Nigeria visa policy

Nigeria visa policy is a set of rules that determine entry requirements and travel restrictions to the country. All foreign nationals who would like to visit Nigeria must have a valid passport for at least 6 months and a visa when they come from a non-visa-free country.

Currently, around 60 nationalities don’t need a visa to Nigeria, mostly citizens of African countries. Also, obtaining a Nigeria eVisa for business is possible thanks to the online visa application. It is a very convenient option as no visit to the embassy is necessary.

Applicants mainly need to complete the visa form and cover the fee. Then, they will receive a visa via email in PDF form. It is advisable to print it out, as it will be checked by the proper authorities upon arrival.

All travelers who are not eligible for a Nigerian eVisa, want to travel for a different purpose than business, or for a longer time must contact the nearest Nigerian embassy to obtain a traditional visa.

Besides, the entry requirements of Nigeria demand the following documents from travelers: a passport valid for 6 months, a Nigeria Health Declaration Form, Yellow fever and polio vaccination proof (in case of traveling from the risk area), a visa (if necessary), and a COVID-19 PCR test (if you are an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated passenger above 18 years old).

Who can enter Nigeria?

All eligible travelers who meet the entry requirements can enter Nigeria. Currently, there are no visa bans for any foreign countries in Nigeria.

Check what documents you need in order to cross the border and enjoy an unproblematic stay. Note that all travelers must have a valid passport for at least 6 months.

Entry Requirements for Nigeria

The Nigerian government stated that travelers who meet the entry conditions could go to Nigeria. They need to prepare all necessary documents, such as a visa and passport, as well as vaccination proofs/testing.

Besides, a Nigeria Health Declaration Form is required. Incoming visitors need to fill it out with basic information about themselves, their trip, and their health condition.

Documents checklist for entering Nigeria

Below we present a list of necessary documents for travelers who want to visit Nigeria:

• A passport that doesn’t expire within the next 6 months
• Nigeria Health Declaration Form
• Yellow fever and polio vaccination proof (if you travel from the risk area)
• A Nigerian visa (if needed)
• COVID-19 PCR test (as an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated passenger above 18 years old).

Check all the information updated by the Nigerian government, as requirements may change anytime.

Methods of Getting a Visa for Nigeria

According to the Nigerian visa policy, around 180 countries must have a visa to go to Nigeria for tourism purposes. Some of them can submit the online visa application form and then need to visit the embassy or consulate with the necessary documents.

Approximately 20 countries can get a visa upon arrival after entering Nigeria at the checkpoints. Depending on the nationality, the period of stay may vary.

What is more, those who travel for business purposes can apply for a Nigerian eVisa. The electronic visa application process can be done online without visiting the embassy or consulate.

Nationalities that are not eligible for Nigerian eVisa, want to travel for a different reason or for a longer time, must apply for a traditional visa at the embassy.

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

Around 120 nationalities can apply for a visa to Nigeria online. The process of electronic visa application is straightforward and convenient. It was introduced by the Nigerian government mainly for business travelers as a single-entry permit valid for 14 days from the issue date.

When the visa is approved, the applicant will receive it via email in PDF form. As it will be checked at the border crossing, it is advisable to print the visa out.

Visa on arrival

A visa on arrival is available for almost all nationalities who meet requirements (except ECOWAS Nationals, as they don’t need a visa to Nigeria). After entry, travelers must wait in line and submit documents at the checkpoint to issue a visa.

Regular visa

A traditional visa must be obtained at the embassy or consulate. It can be issued for various purposes, validity, and time periods. A face-to-face appointment is necessary during the application process, which may take several weeks.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into Nigeria

The Nigeria entry requirements state which countries need a specific visa type to visit the country.

List of countries that can apply for a Nigerian eVisa:

• Andorra
• United Arab Emirates
• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Armenia
• Angola
• Argentina
• Austria
• Australia
• Azerbaijan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Barbados
• Bangladesh
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Bahrain
• Burundi
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Bahamas
• Bhutan
• Botswana
• Belarus
• Belize
• Canada
• Congo
• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Switzerland
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Serbia
• Cuba
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Djibouti
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Algeria
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Spain
• Ethiopia
• Finland
• Fiji
• Micronesia
• France
• Gabon
• Grenada
• Georgia
• Equatorial Guinea
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Hong Kong
• Honduras
• Croatia
• Haiti
• Hungary
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Israel
• India
• Iraq
• Iran
• Iceland
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Japan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Cambodia
• Kiribati
• Comoros
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• North Korea
• South Korea
• Kuwait
• Kazakhstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Saint Lucia
• Liechtenstein
• Sri Lanka
• Lesotho
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Libya
• Morocco
• Monaco
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Madagascar
• Marshall Islands
• Macedonia
• Myanmar
• Mongolia
• Macau
• Mauritania
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Maldives
• Malawi
• Mexico
• Malaysia
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nicaragua
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Nepal
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Oman
• Panama
• Peru
• New Guinea
• Philippines
• Pakistan
• Poland
• San Marino
• Somalia
• Suriname
• El Salvador
• Syria
• Swaziland
• Thailand
• Tajikistan
• Timor Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Tunisia
• Tonga
• Turkey
• Tuvalu
• Taiwan
• Tanzania
• Ukraine
• Uganda
• United States
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vatican City
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• Yemen
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Palau
• Rwanda
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Romania
• Paraguay
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Palestine
• Solomon Islands
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Antigua and Barbuda

List of countries that must apply for a traditional visa:

• Anguilla
• American Samoa
• Aruba
• Aland Islands
• Bermuda
• Cocos Islands
• Cook Islands
• Christmas Island
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• United Kingdom
• Georgia
• French Guiana
• Gibraltar
• Greenland
• Guadeloupe
• Guam
• Cayman Islands
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Martinique
• Montserrat
• New Caledonia
• Norfolk Island
• French Polynesia
• Caicos Islands
• United States
• British Virgin Islands
• Samoa
• Mayotte
• United States Virgin Islands
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Guernsey
• Saint Martin
• Saint Helena
• Reunion
• Puerto Rico
• Jersey
• Curacao
• British Indian Ocean Territory

List of countries that don’t need a visa to Nigeria:

• Burkina Faso
• Benin
• Ivory Coast
• Cameroon
• Ghana
• Gambia
• Guinea Bissau
• Guinea
• Liberia
• Mali
• Niger
• Sierra Leone
• Senegal
• Chad
• Togo
• Seychelles
• Cape Verde

Entry requirements for children

All children who are not Nigerian passport holders must have a visa and meet the same requirements as adults to enter Nigeria. They need to have a valid passport, vaccination proof (yellow fever and polio if they come from the risk areas), and Health Declaration Form.

No COVID-19 vaccination proof or testing is required from travelers below 18 years old.

Transit information

A transit visa can be obtained by all foreign citizens, but it is not necessary in the case of ECOWAS Nationals or other countries from visa agreements. The rest of the travelers must obtain a visa to transit through Nigeria and reach the final destination.

Important information

• Travelers can obtain free main visa types to visit Nigeria depending on their nationality, travel purpose, and length of stay: an eVisa, visa on arrival, or a traditional visa.
• Nationals from visa-free countries don’t need a visa to enter Nigeria.
• A Nigerian eVisa is available only for business travelers.
• To take part in a visa application process, ones must complete the application form, submit the necessary documents, and cover the fee.
• Nigerian visitors must prepare a valid passport, a visa (if needed), yellow fever and polio vaccination proof, and Nigeria Health Declaration Form.