Nigeria: Why Nigerian Passports, Visas Are Scarce

AllAfrica – 15 June 2022

Thousands of Nigerians in Diaspora and locally have applied, paid, and been captured but are yet to be issued their international passport booklets, along with foreign visitors seeking visas, continue to groan about the difficulties associated with the process, findings by LEADERSHIP Sunday reveal.

This scarcity of booklets has been blamed the failure of the federal government to grant a window to the Nigeria Immigration Service to utilise part of the revenue generated in dollars and currencies from foreign embassies.

Worried by the scarcity, which they fear might last longer than envisaged , the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) now patronises operators of Bureaux De Change for forex to foot it bills and thus, produce the all important travel documents, in line with its mandate.

Officially though, NIS denied turning to bureaux de change. The spokesperson of the service, Amos Okpu, said, "NIS is a government agency, it can't patronise bureaux de change for any forex transactions whatsoever.

"Remember that CBN monitors all transactions by government agencies including NIS. Moreover, the TSA policy certainly cannot allow such transactions for any government agency." He concluded.

LEADERSHIP Sunday however gathered that the shortage of passport booklets which many users believe has come to stay, is due to the foreign exchange policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) as it affects the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Top sources at the ministry of interior and at the Immigration Service who pleaded not to be named, revealed that despite generating billions of naira through passports and visas issuance at its embassies, the federal government has failed to grant the NIS a window to utilise part of the revenue its generates from these embassies to boost production of booklets, thereby leaving the service to source for funds elsewhere.

They revealed that, 'The NIS is handicapped. As it stands, it's the local that takes care of the operations in the diaspora. The CBN is not giving the NIS a window to foreign exchange. Monies paid in embassies go straight to the CBN, with NIS getting nothing, except from its budgetary allocations. So, the company supplying the booklets goes to bureaux de change to buy foreign currencies for passports. It goes to bureau de change to buy dollars and meanwhile, NIS has not increased the price. So, it will eat into NIS revenue, because the printers will bring their bill and NIS has to pay them.

According to these sources who however, acknowledged that there are several challenges associated with issuance of Nigerian passports and visas to Nigerians in embassies, to frantically address the issue of scarcity, it will require the intervention of both the executive and the legislature, because apart from not getting some of the revenue generated, depriving the service of adequate forex exchange is a major setback

They said, "A lot of people are suffering because of this. Some Nigerians in Diaspora who returned to renew their passports dropped it and ran back overseas to secure their jobs. Students studying overseas seem to be the hardest hit because they return to school. This is very tough for them."

LEADERSHIP Sunday further learnt that the technical partner to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Newworks Solution and Investment Limited and the producers of the passport, Irish Smart Technology Nigeria, have been advocating for the increase in the cost of the passports to enable them make profit, due to naira depreciation.

Other informed sources also told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the major reason why the passport booklets were scarce was because the producer of the passports, Irish Technologies was allegedly owed money that run into millions of dollars by NIS.

Experts, are however of the view that although these citizens in Diaspora are not even complaining about the outrageous fees being charged, they should be able to process and collect their passport within a reasonable time as it is done in other countries.

A border security expert, Mr. Adadama Ifek said, "It is so sad that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is not giving the NIS a window to foreign exchange. So, what do you expect if the company supplying the booklets goes to bureau de change operators to buy foreign exchange for passports? Definitely, it will eat into NIS revenue, because the printers will bring their bill and NIS has to pay them. I strongly agree that this is the reason for the scarcity.

Recall the in 2021, the federal government, through the ministry of interior, inaugurated the enhanced e-passport production centres and urged Nigerians to stop patronising touts and switch to online application.

Though the minister of interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbseola then, assured stakeholders that new applicants would get their passports within six weeks while renewal would not exceed three weeks passport application and payments were being migrated to digital platforms, LEADERSHIP Sunday has observed that applicants still patronise touts and unscrupulous officials in the hope to beat the system and get expedited services.

Experts who believe that the Nigerian passport is the highest affirmation of Nigerian citizenship, have further opined that it remains the responsibility of the government to provide the passport without any stress, within a reasonable period.

They said, '"Every Nigerian has the right to a Nigerian passport and it is our responsibility to put it in the hands of anyone desirous of it within the shortest possible time, without stress. The passport should be available within a considerable time of a successful application. Where there are issues, the applicant should be notified within 48 hours

They criticised the Nigerian Immigration Service for engaging consultants to manage visa and passport-related matters at Nigerian missions across the world.

