Easy Way to Apply for a Visa in Nigeria

This post will hopefully help tourists or business travelers navigate the infamously hard Nigerian visa application procedure.

Passport holders from the following ECOWAS nations are exempt from visa requirements when entering Nigeria: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Do it yourself manual

Visa on Arrival for Nigeria

This mainly applies to business travelers, while some nations also allow applicants to use this method to get tourist visas.

Apply here online.

All nationals can apply for a visa on arrival, with the exception of ECOWAS nationals, who are exempt from needing one to visit Nigeria and those nations with which Nigeria has visa-free agreements.

Guidelines for the Entry Visa on Arrival Program:

Visit the Home page of Nigeria Immigration Portal

Locate & click on the appropriate application form to start the process:

1. Fill the Application form; check the ‘ I ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS FORM ‘ check box.
2. Click on ‘Submit Application’ button to view ‘Applicant details page’
3. Click on “Proceed to Online Payment”
4. Click to select Payment Currency “Pay in Dollars” option then Click on ‘Continue’ button.

Eligibility for Tourist Visas for Nigeria

All nationals can apply for a tourist visa, with the exception of ECOWAS nationals, who can visit Nigeria and other nations with which Nigeria has visa-free arrangements. To apply online, go to the immigration webpage for Nigeria.

The passport must be valid for at least six months in order to qualify for a tourist or visitor visa.

• Properly filled out visa application form.
• Two most recent passport pictures.
• Brief Introduction (from applicant).
• Proof of visa fee payment made online.
• CAC certificate of the hosting business or authorization for an NGO.
• Flight Schedule.

Only those who meet the aforementioned criteria will be admitted to Nigeria after a further interview.

Eligibility for a business visa in Nigeria

All nationalities may apply for a business visa. ECOWAS nationals and citizens of other nations with which Nigeria has visa-free travel agreements are exempt from needing a visa to enter Nigeria. To apply online, go to the immigration webpage for Nigeria.

Persons Who Qualify for a Business Visa

Foreign visitors who wish to travel to Nigeria for meetings, conferences, seminars, contract negotiations, marketing, sales, buying and distributing Nigerian goods, trade shows, job interviews, training Nigerians, emergency/relief work, crew members, staff of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), staff of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), researchers, and musical performances.

Requirements

• The passport must have at least two blank visa pages and be at least six months old.
• Two (2) recent photographs in passport size (35/40mm).
• Return flight.
• Proof of adequate funds (study indicates a $200 minimum is needed)
• Proof of a hotel reservation and the Nigerian host address.

Self-sponsored businesspeople/women may not need a Letter of Invitation, but they will still need to provide proof of enough funding.

90 days are allowed for the stay to be valid (not extendable)

Be advised that this visa is not usable for employment.

Fees: See the immigration.gov.ng portal or innovate1services.com/misc/nisFeeDetails for a list of fees.

Timeframe: 2 to 3 working days after application reception.