Except for nationals of some African countries, visitors to Nigeria generally need a visa to enter and depart the country. You can complete an online application to apply for a Nigerian visa. However, you’ll need to print the application and mail it or take it in person to the nearest Nigerian embassy or consulate. After your application is received, the Nigerian diplomatic mission will schedule an interview where you’ll complete the process and receive your visa. You may also be eligible to receive your visa at the Port of Entry on arrival. However, your visa must be approved beforehand. You cannot apply for a visa at the Port of Entry.X
StepsMethod 1Method 1 of 3:Completing an Online Visa Application
1Go to the Nigeria Immigration Portal online. To begin the visa application process, go to https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/freshVisa and select the name of the country where you reside from the drop-down menu. Then, sign in to the Portal using your Google, Yahoo, or Open ID. If you don’t have any of those accounts or prefer not to use them, you can create a specific account on the Portal. You must have a valid email address.XOnce you’ve created an account, click the green button to fill out the entry visa application. You’ll need to choose the name of the “processing country” from a drop-down menu. Typically, this will be your home country.
2Fill out your visa application. The visa application requires you to provide information about your identity, citizenship, and background, including your educational and criminal background. Provide an answer to every question. You’ll be unable to finalize your application if you leave anything blank.XIf you’re entering Nigeria for a business reason, you will also have to provide information about your business and financial background.
3Print your application and submit it to the nearest Nigerian embassy. While you can fill out your application online, you cannot submit it electronically. Instead, you must print it and send it to the nearest Nigerian embassy or consulate. The website will identify the embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your area when you finalize your application.XIf you want to look at contact information for Nigerian diplomatic missions in advance, go through the list at https://www.embassypages.com/nigeria.After your application has been finalized, you will get an email confirmation that includes your application number and reference number. Save this email, as you will need these numbers if you want to check the status of your application.
Tip: You will also need a photocopy of your application to take with you to your interview. In addition to that copy, you may want another photocopy to keep for your records.
4Pay your visa application fee in US dollars. After you click the “submit” button to finalize your application, click the link to pay your fee online. You can use a major credit or debit card or pay by money order. Fees vary depending on the processing country. However, all application fees processed by any country other than Nigeria are in US dollars.XTo find out the amount of fees you owe in advance, go to https://immigration.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/VISA-CATEGORY-AND-FEES.pdf and scroll down until you find the name of your processing country.You don’t have to make your payment immediately. If you decide to make your payment at a later date, enter your application number and reference number to retrieve your application.Some banks and financial institutions may decline the transaction because it is associated with Nigeria. You may be able to avoid this if you notify your bank or credit card company of the transaction ahead of time, or you can simply pay with a money order.If you’re paying with a money order, you will need to enter information about the money order online. You will then mail the money order to the payment processing site using the address provided by the site.
Tip: You can only cancel your application or receive a refund of your application fees if you do so before it is received by the embassy or consulate.
Method 2Method 2 of 3:Attending Your Visa Interview
1Get a medical exam and all required vaccinations. Before you can enter Nigeria, you must get a yellow fever vaccination if you haven’t had one in the past 10 years. If you’re an adult, you also need to have an adult polio booster if you completed the childhood vaccine series.XA yellow card from the World Health Organization is required for entry as well. This document certifies that you’ve had the required vaccinations. You can get this certificate from your health care provider. They must sign the certificate verifying that they gave you the required vaccines.XTrustworthy SourceWorld Health OrganizationHealth information and news provided by the World Health OrganizationGo to source
Warning: HIV and AIDS are a significant problem in Nigeria. If you are HIV+, you may be denied entry to Nigeria on the basis that you are “undesirable for medical reasons.”
2Gather the required documents. The specific documents you’ll need to present at the Nigerian embassy or consulate depend on the type of visa you request. However, at a minimum, you will need to have at least the following original documents:XA current passport with at least 6 months validityA copy of your completed and signed applicationReceipt for your online payment2 passport-sized photos taken recentlyDocuments related to your travel, including a letter from your host or confirmation of your hotel accommodations, evidence of funds to cover your stay in Nigeria, and a valid return airline ticket
3Wait for notification of your interview date. Once your application is received by the embassy or consulate, you’ll receive a letter with a date of your scheduled interview. During your interview, a consular officer will verify your documents and take your fingerprints.XApplications are typically processed within 2 or 3 days after they are received. If you want to check the status of your application, you can do so online at https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/visaStatus. You will need your visa application number and reference number.If you need to reschedule your interview, you can also do this on the Portal.
