Monday 23 July 2012

Zambia Excludes Nigeria From Visa Free Countries



Zambia has excluded Nigeria among the African and Commonwealth countries that do not require visa to enter the country.

Ordinarily, Nigerians should obtain Zambian visa at the point of entry into that country but

latest development indicate that Zambia authorities have changed their mind on free visa application requirements for Nigerians.


The country said in its website that Nigerian nationals and some others going to Zambia as private/ business visitors or in transit shall apply for visas at Zambian Missions abroad. It however said the nationals who come to Zambia on confirmed Government business could obtain their entry visas at Zambian Missions abroad or points of entry upon production of official invitation letters.


The Minister in charge of Zambia’s Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Given Lubinda told BusinessDay in Lusaka that Nigeria suppose to be in the preference list whose nationals will obtain visa at point of entry. “We will look into it”

Probably aware that Nigeria has been excluded from the free visa requirement until at the point of entry, Lubinda however said it is in the interest of Zambia that more Nigerians visit the country as it is through such visits that bi-lateral trade between both countries can grow. Zambia buys cotton from Nigeria.
It is not clear why friendly Zambia subjected Nigerian nationals among those countries that require visa before entering the country but sources have linked it to security challenges in Nigeria at the moment.


Source: Business Day

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