Planning a trip to Nigeria requires careful attention to passport and visa regulations. This guide provides detailed information on how to navigate the process of obtaining the necessary travel documents, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey.
General Information
All Nigerian Visa applicants are required to visit a Visa Processing Centre for Biometrics enrollment. An appointment is mandatory for every visit at the OIS visa processing center. Kindly note that appointment duration per applicant is limited to ten minutes. Failure to meet up with an appointment on the stipulated date, within the appointment window will result in appointment cancellation and the need to reschedule the appointment to another day. Kindly note that children under the age of five and adults over the age of sixty-five are not required to visit a Visa Processing Center. Physical passport photographs are not required for applicants between ages five and sixty-four.
Applicants for a Nigerian Visa can visit OIS Services in New York on their appointment date to submit their Nigerian Visa Application. This section itemizes requirements needed to apply for a Visa to visit Nigeria. Once completed, applicants can submit application and required documents at the approved Visa Application Centre i.e. Kindly note that an appointment is mandatory for every visit to our approved Visa Application Centers.
Passports must be valid for at least 180 days after the intended date of departure to Nigeria. The person(s) exercising Parental authority or the Legal Guardianship over a minor must sign on behalf of the minor. Applicants’ fingerprints (biometrics) will be taken upon successful submission of application at OIS Office in New York.
Nigerian e-Visa
The Nigerian e-Visa is a short-visit visa that can be applied for online without requiring applicants to visit Nigerian Embassies, High Commissions or Consulates. Kindly note that the maximum stay allowed with a Nigerian E-Visa is 90 days. After successfully submitting your application, you will be redirected to a page containing your Application ID and Reference Number. You can record this information before proceeding. Close the screen to proceed to payment or to submit additional Visa Applications. Applicants may also choose to make a payment at a later date. Note that all online Application payments are valid for a period of six months from the date of submission.
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Types of Nigerian Visas and Requirements
Nigeria offers various types of visas, each tailored to specific travel purposes. Here's an overview of the most common visa types and their corresponding requirements:
Visitor and Tourist Visas
Visitor and Tourist Visas, when issued, are valid for a 90-day period of stay from date of entry into Nigeria. Additionally, the approved Period of Stay begins from Date of Entry. However, applicants will have a period of 90 days from visa issue date to make use of the Entry Visa after which time, the Visa becomes invalid and the Applicant will have to re-apply.
Requirements:
- Original Passport and copy of Passport Data Page(s).
- Copy of your online Nigerian Visa Application Form.
- Flight itinerary for the trip.
Business Visa
For travelers visiting Nigeria for business-related activities.
Requirements:
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- Original Passport and copy of Passport Data Page(s).
- Copy of Applicants online Visa Application Form.
- Business invitation on Business Letterhead, addressed to the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York.
Kindly note that travelers on Religious or Journalistic visit fall under the business category but do not need to provide a Letter of Introduction from their Employer. However, these applications can take up to six weeks to process.
Transit Visa
A Transit Visa is required if an applicant will have need to leave an Airport within Nigeria, and therefore enter the country, before completing a journey.
Requirements:
- Original Passport and copy of Passport Data Page(s).
- Copy of Applicants online Visa Application Form.
Subject to Regulation (STR) Visa
Please note that Subject to Regulation (STR) Visas are issued with approval to stay for a period of two years.
Requirements:
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- Original Passport and copy of Applicants Passport Data Page(s).
- Copy of Applicants online Visa Application Form.
- Page Set 2: A copy of the Letter of Request from the Host Company addressed to the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York requesting for an STR Visa for the applicant.
Please note that Applicants will also need to submit original copies of Certificates for inspection.
Other Visa Types
- Diplomatic/Official Visa: Issued to non-accredited diplomats for official business. Requires a diplomatic passport and a supporting note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Journalist Visa: Enables media practitioners to engage in official reporting, requiring clearance from relevant bodies and standard travel documents.
- Medical Tourism Visa: For individuals seeking medical treatment in Nigeria, requiring hospital referral letters and proof of funds.
- Pilgrimage Visa: For followers of a religion attending religious activities, needing a covering letter from a religious body and travel bookings.
- Humanitarian Service Visa: Grants access to humanitarian workers aiding in charitable projects, requiring an MOU or clearance from the National Planning Commission.