4Go to your interview and biometrics appointment. Take your documents to the location listed in your notification letter. Try to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. Your appointment will only take 10 minutes, and appointments are scheduled back-to-back for efficiency. If you show up late, your interview will be rescheduled for the next available date.XThe consular officer may ask you questions about the information you provided on your application. Answer these questions honestly and as completely as possible.If the consular officer requires additional documents to approve your application, they’ll let you know what they need at the interview and you’ll have an opportunity to bring those documents back.You will find out at the conclusion of your interview if your visa will be granted. The consular officer will let you know when you can pick up your visa. In some situations, the embassy or consulate may mail your visa to you.Method 3Method 3 of 3:Requesting a Visa on Arrival (VoA)
1Take passport photos before you depart for Nigeria. When you arrive at the Port of Entry, you will need photos for your visa. Since they won’t take your photo when you arrive, get them taken before you leave your home country.XYou can get passport photos taken at most pharmacies and big-box discount stores, as well as most photo shops. Passport photo services have references for visa photo requirements for every country so you can be sure your photos will be acceptable.
2Draft a letter of introduction. Since you won’t be attending a visa interview, your application must be accompanied by a letter of introduction that describes briefly who you are and what your purpose is in Nigeria. At a minimum, this letter must include the following information:XYour name and nationalityYour passport numberThe purpose of your visitThe dates of your visitYour flight itineraryYour address in Nigeria or hotel reservation
Tip: Address your letter to The Comptroller General of Immigration, NIS HQ, Abuja.
3Complete your application online. Go to https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/ and click on the “Visa on Arrival” tab. Since you’ll be getting your visa at the Port of Entry, Nigeria has already been chosen as the Processing Country. Select your nationality from the drop-down menu. Then choose the type of visa you want to apply for.XIf you are not a national of an African country, only a business visa is available on arrival. Business visas are not available for anyone under the age of 18.The application requires you to provide business and financial details that demonstrate your eligibility for a VoA. Generally, you must be someone with a high net worth who has an international business reputation. Executives of multinational companies are automatically considered eligible for a VoA.You must also provide information to establish that you have a business interest in Nigeria. If you are a member of a government delegation or working for an international organization, you are also eligible for a VoA.
4Upload your supporting documents. Since you won’t be completing an interview, any original documents that support the information you provided in your application can be uploaded and submitted electronically online. At a minimum, provide digital copies of the following documents:XYour passport photoYour letter of introductionA copy of your passport data pageA copy of your return airline ticketAn invitation letter from the company hosting you, if applicable
5Pay your application fees online. After you complete your application, click the link to proceed to the payment site and make your payment. You can pay your application fees using any major credit or debit card.XApplication fees vary depending on your country of nationality. Go to https://immigration.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/VISA-CATEGORY-AND-FEES.pdf to find out your application fees.Because some bank and credit card companies decline payments linked to Nigeria, you might want to contact the bank or credit card company that issued your card ahead of time and alert them to the transaction.Print your payment receipt. You’ll need to show it at the Port of Entry to pick up your visa.
6Wait for your visa approval letter. VoA applications are typically processed within 48 hours or 2 business days. You will receive an email at the email address you provided when you applied. Print the email to take with you to the Port of Entry.XIf you don’t see the email after 2 days, check your spam folder. Emails from Nigeria may be automatically filtered by your email provider.
Tip: Your visa approval letter is only valid for 14 days. You would need to apply again and pay another application fee to travel at a later date, so schedule your application submission accordingly.
7Present all required documents when you arrive at the Port of Entry. When you arrive at the Port of Entry, go to the desk marked “Visa on Arrival.” Make sure you have the following documents with you and easily accessible:XA copy of your visa approval letterA receipt for your online paymentYour current passport with at least 6 months validity remainingA valid airline return ticket
8Complete your biometrics at the airport. Once the customs official verifies your documents at the Port of Entry, they will take your fingerprints and issue your entry visa. At that point, you’ll be approved to enter Nigeria.XEven though you have a visa approval letter, customs officers at the Port of Entry have the discretion to refuse to issue your visa.
