Tag Archive for: NIS

Lynn Mackenzie, J.D., LLM

Courtesy of  Advocaat Law Practice

Upon resumption of international flights in Nigeria on September 5, 2020, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) issued guidelines for visa revalidation and migrant travels affected by the suspension of international flights and closure of airspace. The guidelines provide as follows:

  1. All migrants in Nigeria, whose Permit expired between March 23, 2020 to September 5, 2020 will upon presentation of their confirmed return tickets, be granted a free extension to enable them to depart the country on, or before September 15, 2020.
  2. All migrants in Nigeria, whose Permit or Visitors’ pass expired before March 23, 2020 will pay overstay penalty for the number of days stayed before the suspension of international flights and border closure, which commenced on March 23, 2020.
  3. All resident migrants whose residence permits expired, while outside the country from March 23, 2020 shall be allowed entry into Nigeria with the expired permit on or before September 25, 2020. These returning migrants are required to renew their residence permit within thirty (30) days of their arrival in Nigeria to avoid sanctions under the relevant Immigration laws.
  4. All migrants who processed payments for Visa on Arrival (VOA) and other categories of visas from the Nigerian Missions before March 23, 2020 are to apply for revalidation. A copy of the previous payment must be sent to; Cisevisa@immigration.gov.ng no later than September 15, 2020.
  5. All migrants who obtained VOA pre-approval Letters and other categories of visas from the Nigerian Missions before March 23, 2020, whose approvals/visas expired before September 5, 2020, are to also apply for revalidation. The revalidation process requires that copies of the expired pre-approval letters/visas be sent to cis-evisa@immigration.gov.ng not later than September 15, 2020. These categories of migrants will not be required to make fresh payments.
  6. VOA and e-Visa payment portals have been activated to enable intending migrants to Nigeria process entry visas as from September 5, 2020.
  7. Migrants who have obtained Temporary Work Permit (TWP) approval addressed to Missions that are closed for visa issuance should submit a complaint through cisevisa@immigration.gov.ng. The NIS will, upon receipt of the complaint, revert with appropriate options for visa issuance.
  8. All intending passengers are required to register via a Nigerian International Travel Portal online accessed through https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng/onboarding/guidelines.
  9. While on the portal, passengers are required to complete the ‘Health Declaration/SelfReporting’ form, upload COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test conducted in the country of departure and make payment for a repeat PCR test to be done upon arrival in Nigeria, with the options of where and when to carry out the test.

The content of this article is provided for general information purposes. The provision of this article does not constitute legal advice or opinion of any kind; no advisory or fiduciary relationship is created between Relocation Africa and any other person accessing or using this article. Relocation Africa will not be liable for any damages or loss arising from using any part of this article.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

This information was provided courtesy of Famsville Solicitors.

Arrival of Migrants with Expired Residency Permits

The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)  stated in the circular dated May 22, 2020, that visitors and migrants whose permits expired outside the country from the March 20, 2020, will be allowed entry into the country. the returning holder of any expired permits or their dependents should renew their permits within thirty (30) days of arrival to avoid sanctions under the relevant Immigrations laws.

General Information for persons arriving in Nigeria

On the 8th of June, 2020, COVID-19 Response-: Revised Quarantine Protocol was released by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19. the protocol provides general information for persons arriving in Nigeria from any country including returnees/stranded Nigerian. The Protocol is divided into the pre-departure/onboard and on arrival in Nigeria.  The protocol came into effect from the 8th of June, 2020.

Pre-departure/onboard

1. Passengers arriving/returning to Nigeria must have tested NEGATIVE for COVID-19 (pre-boarding PCR test in country of departure). PCR test MUST be within 2 weeks before departure and preferably not less than 5 days pre-boarding.

2. Onboard, passengers are required to correctly fill in the Health Declaration/Self-Reporting Form & the Sample Collection Time Allocation Form.

On arrival in Nigeria

3. Passengers are to queue orderly and in batches while disembarking to avoid overcrowding.
4. Passengers are to proceed for health screening and fill the health declaration form that will be provided.
5. Passengers are requested to comply with all safety regulations.
6. Persons who have arrived in Nigeria are advised to self-isolate (in their homes or make arrangments for accommodation) for 14 days in the State where the Point of Entry is located (i.e. Lagos or Abuja).
7. Passengers will be cleared through the Nigeria Immigration System’s Migrants Identification Data Analysis System (MIDAS) and their passports retained until after successful completion of the 14 days self-quarantine.
8. Passengers will be given an appointment time and date to present themselves at the Sample Collection Centre located in Lagos or Abuja for a repeat COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.
9. Persons who are unable to remain in Lagos or Abuja throughout the period of self-quarantine
may return to their States of residence ONLY after:
(a) They have had their samples collected and are NEGATIVE for COVID-19; and
(b) They have provided Public Health Officials with their full and correct address and phone number where they can be reached
10. Persons who have completed the 14 days of self-isolation/quarantine will undergo an exit interview. Their details will be forwarded to the Nigeria Immigration Service for release of their passports. Alternative arrangements can be made to collect passports via Special delivery e.g. DHL.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].