Visa on arrival process

This is to notify the General Public that Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rolled out a new Visa on Arrival Application Process for all Business Travelers and African Union Countries except ECOWAS member Countries.

Accordingly, all visitors coming to Nigeria from these countries shall be required to follow the procedure below:

The VoA facility is available to two categories of travelers:

1. Frequently traveled High Net Worth Investors with business interest in Nigeria.
2. Citizens of African Countries.
   

Eligibility

• Frequently travelled Business Persons of International Repute
• Executives of Multinational Companies
• Members of Government Delegations
• Holders of United Nations Laissez-Passer
• Holders of African Union Laissez-Passer,
• Holders of any other Official travel documents of other recognized International Organizations who intend to visit Nigeria.

Note: Visa on Arrival is available to citizens of all countries except ECOWAS Nationals who do not require visa to visit Nigeria and other countries which Nigeria has entered into visa abolition agreements.

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Business Travelers

How to Apply for Visa on Arrival (Business Travelers)

Step 1: Apply and Make Payment online

1. To begin your application, please visit the NIS portal at https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/freshVisa and select Visa on Arrival.
2. Complete Application and make payments
3. You will be required to upload the following original documents:

1. Passport Photo
2. Introduction/Application Letter
3. Copy of Passport Data Page
4. Copy of Airline Return Ticket
5. Invitation Letter from Host Company
6. Corporate Affairs Commission Certificate from Host Company, or in case of NGO’s a letter of Permission.

NB- Introduction/Application Letter should be addressed to The Comptroller General of Immigration, NIS HQ, Abuja. Stating the following:

• Name of Applicant indicating Nationality
• Passport number of Applicant
• Purpose of visit
• Proposed date of visit
• Proposed port of entry
• Flight itinerary
• Address in Nigeria or Hotel Reservation

4. Once application is submitted successfully, a printable receipt would be issued.
5. The application would be processed, after which, an Approval confirmation and Approval letter would be sent to your email within 48hrs (2 working days).

Note: Successful online payment is not an approval. Applicant should not proceed to Nigeria until receipt of ‘Visa on Arrival Approval Letter’.

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Step 2: Arrive at the Port of Entry and proceed for biometric enrolment, visa issuance and Immigration Clearance

Upon arrival at the Port of Entry, proceed to the desk marked ‘Visa on Arrival’ for biometric enrolment and issuance of entry Visa. Present the following documents at the Port of Entry:

• Visa Approval Letter, valid for 14 days from the date of issuance

• Evidence of online payment

• Valid Passport with minimum of six months validity

• Valid return ticket

AFRICAN NATIONALS

How to Apply for Visa on Arrival (African Nationals)

Step 1: Apply and Make Payment online

1. To begin your application, please visit the NIS portal at https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/freshVisa and select Visa on Arrival.
2. Complete Application and make payments
3. You will be required to upload the following original documents:

• Passport Photo
• Introduction/Application Letter
• Copy of Passport Data Page
• Copy of Airline Return Ticket

NB- Introduction/Application Letter should be addressed to The Comptroller General of Immigration, NIS HQ, Abuja. Stating the following:

• Name of Applicant indicating Nationality
• Passport number of Applicant
• Purpose of visit
• Proposed date of visit
• Proposed port of entry
• Flight itinerary
• Address in Nigeria or Hotel Reservation
  

4. Once application is submitted successfully, a printable receipt would be issued, with another copy sent to your email.
5. The application would be processed, after which, an Approval confirmation and Approval letter would be sent to your email within 48hrs (2 working days).

Note: Successful online payment is not an approval. Applicant should not proceed to Nigeria until receipt of ‘Visa on Arrival Approval Letter’.

Step 2: Arrive at the Port of Entry and proceed for Biometric Enrolment, visa issuance and Immigration Clearance

Upon arrival at the Port of Entry, proceed to the desk marked ‘Visa on Arrival’ for Biometric Enrolment and issuance of entry Visa. Present the following documents in hard copy at the Port of Entry:

• Visa Approval Letter (Pre-approved visa letter), valid for 14 days from the date of issuance
• Evidence of online payment
• Valid Passport with minimum of six months validity
• Valid return ticket
  

‍Eligibility

Tourist Visa is available to citizens of all countries except ECOWAS Nationals who do not require visa to visit Nigeria and other countries which Nigeria has entered into visa abolition agreements.

Categories:

1. Foreign Travellers who wish to visit Nigeria for the purpose of Tourism.
2. Foreign Travellers who wish to visit family and friends.

Requirements

For the purpose of Tourism.

1. Passport valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages for endorsement.
2. Valid return ticket.
3. Evidence of sufficient funds.
4. Evidence of Hotel Reservation.

To visit family and friends.

5. Passport valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages for endorsement.
6. Valid return ticket.
7. Evidence of sufficient funds
8. Address of host in Nigeria or Evidence of hotel reservation.
9. Invitation letter from host in Nigeria.

Validity

Valid for 90 days

Caution: Note that this Visa is not valid for employment.

How to apply

Step 1:

Apply online.

Complete the online visa application here and print completed form.

Step 2:

Pay online here and print payment receipt.

