Report emanating from the aviation sector has it that Nigeria’s visa-on-arrival biometric fee has been increased from $90 to a staggering $170. This Podium Reporters gathered has generated significant outcry and heaped more financial burden on travellers.
The policy which has generated a lot of criticism from local and international travellers have been implemented with the exception of US citizens who have been granted waivers.
The Visa On Arrival policy is a service extended to travellers planning to visit Nigeria for business or tourism. This is enjoyed by members of the African Union (excluding ECOWAS citizens) and business travellers.
According to a US immigration law practice, Fragomen, “Travellers (except for U.S nationals, who have been waived from the fee since 1st March, 2023) are now subject to a higher visa-on-arrival biometric fee application of $170, excluding other related visa and transaction fees (up from $90).
Larry Madowo, a CNN international correspondent who shared a personal experience of the revised fee paid by travelers who intend travelling to Nigeria narrated his ordeal.
Madowo who is a frequent visitor to Nigeria lamented lamented that he has been forced to cough out $215 dollars on each of his visit to the country this year alone having visited thrice so far.
“Nigeria just charged me $215 for a one month single entry visa again. I was here three weeks ago – paid the same $215. This is actually my third time in Nigeria this year, so they have made $645 from me in 2024 alone,” Madowo said
Madowo who question the rationale behind a repeated biometric capturing for returning visitor whose fingerprint remains the same further stated that “this visa itself coat $25, but Nigeria charges $20 as processing fee and another $170 for biometric everytime”. The CNN correspondent argued that such high charges for a basic entry procedure appears to rigid and unjustifiable
Madowo who pointed out a sharp contrast between Nigeria’s visa on arrival policy and that of other African countries explained that countries like Uganda, Ghana and South Africa do not have such policy in place as he faces no Visa requirements with his kenyan passport. He urged for a more simple means of connecting African states. He noted that a rigid visa on arrival policy would have negative impacts on regional integration and economic cooperation within the African soil.
“In the three weeks since I was last in Lagos, I went to Uganda, South Africa and Ghana where I don’t need a visa with a Kenyan passport. In fact, I have also been to South Africa three times this year. It cost me $0,” he said.
He further highlighted numerous bottlenecks in the Nigerian Visa system when compared to other bureaucratic tendencies in other African countries. In his claim, he argues that Kenya’s electronic trav authorization, which despite labelled “visa-free” involves very rigid application procedures and potential delays.
“Nigeria’s visa-on-arrival system is similar to the “visa free” delusion of Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorisation: you apply in advance, submit some documents and wait for it to be approved. It can take up to five business days. If you “someone,” you can pay them $50 or more to facilitate a faster approval,” Madowo said.
Nigeria’s visa on arrival fee increment underscores the growing frustration among travellers who argued for a reduced visa fee, streamlined visa process and increased pan-african efforts such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Travellers further argued for a more affordable and accessible travel procedure as this remains a panacea to continental unity and progress.
Kenyans living in Nigeria have been said to have disparity in their fee application fee also. According to Ikechi Uko, a travel expert who said Kenyans could get a visa on arrival at the Abuja Airport for $25 and at the Lagos Airport for $50 as of 2018 lamented that by 2022 $90 was added for biometrics and by 2024 it was increased to $215.
“I have had many people from Kenya cancel trips when they added tickets and visas in the last 6 months. The only good news is that Hotel bills are cheap for dollar holding Foreigners. The pricing is anti-African. Reciprocity is acceptable but our Visa costs are no longer reciprocal.
“I have been going to Kenya since 1998. The so-called authorization I used last week is exactly the same process as the EVisa I used in November; just a change of name. No change,” Ikechi said.
He said Rwanda and Seychelles are the only countries with no Visa Hassles.