Nigeria visas: expect biometric bottlenecks

THE Nigerian Consulate’s
rollout of biometric visa
requirements for South
Africans last week (October
30) is likely to result in
bottlenecks.
Jaendre Terblanche,
owner of Visas Zone,
says the introduction
of biometrics may
disrupt processing as
the Consulate only has
two biometric devices in
operation. “I understand
that the goal is to see 10
applicants per hour. This
means the bottleneck at
the actual submission
stations and payment
stations will be frustrating
to say the least,” he says.
“But my biggest concern
is that these machines go
offline.”
Still Jaendre says it
is a step in the right
direction. Other agents
have also welcomed the
move in terms of security.
Rachael Penaluna,
business manager of Sure
Maritime Travel, expects
all embassies to introduce
biometrics at some stage
as it gives them credibility.
Agents have long been
concerned about the
efficiency and reliability of
the Nigerian Consulate.
“We have a lot of travel
to Nigeria and the visa
process is inconsistent –
sometimes they are quick
and sometimes it takes
ages,” says Rachael.
Debbie Joubert, md of Sure
Travel 24-7, adds that the
fact that the Consulate
runs out of visa stickers
and as a result has to
suspend visa highlights how
disorganised they are.