- Tourism Visa: A single-entry visa for tourism and sightseeing, requiring evidence of accommodation and sufficient funds.
- Sports Visa: For athletes and officials participating in sports events, needing an invitation letter and endorsement by sports authorities.
- Entertainment Visa: Permits entry for performers and artists to showcase their talents, requiring an invitation letter and necessary endorsements.
- Study Tour Visa: For students on a short academic study tour, requiring proof of enrollment and evidence of funds.
- Educational Exchange Visa: For educational exchange visits under formal agreements, needing letters of invitation and acceptance from Nigerian institutions.
- Emergency Relief Visa: Issued to emergency or relief personnel for urgent assistance missions, requiring a letter from a relevant agency and travel documents.
- Nigerian Descent Visa: For individuals born Nigerian but traveling on another nationality’s passport, requiring evidence of Nigerian heritage.
- Social Visit Visa: For a social visit to family or friends in Nigeria, needing an invitation letter from the host and proof of funds.
- Reciprocal Visa: Offered on a reciprocal basis to nationals of countries that grant Nigerians similar privileges.
Long Term Visas
- Permanent Residence Visas: Permit certain class of individuals to obtain permanent residence status in Nigeria.
- Temporary Work Permit (TWP): Permits experts to provide specialized skills for up to 90 days, with pre-approval required.
- Multiple Entry TWP: Lasting up to six months for specialists performing tasks like equipment installations.
- Diplomatic Visa: Given to diplomats officially assigned to Nigeria, allowing them to fulfill diplomatic duties for up to two years (renewable).
- Employment Visa: For foreign nationals hired under an approved Expatriate Quota, valid for an initial 90-day entry, then a residence/work permit is typically granted for two years (renewable).
- Free Zone Employment Visa: For foreign nationals employed within a Nigerian Free Zone, linked to Free Zone regulations.
- Government Employment Visa: Enables expatriates to work directly for the Nigerian government, requiring an offer letter and acceptance of Immigration Responsibility.
- INGO Employment Visa: For foreign workers employed by International Non-Governmental Organizations in Nigeria, requiring an employment contract and an MOU.
- Religious Employment Visa: Applies to foreign clerics taking up long-term religious employment, needing pre-approval and is valid for two years, renewable.
- Student Visa: Issued to individuals who seek to pursue full-time studies at approved Nigerian educational institutions, commonly valid for the duration of the academic program (e.g., one year at a time, renewable), allowing only educational activities.
- Internship Visa: Allows foreign nationals to undertake internships or practical training with a recognized Nigerian organization or institution, validity can range from a few months up to one year, depending on the program’s length, with possible renewal options.
- Spousal Visa: For foreign nationals legally married to Nigerian citizens, grants the right to reside in Nigeria as the spouse of a Nigerian.
- Nigerian Descent Visa: Applies to individuals born Nigerian under the law but who have formally renounced Nigerian citizenship, provides temporary entry privileges for personal, business, or family reasons.
- Small Scale Investor Visa: For foreign investors establishing or expanding a small-scale business in Nigeria, grants residence rights associated with running or managing the enterprise, with renewal based on continued compliance and evidence of active business operations.
- Medium Scale Investor Visa: Designed for medium-scale investors seeking to operate or manage Nigerian businesses of moderate size, Proof of funds and a demonstrated intent to contribute to Nigeria’s economy are essential.
- Large Scale Investor Visa: Targets substantial foreign investors who own or manage large-scale businesses in Nigeria, the visa provides residency for key executives to run daily affairs, hire staff, and coordinate expansion.
- Ultra Large Scale Investor Visa: Reserved for investors leading major multinational or ultra-large corporations with major footprints in Nigeria, Holders gain multi-year residency to oversee strategic operations.
- Oil, Gas and Power Sector Investor Visa: Specialized investor visa for significant ventures in Nigeria’s oil, gas, or power sectors, Residency is granted to key management for operations, expansions, and strategic direction.
- Special Professional Skills Visa: Issued to professionals with specialized skills or advanced qualifications in fields vital to Nigeria’s development, This visa enables extended residence for those contributing expertise in sectors like technology, healthcare, engineering, or academia.
- Retiree Visa: Caters to individuals already residing and retiring in Nigeria, possibly after holding other visa categories, The visa allows long-term residency without formal employment.
