Nigeria:Visa Requirements

NigeriaLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

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Nigeria Visa Requirements Map

Nigeria: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • The traveler must carry a valid passport or travel document that constitutes the basis for the visa exemption. The identity information in the document must be consistent with the reservation and entry records used during the journey.
  • An electronic entry card must be completed before entry into Nigeria. The valid passport number, name, date of birth, nationality, and current contact information must be entered into the system. The information must be identical to the records in the travel document. After the application is completed, the entry card approval must be downloaded and printed and presented at border control.
  • Travelers entering Nigeria must carry a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate, i.e., Yellow Card. Health declaration, temperature measurement, symptom check, and medical evaluation when necessary may be applied at the point of entry.
  • A single minimum passport validity period and number of blank pages applicable to all travelers for visa-free entry have not been definitively specified in the central official source. Return ticket, accommodation document, proof of financial sufficiency amount, bank statement period, travel health insurance, and maximum permitted duration of stay have also not been definitively specified in the central official source as common requirements applicable to all visa exemption holders.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • The applicant must create an account on the official e-visa platform, select the visa subclass appropriate for the purpose of travel, and fill in the online application form. The form requests personal information, passport information, purpose of travel, planned entry and exit dates, and contact information. The required documents must be uploaded to the system and the fee must be paid electronically.
  • For e-visa classes, a passport valid for at least six months and a recent passport-sized photograph are generally required. The passport must have blank pages; however, the exact number of blank pages applicable to all e-visa classes has not been specified in the central official source. The number of photographs, size, date of taking limit, file format, file size, and background color have not been definitively specified in the central official source as a single technical standard for all e-visa classes.
  • A scan or copy of the biographical data page of the passport may be requested in the electronic checklist of the selected visa class. The personalized checklist generated by the system may vary according to nationality, purpose of travel, visa subclass, and information provided.
  • For tourism and social visit applications, a return ticket, hotel reservation or host address, and proof of sufficient financial means are generally required. For tourism and single-entry social visit classes, a bank statement for the last 180 days is requested. The minimum balance required in the account has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • For a social visit application, an invitation letter stating that the inviting person accepts immigration responsibility and a copy of the host's passport or Nigerian residence permit are requested. The invitation letter must clearly show the applicant's purpose of visit and accommodation arrangements.
  • For business trips, an invitation letter from the inviting Nigerian company, the company's Corporate Affairs Commission registration certificate, return ticket, and hotel reservation or host address may be requested. The business e-visa is limited to permitted activities such as meetings, conferences, seminars, training, contract negotiations, trade fairs, marketing, sales, purchasing, and business meetings; it does not grant the right to regular employment.
  • For applications for sports, creative arts, study trip, academic exchange, cultural exchange, and emergency relief purposes, purpose-specific documents such as event invitation, relevant institution approval, educational institution acceptance or invitation letter, academic documents, memorandum of understanding or aid organization letter are requested. These documents are requested only from applicants for the relevant visa subclass.
  • For applicants under eighteen years of age, a birth certificate and parental consent are requested in the relevant short visit classes. For travel with a legal guardian, guardian consent, passport information of the parent or guardian, photograph, and visa request letter may also be requested in the relevant subclass. The notarization requirement for the consent may vary according to the mission applied to.
  • The e-visa fee varies according to nationality, visa subclass, and single or multiple entry entitlement. There is no single fee applicable to all applicants. Payment is made by valid credit or debit card or other electronic payment methods supported on the portal. The available payment method may vary according to the application portal and the country of application.
  • The target processing time for an e-visa is 48 hours, provided there is no local objection. The time may be extended due to high volume or missing documents. It is recommended that the application be completed at least two to four weeks before the planned travel.
