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Immigration suspends controversial $90 biometric visa policy

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has suspended
the collection of $90 biometric Visa-On- Arrival policy it introduced about two
weeks ago at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.


The policy had sparked controversy and protest
by some incoming passengers – who without prior knowledge of the policy –
refused to pay the $90 to the NIS.

The
introduction of the charges also caused chaos at the MMIA terminal especially
in situations where the NIS officials had to delay some of the passengers on
arrival at the airport for refusing to pay the money.

It was learnt yesterday that the biometric,
which came on stream on June 12, was only implemented for two days, but had
been suspended following complaints from some of the travelers who protested
the lack of publicity prior to the commencement of the new 
policy. 

Most of
the dissenting passengers had faulted the NIS for introducing the $90 biometric
visa on arrival as well as an additional $20 as processing fee for foreigners
who were entering the country in spite of the fact that such passengers had
already paid for visas from
their respective countries.

Immigration sources said that the biometric
Visa-On-Arrival charges was however being handled by Online Integrated Service
(OIS), while the process charges is handled by New Works Limited.

The source
explained that the biometric charges were introduced as a reciprocity given
that some countries around the world were already charging Nigerians such fees
upon entering their countries.

Some of
the notable countries with biometric charges on Nigerian travelers include the
United Kingdom, United States of America, South Africa, Kenya and China among
others.
A
The Sun.

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