For Nigerians who frequently travel abroad for tourism, business or family visits, obtaining a long-validity visa can reduce the need to submit a new application before every trip.
Several countries offer visas that can remain valid for as long as 10 years, although the period granted depends on the applicant, visa category and the immigration rules of the country concerned.
A 10-year visa does not mean a traveller can remain in the country for the entire 10-year period. Instead, it generally permits multiple visits throughout the visa’s validity, while the duration of each stay is determined separately.
Here are five countries Nigerians should know about.
1. United Kingdom
Nigerians can apply for the UK’s Long-term Standard Visitor visa, which is available for two, five or 10 years.
The 10-year visa permits multiple visits to the UK throughout its validity. However, visitors are generally allowed to stay for a maximum of six months during each visit.
The UK government allows regular visitors to apply for a long-term visitor visa. However, UK Visas and Immigration may issue a visa for a shorter period if the applicant does not meet the requirements for the duration requested.
The current application fee for the 10-year Long-term Standard Visitor visa is £1,128.
2. Canada
Canada offers a multiple-entry visitor visa that can remain valid for up to 10 years.
The visa allows travellers to enter Canada several times while it remains valid, although a 10-year validity period is not guaranteed.
According to Canada’s immigration authorities, an immigration officer decides whether an applicant receives a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and determines its validity period. The visa can remain valid for up to 10 years, or until the expiry of the applicant’s passport or biometrics, whichever comes first.
Most visitors are permitted to stay in Canada for up to six months per visit, although a border officer may authorise a different duration.
3. Mexico
Mexico offers a Long Duration Visitor Visa that can be valid for 10 years and permits multiple entries.
Information from the Mexican government’s consular authorities states that the long-duration visitor visa is valid for 10 years and allows multiple entries during that period. Each visit can generally last for up to six months.
The visa is designed for visitors who do not intend to reside in Mexico or engage in paid employment.
Nigerian applicants should confirm their eligibility and the required supporting documents with the Mexican diplomatic mission responsible for processing their application.
4. Brazil
Brazilian law allows visitor visas to have a validity period of up to 10 years where reciprocity applies.
According to Brazil’s Federal Police, visitor visas generally have a validity of one year and allow multiple entries, but their validity can extend to 10 years where reciprocal arrangements apply.
Therefore, Nigerians should not assume that every Brazilian visitor visa will automatically be issued for 10 years. The actual validity depends on the applicable arrangements and the visa granted to the individual applicant.
Brazil’s government also allows foreign nationals to apply for Brazilian visas through Brazilian consular posts abroad.
5. South Africa
South Africa offers 10-year long-term multiple-entry visas to certain categories of African business travellers and academics.
The South African government announced that its long-term visa arrangements include a 10-year multiple-entry visa for eligible businesspeople and academics from African countries.