Nigeria, Canada to set up joint team over visa delays

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— To tackle irregular migration, removal of persons without legal status

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By Omeiza Ajayi

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ABUJA — The Federal Government and the Government of Canada have agreed to establish a joint technical working group to address persistent delays in the processing of Canadian visa applications by Nigerians and develop a framework for the removal of persons without legal status in Canada.

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Head, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Interior, Mary Ali, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja following a meeting between the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, David Sproule.

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According to the statement, both sides deliberated on delays in processing Canadian visa applications by Nigerian citizens, as well as opportunities under the expanding Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement, ATA.

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Ajani, who represented the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said prolonged visa processing times had affected Nigerians, including students.

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She said some Nigerian students had, on occasions, been unable to travel to Canada to commence their academic programmes because of delays in the issuance of study permits, even after their visa applications had been approved.

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Ajani stressed the need to address the concerns through sustained dialogue and stronger institutional cooperation between the two countries.

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The meeting also discussed the expansion of the Air Transport Agreement, which is expected to facilitate the introduction of direct flights between Nigeria and Canada, eliminating the need for passengers to connect through Europe or the United States.

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Both sides expressed optimism that the expanded agreement would boost commercial ties and improve convenience for travellers.

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On migration management, the meeting addressed the development of a Standard Operating Procedure, SOP, between Nigerian authorities and the Canada Border Services Agency, CBSA, for the removal of persons without legal status in Canada.

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Ajani assured the Canadian delegation that Nigeria would designate relevant officials to engage with their Canadian counterparts and facilitate the establishment of the joint working group.

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She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Canada on immigration, travel facilitation and border management.

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Ajani also urged the Canadian authorities to give the concerns of Nigerian visa applicants due and expeditious consideration.

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Responding, Sproule acknowledged concerns over visa processing delays, describing the issue as an important pressure point in the bilateral relationship.

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He assured the Nigerian delegation that the concerns would be conveyed to the relevant Canadian immigration authorities, with a view to improving processing times and ensuring that Nigeria receives appropriate attention within the visa-processing system.

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Both sides agreed on the need to establish a small technical working group to drive the discussions and maintain regular engagement among relevant Nigerian and Canadian agencies.

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Sproule expressed appreciation for the openness of the Nigerian side and welcomed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation between the two countries.

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