Step 3:

Affix 2 passport size photographs to completed Visa Form IMM 22, along with the other requirements and submit through any of the following:

1. Via Post to the Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of Nigeria where applicant is Resident
2. In person at designated Visa Application Centre (where applicable) or,
3. In person at the Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of Nigeria where applicant is Resident

Note: Applicant may be invited for interview if necessary.

Timeline

2 – 3 working days from receipt of application.

Fees

See table of fees here.

Note: Obtainable at Nigerian Missions

The NIS does not have control over the activities or timelines of concierge or Agents patronised by Visa Applicants.

Eligibility

• Transit Visa is available to citizens of all countries except ECOWAS Nationals who do not require visa to visit Nigeria and other countries which Nigeria has entered into visa abolition agreements.
• Foreign Travelers wishing to enter Nigeria for onward destination outside the country.

Requirements

On Arrival

• Passport valid for not less than 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages for endorsement.
• Two (2) recent passport sized (35/40mm) photograph.
• Confirmed ticket of connecting flight within 48hrs
• Evidence of sufficient funds

At Nigerian Missions

• Passport valid for not less than 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages for endorsement.
• Two (2) recent passport sized (35/40mm) photograph.
• Confirmed ticket to destination outside Nigeria.
• Evidence of sufficient funds.

Validity

• 48hrs for Transit Visa obtained on Arrival
• 7 days Maximum period of stay for Transit Visa obtained at the Nigerian Mission.

Caution: Note that this Visa is not valid for employment.

How to apply

1. On Arrival at International Airport in Nigeria.

• Submit request for Transit Visa
• Make payment online

OR

2. At the Nigerian Embassies/High Commissions/Consulates through the following procedure:

Step 1: Apply online. Complete the online visa application here and print completed form.

Step 2: Pay online here and print payment receipt.

Step 3: Affix 2 passport sized (35/40mm) photographs on white background to completed Visa Form IMM22, along with the other requirements and submit through any of the following:

1. Via Post to the Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of Nigeria where applicant is Resident
2. In person at designated Visa Application Centre (where applicable) or,
3. In person at the Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of Nigeria where applicant is Resident

Note: Applicant may be invited for interview if necessary.

Timeline

• 2 – 3 working days from receipt of application

Fees

See table of fees here.

• Note: Gratis if arrived on board a Nigerian Carrier.
  

• *Decision on applications shall be communicated through applicant’s email, postal address or telephone number(s) supplied on the application form.

Obtainable at Nigerian Missions, except for special cases where Visa is issued on Arrival in Nigeria (See VoA)

Business Visa is available to citizens of all countries except ECOWAS Nationals who do not require visa to visit Nigeria and other countries which Nigeria has entered into visa abolition agreements.

Eligibility

Foreign Travelers who wish to visit Nigeria for the purpose of Meeting, Conference, Seminar, Contract Negotiation, Marketing, Sales, Purchase distribution of Nigerian Goods, Trade Fairs, Job Interviews, Training of Nigerians (Humanitarian Services), Emergency/Relief work, Crew members, Staff of NGOs, Staff of INGOs, Researchers, Musical Concerts.

Requirements

• Passport valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages for endorsement.
• Two (2) recent passport sized (35/40mm) photograph.
• Return ticket.
• Evidence of sufficient funds.
• Evidence of Hotel Reservation/host address in Nigeria.

Validity

Validity of stay is 90 days (not extendable)

Caution: Note that this Visa is not valid for employment.

How to apply

Step 1:

Apply online

Complete the online visa application here and print completed form.

Step 2:

Pay online here and print payment receipt.

Step 3:

Affix 2 passport sized photographs to completed Visa Form IMM22, along with the other requirements and submit through any of the following:

1. Via Post to the Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of Nigeria where applicant is Resident
2. In person at designated Visa Application Centre (where applicable) or,
3. In person at the Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of Nigeria where applicant is Resident

Timeline

2 – 3 working days from receipt of application.

Fees

See table of fees here

Eligibility

• Visiting Heads of States and their families
• Top officials of Government and their families
• Accredited Diplomats and their families
• Holders of United Nations / International Agencies Diplomatic Passport and Laisser Passez

Requirements

1. Diplomatic, Official or Standard (for dependants of Diplomats) passports valid for not less than six (6) months with at least two blank visa pages for endorsement.
2. Two (2) recent passport-sized (35/40mm) photograph
3. Note Verbale from Foreign Ministry of applicant’s home country or appropriate International Organization.

Validity

Valid for 90 days

How to Apply for Diplomatic Visa

Step 1: Apply online and complete the online visa application form IMM22 and print two (2) copies of the completed form.

Step 2: Make online payment here and print your payment receipt.

NB: Successful online payment is NOT AN APPROVAL for Diplomatic Visa

Step 3: Affix 2 passport sized photographs to completed Visa Form IMM22, along with the other requirements and submit through any of the following:

1. Via Post to the Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of Nigeria where applicant is Resident
2. In person at designated Visa Application Centre (where applicable) or,
3. In person at the Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of Nigeria where applicant is Resident.

Timeline

2-3 working days from receipt of application.

Fees

Issued “Gratis” at Nigerian Missions Abroad