Nigeria: Business Trust Visa Forthcoming

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) plans to introduce a new single-entry investor visa for foreign investors seeking to enter Nigeria for business opportunities, meetings, conferences, seminars, contract negotiations, marketing, sales, procurement of Nigerian goods/services, trade fairs and job interviews. The planned new visa will be called a Business Trust Visa. Applicants will be able to apply and submit all required documentation at a Nigerian consular post to obtain a business visa stamp in their passport within 10 to 12 business days of submitting their application. Foreign investors applying for the Business Trust Visa will undergo background checks to confirm the purpose of their visits. The NIS has not yet announced eligibility criteria for potential applicants or the allowable stay period or other details. The Business Trust Visa is intended to curb fraudulent activities that may be undertaken by travelers purporting to visit Nigeria for investment or business purposes.