- Overseas Retiree Visa: For foreign retirees wishing to relocate to Nigeria from overseas, It permits an extended stay or residence, allowing retirees to live in Nigeria without engaging in paid work.
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Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Nigeria offers a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for eligible travelers, allowing them to obtain a visa upon entry. However, Nigeria's "Visa on Arrival" requires pre-approval. You must receive a Visa on Arrival approval document from a Nigerian embassy or consulate prior to travel to Nigeria. A Visa on Arrival is only available for the purpose of business travel, as defined by the Nigerian government. No Visa on Arrival is available for tourism. If you attempt to travel to Nigeria without a visa issued into your passport or a Visa on Arrival approval document from a Nigerian embassy or consulate, you will be refused entry.
Exemptions
Certain individuals are exempt from needing a visa to enter Nigeria:
- Do not need a visa, a holder of a valid biometric residence permit issued by one of the Schengen member states or a valid multi-entry Schengen Visa.
- A holder of a valid Laissez-Passer issued by United Nations Organizations, NATO, OSCE, Council of Europe or European Union.
- A holder of a valid travel documents issued by EU Member and Schengen States, United States of America, Canada, Australia and Japan based on the 1951 Convention on Refugee Status or the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons, as well as holders of valid travel documents for foreigners.
Important Considerations
This information is subject to change. The Nigerian Fire Arms Act (1990) provides that no person shall have in his possession or under his control any firearm or ammunition except such person that has a license from the President or from the Inspector General of Police.
You cannot legally depart Nigeria unless you can prove, by presenting your visa and entry stamp, that you entered Nigeria legally. In addition, if you exceed your authorized period of stay (as determined by the duration of stay given by the entry officer), you will be required to pay a fine before being allowed to depart.
Health Requirements
A World Health Organization (WHO) yellow card is required for entry into the country. The Nigerian authorities require a Yellow Fever vaccination within the past ten years and that adults have a Polio booster after the original childhood vaccine series. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes a country-specific list of recommended vaccines to receive prior to arrival.
Safety and Security
Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack -including knives, firearms, and vehicles - to target crowds more effectively. Crime: Muggings, assaults, burglaries, car-jackings, rape, kidnappings, and extortion occur regularly.
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities.
Piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea continue to trend upwards. Pirates/armed groups operating in the region typically carry out attacks on vessels using automatic weapons.
Consensual, same-sex sexual relations are illegal in Nigeria. Entering same-sex marriage contracts and civil unions is also criminalized, with punishments including fines and prison sentences of up to 14 years.
The law in Nigeria prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities; however, the law is very unevenly enforced.
Health and Medical Information
Nigerian medical facilities are generally poorly equipped. Many medicines are unavailable, including medications for diabetes or asthma. Take care when purchasing medicines locally, as counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a common problem, and may be difficult to distinguish from genuine medications.
Tap water is unsafe. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe. Centers for Disease Control lists Nigeria as “critically high risk” for Malaria. Avoid being outdoors during dusk and dawn and wear clothing over exposed skin whenever possible.
Road Conditions and Safety
Roads are generally in poor condition, causing damage to vehicles and contributing to hazardous traffic conditions. There are few working traffic lights or stop signs, and few traffic officers to manage traffic during power outages. All drivers and passengers should wear seat belts, lock doors, and keep windows closed.
Air Quality
Reliable air quality data for Nigeria is limited. However, satellite data suggests that on average it is significantly worse than in the United States. Poor waste management practices and commercial pollution exacerbate seasonal weather variations that affect air quality. The air quality varies considerably and fluctuates with the seasons. It is typically at its worst from the end of November to mid-March, which is the harmattan season (a very dry season in West Africa when winds blow sand and dust from the Sahara Desert).
Summary of Visa Types and Requirements
Below is a summary table of the different visa types discussed and their primary requirements:
| Visa Type | Purpose | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa | Tourism, Leisure | Passport, Application Form, Flight Itinerary, Hotel Confirmation |
| Business Visa | Business Meetings, Conferences | Passport, Application Form, Business Invitation Letter |
| Transit Visa | Transit Through Nigeria | Passport, Application Form |
| STR Visa | Employment (Subject to Regulation) | Passport, Application Form, Host Company Letter |
| Student Visa | Full-time Studies | Passport, Admission Letter, Proof of Funds |
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