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Nigerian Visa: Cost, Types & How to Apply Online

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The Nigerian Visa is an important piece of document all visitors to the country must possess, except of course they live in an exempt country.

In this post we’ll share all the requirements for obtaining a Nigerian Visa no matter your country of location. In addition, you’ll get a step-by-step guide on renewing a Nigerian visa or getting one for the very first time.

Nigeria is located in the west coast of Africa. It bounded by Ghana, Cameroon Niger, Benin and Chad on different regions.

Similar to all the countries in the world, there are several requirements for visiting Nigeria.

If you plan on visiting the most populous black nation in the world, keep reading to see what you need to do.

Requirements for obtaining a Visa in Nigeria

Generally, you need to meet up with the following requirements:

  • Provide a passport with at least 6 months validity. In addition, there must be at least 2 blank visa pages left on your passport.
  • You need to provide two (2) recent passport photograph of size 35/40mm.
  • Confirmed ticket.
  • You must provide a proof you have sufficient funds for your stay in Nigeria.

However, for certain visa types there are slight variations in the requirmentments (See below).

Types of Nigerian Visa

Tourist / Visitor Visa

Tourist / visitor visa is for people traveling to Nigeria temporarily for tourism. It is also for those planning on stopping by temporarily before continuing their journeys to another destination.

Tourists / visitors must meet the following requirements:

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months, visa application form and 2 recent passport size photographs.
  • A Letter of Invitation from a company/host in Nigeria accepting immigration responsibility (not applicable to tourists).
  • Evidence of hotel booking (not applicable to those with hosts)
  • Visitors/Tourists are required to show evidence of sufficient funds
  • Visa Payment Receipt and Visa Acknowledgement Receipt issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service

Business Visa

Business visas are issued to businessmen, investors, representatives of companies or business organizations. The requirements to obtaining one is similar to that of tourist/visitor. However, self sponsored business men may not need to present a Letter of Invitation but will need to show evidence of sufficient funds

Temporary Work Permit (TWP)

Temporary work permit (TWP) is a type of visa issued to foreigners who plan to work in Nigeria for a given period of time.

Applicants are required to provide:

  1. National passport with not less than 6 months validity
  2. Printed copy of filled application form for visitors pass
  3. 2 passport size photographs (recent ones).
  4. Letter of Approval from Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service

Subject to Regularization (STR):

According to Section 8, sub–section 1, of the Nigeria Immigration Act, “no person, not being a citizen of Nigeria, may take up employment in Nigeria other than employment with the federal or state government without the consent of the Comptroller–General of Immigration”.

Therefore, all foreigners seeking to take up employment in Nigeria must get a Subject to Regularization Visa.

Aside from people seeking employment, students, researchers and missionaries seeking extended stay must obtain and STR.

requirements for getting STR visa in Nigeria include:

  1. Passport with at least 6 months validity.
  2. A completed visa form along with 4 photocopies, and four recent passport photographs
  3. 4 copies of letter of Expatriate Quota Approval issued by the Ministry of Interior
  4. Four copies of credentials, including certificates and curriculum vitae. Those documents must be vetted by a relevant official of Nigerian High Commission/Embassy in your country. Citizens of non-English speaking countries are to provide English translated copies (certified translators).
  5. Four copies of letter proving a job offer in Nigeria and 4 copies of Letter of Acceptance, signed by expatriate
  6. Visa Payment and Acknowledgement Receipt issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Nigerian visa application button
Nigerian visa application button. Photo credit NIS official website.

How to apply for a Nigerian Visa

Nigerian visa on Arrival

Applying for Nigerian visa on Arrival.
visa on Arrival application button. Photo credit: NIS official website.

Nigeria Visa on Arrival is available to visitors who want to receive their visas upon arriving the shores of Nigeria.

Here’s how to apply for Nigerian visa on arrival using the official website:

  • Visit the official portal for applying
  • Select your country and visa type and, thereafter, click on continue.
  • Complete your application and wait for approval letter.
  • After getting your approval letter, you can then embark on your journey and process the visa when you reach Nigeria.

Meanwhile, those who wish to renew their visas must need to apply afresh following the steps above.

Frequently asked questions & Answers:

What countries don’t need a visa to visit in Nigeria?

You don’t need a visa to visit Nigeria if you’re from any of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, and Togo

What countries need a visa to visit Nigeria?

Only ECOWAS nationals don’t need a Visa to visit Nigeria. Therefore, if you’re from any other part of the world you must apply for a Nigerian visa before visiting or on arrival.

How long does it take to get a Nigerian Visa?

Processing time depends on visa type, nationality of applicant and the time of year. But most applications are processed within 3-5 working days.

Is it possible to get Nigerian Visa on arrival?

Visitors who may not be able to obtain the visa at the Nigerian Embassies/ consulate in their countries of residence, maybe due to the absence, can apply for Visa on arrival.

How much does it cost to process Nigerian visas?

The cost depends on visa type and nationality of applicant. Some countries can charge as high as $300 while some charge as low as $3.

External resource:

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