Though efforts to get the image maker of the service to react to this claim as at the time of filing this report proved abortive , LEADERSHIP Sunday recalls that the minister of interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola recently acknowledged the pains of passports and visas seekers and empathised with citizens- home and in the diaspora for the unintentional stress they encounter while processing their passports in recent times. He was quoted to have said, "Each time Nigerians express their anger and frustration on the government over the inability of the passport offices to process their passports as quickly as required, we truly feel saddened - hence, our resolve to address it

www.samigration.com

Golden Visa Misery: “This is an absolute scandal”

Worldakkam 15 June 2022

Hundreds, if not thousands, of “golden visa customers” (wealthy individuals enthusiastic about investing in this country) can ruin the day they chose Portugal.

Since the beginning of this year, the SEF Border Authority has virtually decided to unilaterally freeze residence permits for investment, also known as the acronym for ARI in Portugal. ‘legal’.

Golden visas need to be renewed, but more and more foreign investors feel “high and dry” every day as the SEF refuses to issue renewal appointments.

Yes, if they remain in this country, they are basically “ok”. But if they leave, the trip becomes a nightmare, as their documents indicate that their residence permit (allowing free entry into Schengen countries) has expired.

We are not just talking about Chinese investors, the nationalities most attracted to the Golden Visa program that started 10 years ago. This scheme continues to attract investors from around the world, including the United States, South America, South Africa, Russia, India, and more recently the United Kingdom

www.samigration.com

Aaron Motsoaledi Explains How Foreigners Apply For Passports Using SA ID And Fingerprints.

Radio 702 – 15 June 2022

The Immigration emergency of South Africa has arrived at pinnacle and South Africans need their nation back from nationals that are not natively South Africans. South Africans believe that these foreign nationals have been taking job positions, businesses in townships and have been capable of the criminal violations that happen everyday. Foreign nationals likewise also get hold of South African identity deceitfully through the assistance of South Africans.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi addressed Clement Manyathela on Radio 702 and uncovered how South Africans offer their IDs to far off nationals and apply for international IDs through the assistance of a South African Home Affairs official. As said by the Minister, a Pakistani or Somali kingpin enrolls South Africans to sell their identification details. He says that they enroll South Africans and take them to the Home Affairs around evening time to apply for a visa utilizing the fingers prints of the South African that has been recruited. However the image for the application of the passport is then taken by the outsider.

The Minister says that individuals ought to be cautious on the grounds that the image framework isn't equivalent to the one in the past as ID photographs are now presented digitally. This implies that when you snap a photo now, it clears out all photos you had previously. Hence, the Pakistan who snapped the photo will stay there until they snap another photo. This will influence individuals when they need to apply for different things and an image of a Pakistan is in the populace framework instead of the rightful owner of the ID. 

In the event that you have offered your subtleties to an unfamiliar natinal previously, odds are you probably won't have the option to apply for different things as you wouldn't coordinate with the image on your records.

While the Home Affairs Minister and Operation Dudula have been attempting to clean the country, South Africans need to likewise do their part and quit offering their details to outside nationals since they additionally get impacted simultaneously.

www.samigration.com

Can you get South African citizenship through marriage?

15 June 2022 – Political Analysis

You can get South African citizenship through marriage, but you first need to apply for a permanent residency permit and then wait five years.

There are different ways to get citizenship in South Africa, but citizenship by naturalisation is the most common way for spouses of different nationalities.

However, in order to get citizenship by naturalisation, you first need to hold a permanent residency permit for at least five years.

Different ways to get citizenship in South Africa

In South Africa, the process to apply and receive citizenship in the country is regulated by the South African Citizenship Amendment Act, 2010 (Act No. 17 of 2010), which came into effect in January 2013.

There are three main ways that you can gain citizenship in South Africa, namely, citizenship by birth, by descent, and by naturalisation. The first two methods are self-explanatory and require that you be born in the country or that your parents hold South African citizenship to become a citizen. Citizenship by naturalisation is a more complicated process and can usually only be processed once you have held a permanent residence permit for at least five years, or if you are a minor.

Can you get South African citizenship through marriage?

You can get South African citizenship if you are married to a South African or someone who has a permanent residence permit in South Africa, but the process is complicated and takes several years to complete. This process is the same for same-sex and heterosexual relationships and marriages.

