The Federal Government has said that for any foreigner holding a valid visitor pass or resident permit with authentic return tickets, they would be issued government extensions at zero cost.
This will allow the beneficiaries to reschedule their flights and travel within a week, pending the time restriction on travel is suspended.
A handful of foreigners had been stranded following the presidential order for international airports and land borders to be closed, so as to forestall the spread of the novel coronavirus.
This outcome triggered foreign embassies in the country, including the British High Commission, United States Mission and others to have sought the permission of the government to evacuate their citizens through special flights.
In a statement released by the Nigeria Immigration Service in Abuja, on Wednesday, it said the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had approved the order in respect of the foreigners affected by the embargo on international travels, in a letter with reference MI/PM/16012/S.266/V.II, which was dated April 6.
The statement by the NIS spokesman, Sunday James, said, “In the light of the above, all visitors and migrants holding valid visitors pass or resident permit with confirmed return tickets scheduled to travel out within the period of the international travel restriction, are to be issued with relevant extensions at no cost to enable the beneficiaries to reschedule their flights and travel within one week whenever the embargo is suspended by the Federal Government.”
However, the government indicated that visitors whose permits or visitors pass had expired before the embargo must pay for overstay for the period spent.
“Furthermore, anyone that overstays beyond the waiver period whenever the restriction is lifted by the Federal Government is to promptly comply by paying for overstay,” it added.
