South Africa moves to ease visa processing for Nigerians

Posted by admin Headlines Saturday, February 5th, 2011

THE South African High Commission in Abuja has announced a new collaboration aimed at eliminating crowding, touts, agents and allegations of corruption in its visa issuing process.

While addressing journalists, the High Commissioner, Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo, said the partnership with VFS Global, will help ease the process and meet the needs of Nigerians seeking visa into South Africa.

He said the process has already been introduced in Lagos and is working. Henceforth, visa applications will only be filled at a designated centre of VFS in Asokoro, Abuja.

“Diplomatic and official passport holders will continue to present their applications at the High Commission. All applicants for study, work and medical permits will present their applications at the Mission,” he said.

He added that all amount payable for visa remain N17,600, noting that the new visa processing partner company also works with the American Embassy and some European embassies in Nigeria for more efficiency in visa issuance.

“We want to lean on their experiences to provide services that will meet the needs of Nigerians. A call centre and a track and trace system will be established to allow applicants to follow up and receive information on the status of their applications,” he said, adding that with the new process, visas will be ready in five days with applicants not having to go through stress.

VFS’s Regional Head for Africa, Paul Vijayakumar, told journalists that his company will be responsible for visa processing but would not be involved in deciding who gets visa.

He disclosed that the company, with over 100 years experience, works in 10 sub-Saharan countries among others worldwide. It also works with eight foreign missions in Nigeria.

-Guardianwp_posts