The first important factor to understand in this process is the difference between permanent residency and citizenship. You can apply for a permanent residency permit if you want to live, study, or work in South Africa and this awards you many of the same rights as those of South African citizens. However, you can only apply to become a permanent South African citizen after you have held this permanent residency permit for at least five years.

This is the beginning of the process for getting citizenship if you are married to a South African. You first need to apply for permanent residency, which is also known as a spousal permit, if you are married to a South African citizen or permanent resident and then, when you have had your permanent residency permit for five years, you will be able to apply for South African citizenship.

It is also important to note that the five-year waiting period before you apply for citizenship is not the only step in the process that takes long. Just applying for the permanent residency permit can take up to 24 months, which is why many people choose to also apply for a spousal or life partner visa, as this application may be approved earlier.

The spousal visa

Applying for a spousal visa while you wait for your permanent residency visa is a good idea, as this allows the foreign partner in the relationship to study, work, and set up a business while they are living in South Africa, without the need for a work- or business permit.

However, his spousal visa is only valid for two to three years, which is shorter than the permanent residency permit, but it is a good temporary solution while the documentation and processes for the permanent residence permit is being finalised. This is also a good option for couples who have been married for less than five years and do not qualify for the permanent residency permit yet.

The permanent residency permit

In order to start the process of applying for a permanent residency permit or spousal permit, it is important to keep in mind that the marriage needs to be at least five years old. There are also other criteria that need to be met in order for the permanent residency application to be successfully approved, such as:

• You need to be able to prove cohabitation and shared financial responsibilities in your relationship
• The relationship must exclude any third parties
• The foreign applicant must have a good character and be in good health

Furthermore, your relationship also needs to last two years after the permanent residency is granted, or the permit will be revoked, but this does not apply if the South African party in the marriage passes away.

The citizenship application

Once you have held this permanent residency permit for at least five years, you can start the process of applying for South African citizenship. Applying for citizenship in this way is referred to as citizenship by naturalisation.

To apply for citizenship by naturalisation, you need to visit the Department of Home Affairs with the appropriate documents to get the application started

www.samigration.com

Home Affairs Outsources Passport Services for South Africans in the UK

SA  People -  15 Jun, 2022

great news for South Africans in the UK with the announcement that they can now apply for their passports through VFS Global, with immediate effect.

We won’t rehash the nightmare tales of South Africans trying to phone the SA High Commission for weeks on end with no reply (there’s a special time of day to call), and sending emails that felt like they were ignored (in some cases they were if the subject was not exactly correct).

Now, since 1 June, applying for child and adult passports and renewing passports should be a LOT easier. For starters, South Africans in the UK can now arrange to have their application interview in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester or London. Before it was London or nothing.

The DA Abroad, together with the DA in South Africa, and SAPeople have worked tirelessly to request changes to the passport application procedure for South Africans abroad, particularly in the UK. This has included a joint petition which gathered over 20,000 signatures and was delivered by the DA to Parliament for debate.

In response to this announcement, Justin Adams, DA Abroad UK Chairperson, told SAPeople:

“A step in the right direction, and happy to see the pressure may finally be beginning to pay off but there are immediate questions about the processing of these passports, are these going to DHA in SA, what about those who have been waiting months and in some cases years? Will this improve service with regards to other documentation?

“A small baby step but we have a lot of catching up to do and we haven’t even touched on what is happening in other jurisdictions.”

The SA High Commission in London has a message on its website alerting South Africans to the “Important developments” at its Home Affairs Section. Under the heading Important Passport Notice, it says: “We are pleased to inform you that the Department of Home Affairs has outsourced passport services to VFS Global with effect from 01 June 2022. Please book your appointment on the link below:
https://passport.vfsglobal.com/ppt/en/zaf”

The new service also means South Africans in the UK will be able to track the progress of their passport applications.

Please Note: An Emergency Travel Certificate can still only be applied for at the High Commission.

The following services will still be rendered at the High Commission by appointment:

1. Notice of birth/ birth registration
2. 1st ID book and ID book replacement (Smart ID Cards are only issued in South Africa)
3. 1st Adult passport i.e. 15 1/2 year olds who have never been issued with an ID book/Smart Card.
4. Amendments i.e. Change of forenames / Change of Surname (NOT due to marriage or divorce)
5. Emergency Travel Certificate
6. Death registration
7. Consent for minor passport applications (For parents in different countries)

The following services are rendered strictly by post:

1. Retention of South African citizenship.
2. Renunciation of South African citizenship.
3. Determination of citizenship status

www.samigration.com