  • Tourism, single-entry business, and single-entry social visit e-visas must generally be used within 90 days from the date of issuance and provide a maximum stay of 30 days per single entry. The validity, number of entries, and duration of stay for transit, multiple-entry business, frequent traveler executive, emergency relief, and persons returning with foreign passport classes are different. The applicant must base on the period indicated for the selected subclass.
  • Short-term e-visas cannot be converted into a work or residence permit. Activities other than the permitted purpose of travel cannot be carried out. For long-term employment, study, or residence, an appropriate consular visa must be obtained before travel.
  • The approved e-visa is sent by email as an electronic approval document containing a QR code and reference number. The document must be printed, carried during travel, and presented together with the passport at the entry point. Border officials may re-verify documents and apply an entry record or stamp in the passport.
  • Before entry into Nigeria, the electronic entry card must be completed, the approval document printed, and presented at border control. Carrying a valid Yellow Card is mandatory. Travel health insurance has not been stated as a common requirement for all e-visa classes; the minimum insurance coverage has not been definitively specified in the central official source.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • A visa application processed through an embassy or consulate must be initiated on the official regular visa portal. The applicant must create an account, select the appropriate short visit, temporary residence, or permanent residence subclass, complete the online form, upload documents, and pay the required fee. Then the appointment, document submission, interview, and biometric enrollment procedure of the mission applied to must be followed.
  • Applications are generally made to the unit in the country where the applicant legally resides or at the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission. For some employment and regulated visa classes, a residence of at least six months in the country of application may be required. The mission may request a residence permit or similar document showing legal residence.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months for most visa classes. Two blank passport pages are explicitly requested in some diplomatic, temporary residence, and permanent residence subclasses. Some foreign missions may request more blank pages under local processing procedure. A single number of blank pages applicable to all consular visas has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • A separate and detailed central standard applicable to all applicants regarding biometric passport, machine-readable passport, or damaged passport has not been published. The passport must be valid, legible, and suitable for visa issuance.
  • The application photograph is mostly described as a passport-sized photograph. In some temporary and permanent residence visa classes, a recent, clear photograph with a white background is explicitly requested. The exact size, number, file format, and technical resolution of the photograph have not been definitively specified in the central official source for all missions and visa classes.
  • For diplomatic or official short visits, an official or diplomatic passport valid for at least six months, the required blank pages, and a note verbale explaining the purpose of travel are requested.
  • For social visit visas, an invitation letter, the inviting person's Nigerian passport or valid residence permit, return ticket, accommodation information, and proof of financial sufficiency may be requested. In classes where the inviting person must accept immigration responsibility, the invitation letter must cover accommodation, maintenance, transportation, and, if necessary, repatriation responsibility.
  • For short visits for journalism, medical treatment, religious activity, humanitarian service, non-governmental organization, or international organization activity, purpose-specific documents such as relevant ministry or institution permit, media accreditation, hospital referral or admission letter, religious organization invitation, organization registration, or memorandum of understanding with the government are requested.
  • For a temporary work permit application, a pre-approval or Visa Authority letter issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, a passport valid for at least six months, and a return or onward travel ticket are required. The pre-approval process is initiated by the inviting company in Nigeria. This visa may only be used for the approved expertise or project assignments.
  • For an employment visa, an employment contract or job offer letter, the applicant's acceptance letter, the employer's application accepting immigration responsibility, approved expatriate quota, diploma and professional qualification documents, curriculum vitae, and for senior executive applications, a board resolution may be requested. In classes where it is required after entry into Nigeria, residence and work permit procedures must be completed.
  • For students, interns, academic staff, and their dependents, an acceptance or enrollment letter, educational institution application, sponsor or financial support proof, birth or marriage certificate showing the relationship, and accommodation information may be requested.
  • For permanent residence visas, depending on the application reason, a certified marriage or birth certificate, sponsor's passport or national identity document, rental agreement or utility bill showing the residential address in Nigeria, police clearance certificate, investment documents, capital proof, professional qualification documents, or pension income proof may be requested.
