REVIEW OF EXECUTIVE ORDER ON ENTRY VISAS- NIGERIA

1. Executive Order – Business Immigration
Legal Time Limits for Assessment of Applications of Entry Visas
To reduce the cost of doing business while maintaining/bolstering Nigeria’s suitability for
foreign investment, the Federal Government set up the Presidential Enabling Business
Environment Council (PEBEC). The Council is headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
On 18th May 2017, the Vice-President (in his capacity as the Acting President) signed 3 Executive
Orders. One of these Orders, ‘On the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business
Environment’ (‘the Order’) has some impact on existing immigration practice. It provides that:
 Tourist and Business visas shall henceforth be issued or rejected with reasons by the
Consular Office of Nigerian Embassies and High Commissions within 48 hours of
receipt of valid application.
 Every government agency is required to publish a complete list of
requirements/conditions (including fees and timelines) for obtaining permits and other
government approvals. Once an application is made in line with the conditions stated in
the published list, the government agency is obliged to communicate approval or
rejection of the application within the time stipulated in the published list. Failure to do
this would lead to a default approval of the application.
 The Order also states that a comprehensive and up-to-date list of requirements,
conditions and timeframe for obtaining the Visa on Arrival (‘VoA’) shall be published on
all immigration-related websites.
The Implications
 Tourist and Business visas are now required by law to be issued within 48 hours.
However, this time limit is not imposed on VoA applications.
 Permits and other relevant licenses issued by government agencies may be
automatically granted if there is no communication from the relevant agency within
official stipulated period. In such cases, an application is to be made to the Minister in
charge for the issuance of a certificate as evidence of the default grant, within 14 days
of the time lapse.
Implementation time frame
 .Immediate
Contact Person: Woye Famojuro
E-mail: Woye.famojuro@famsvillesolictors.com
Tel No: +234 90 68909 300