Nigerian Visa DENIAL

Hey guys,

Like I posted yesterday on my facebook account (www.facebook.com/RDKTravels) my Nigerian visa application was denied. So let me grab this opportunity to explain what happened.

Before I went there I called to ask what were the specific visa requirements. The lady on the phone told me; 1 passport photo, 1 copy of your passport including info concerning my Ghanaian residence permit, yellow fever certificate, letter of invitation explaining my purpose of travelling, insurance card and proof of sufficient funds. Quite the list right? I told her that I had everything except for the Ghana residence permit because I would probably not arrive in Nigeria within 3 months of departure from my home country. She told me to bring the paperwork and come, so I did.

When I showed up I had to register, leave my phone and fill in the application form at the reception. When I went to the reception the lady got upset and directed me to fill in the form before arriving. So I went back to the gate, filled in the form there and returned to the reception. There it was a full house, over 20 people who all seemed to have different problems with the application. When I approached the lady she told me there was a problem because I did not have a Ghana residence permit. I explained the situation and after some talking back and forwards she asked me to wait. A man in a suit showed up. I don’t know if he was the ambassador, his assistant or someone else but he went with me through my paperwork and explained that it was impossible to issue a visa to anyone not residing in the country in which I was applying. When I asked if there was a difference between tourist and business visa I got different and contradictory information. Then it popped in my head, this is the NIGERIAN high commision. I asked if maybe there was an extra fee because of the extra hassle they had to go through. The man in the suit left, called and returned within 10mins. He told me there was NO possibility within Ghana without a Ghanese residence permit. I might have better luck in Cotonou, Benin, since it is an adjacent country and they can make an exception for someone who has been travelling for over 3 months.

I contacted the Dutch embassy to see if there was something they could do, but they said they were powerless and that I should contact the Dutch embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, as soon as i arrive in Benin.

So what now? I don’t know. I will cross into Togo within two weeks, travel around there and when I arrive in Benin I will try again. If, worst case scenario, even a splash of dash doesn’t change anything I might have to travel through Niger and Chad to travel to Cameroon.. Not too excited about that. I will try again in Togo and I hope everyone of faith prays for me and everyone without wishes me luck because in a country where EVERYTHING is “by God’s grace” I could use all the help I can get.

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RDK