  • The certification, notarization, translation, legalization, or apostille requirements for documents showing birth, marriage, and family ties vary according to visa subclass and the mission applied to. A single central translation and certification standard applicable to all consular applications has not been published.
  • The language of the application form, signature format, number of physical documents, number of photographs, and notarization requirement for parental consent may vary according to the mission. The local checklist of the embassy or consulate applied to must also be followed.
  • Consular visa fees vary according to nationality, visa subclass, and number of entries. The basic fee is paid online. The mission or authorized application center may also apply a local service fee and determine a different payment method. There is no single fee applicable to all applicants.
  • In the 2026 central service standard, the processing target for consular visas is indicated as 10 days from the completion of the interview and biometric enrollment. Pre-approval, security check, missing documents, mission workload, or requirement for an additional interview may extend the time.
  • The validity of the visa, permitted duration of stay, and single or multiple entry entitlement are determined according to the subclass. There is no common single validity or duration of stay for short visit, temporary work, employment, student, family, investment, and permanent residence visas. The applicant must base on the period specified in the visa document and the relevant subclass page.
  • The competent authority may call the applicant for an interview, collect biometric data, and request additional documents. The issuance of a visa does not constitute a guarantee of definite entry into the country; entry conditions may be re-examined by border officials.
  • Before entry into Nigeria, the electronic entry card must be completed, the approval printed, and presented at the border. Carrying a valid Yellow Card is mandatory. A common travel health insurance requirement and minimum insurance coverage applicable to all consular visas have not been definitively specified in the central official source.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • Transit travelers who will enter the country by passing through Nigerian border control must apply for an F3B transit e-visa. The application must include a passport valid for at least six months, a passport-sized photograph, a confirmed travel ticket to the next country, a bank statement for the last 30 days, and, if necessary, a visa providing the right to enter the final destination country. If an overnight stay is planned, a hotel reservation or host address in Nigeria is required.
  • The minimum amount required in the bank account for the transit e-visa has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The size, background, number, and technical file specifications of the photograph have also not been definitively specified.
  • For transit e-visa applicants under eighteen years of age, a birth certificate and parental consent are required. The child must travel accompanied by an adult.
  • The application must be made through the official e-visa portal, documents uploaded, and the fee paid online. The processing target is 48 hours, provided there is no local objection. Due to the possibility of high volume or missing documents, it is recommended that the application be made two to four weeks before travel.
  • The F3B transit e-visa is valid for one to seven days from the date of issuance and the duration of stay cannot exceed seven days. The visa cannot be extended, may only be used for transit purposes, and does not grant the right to work. Group application may be supported on the relevant portal; each traveler must meet separate document and fee requirements.
  • For passengers who will remain in the international transit area of the airport without entering Nigerian territory, there is an F3A airport transit facility. The confirmed onward flight must depart within 48 hours. The passenger cannot pass through immigration control, cannot leave the transit area, and cannot enter the country. No formal visa is issued in this facility and the period cannot be extended. The airline and the airside transit conditions of the airport used must be verified separately before travel.
  • For transit travel passing through Nigerian border control, the electronic entry card must be completed, the approval document printed, and a valid Yellow Card carried.
Population
242,431,832(2026 est.)
Official language
English
Government type
Federal presidential republic
Continent
Africa
Capital
Abuja
Currency
Nigerian naira
Area
923,768 km²
Phone code
+234

Nigeria: Key Destinations

Abuja serves as the capital and political hub of Nigeria. Lagos, the largest city and main entry point, offers a dynamic urban experience with its busy port and international airport.

Nigeria boasts diverse cultural traditions, from the Yoruba festivals in the southwest to the Hausa markets in the north. The Niger Delta and Atlantic coastline provide natural attractions, while Lagos and Port Harcourt are key business centers.

Travelers often begin in Lagos and explore southward along the coast, or head north to Abuja and Kano. Domestic flights connect major cities, and road trips offer glimpses of rural life and national parks.