Nigerians are expressing frustration over the steep fees charged by firms handling visa processing for Turkey. The new visa fee structure, which ranges from N335,000 to N827,000 for single and multiple entries, has sparked outcry among applicants.
Previously, Turkey collected visa fees in dollars, with fees ranging from $317 to $500 for single entry and $213 to $400 for multiple entries in Lagos and Abuja. However, following the Nigerian government’s directive to embassies to accept naira for visa fees, Voyal Turkey, the firm managing the visa process, introduced a new fee regime denominated in naira.
In Abuja, single entry visas cost N335,408 for appointment applicants and N507,360 for walk-in applicants. Multiple entry visas are priced at N627,680 for appointment applicants and N797,280 for walk-in applicants. In Lagos, where only walk-in applications are accepted, fees are even higher, exceeding N500,000 for single entry and N827,680 for multiple entries.
Many visa applicants were caught off guard by the sudden increase in fees, describing it as excessive and unjustifiable. One applicant from Lagos, planning a business trip to Turkey, criticized the hike, comparing it unfavorably to visa fees charged by the United States. They called on the Nigerian government to intervene, warning that the exorbitant fees would negatively impact businesses.
Another applicant emphasized the urgency of government action to address the issue, highlighting the potential adverse effects on businesses if the high fees persist. They urged swift government intervention to rectify the situation and alleviate the financial burden on visa applicants.
