24 to 48 hours. Approved visas will be sent directly to applicants via email, eliminating the need for a physical sticker at entry points. The move is expected to address long wait times and limit the role of intermediaries who facilitate visa approvals through unofficial channels.
The initiative is part of broader reforms introduced since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023, including efforts to modernize the passport issuance process. The government recently launched a contactless passport application system for Nigerians abroad.
Today, I presided over a meeting on Nigeria's new visa policy, the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 (NVP 2025), alongside the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap.
The proposed visa policy aims to enhance the ease of doing business, boost tourism, and strengthen… pic.twitter.com/RJeEiUfqxc
— Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (@BTOofficial) February 25, 2025
