Nigeria visa guide 2026 — requirements, e-Visa & costs
Everything you need to get your Nigeria visa sorted. Step-by-step e-Visa process, costs by nationality, required documents, and the mistakes that get people rejected. Don't let your visa be the reason you miss Detty December.
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Nigeria. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel. No certificate = no entry.
Who needs a visa for Nigeria?
UK, US & Canadian citizens — visa required
If you hold a British, American, or Canadian passport, you need a visa before travelling to Nigeria. No exceptions. The good news: you can apply for an e-Visa online in under 20 minutes, and approval typically takes 48-72 hours.
Nigerian passport holders (dual nationality) — no visa needed
If you have a valid Nigerian passport, enter on that — no visa required. This applies even if you also hold UK, US, or Canadian citizenship.
Expired Nigerian passport? Renew it instead.
If you're Nigerian diaspora with an expired Nigerian passport, renewing it (4-6 weeks, ~$100-150) is almost always faster and cheaper than applying for a visa on your foreign passport. Contact your nearest Nigerian embassy/consulate to start the renewal process.
ECOWAS nationals — no visa needed
Citizens of ECOWAS member states (Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, etc.) can enter Nigeria visa-free for up to 90 days with a valid passport.
Types of Nigeria visa
Choose the right visa for your trip. Most travellers need the Tourist Visa (STR).
Tourist Visa (STR)
Most commonMost common choice. Single or multiple entry available.
Business Visa (STR)
Requires an invitation letter from a Nigerian company.
Transit Visa
Only needed if you leave the airport during layover.
How to apply for a Nigeria e-Visa
The entire process is online through the Nigeria Immigration Service portal (immigration.gov.ng). Here's how to get it right first time.
Create an account on the NIS portal
Go to the Nigeria Immigration Service e-Visa portal (immigration.gov.ng) and register with your email. You'll receive a confirmation email — check spam if it doesn't arrive within 5 minutes.
Select your visa type and fill the application
Choose 'Tourist Visa (STR)' for holiday travel. Fill in personal details, travel dates, accommodation address in Nigeria, and purpose of visit. Be honest and specific — vague answers trigger rejections.
Upload required documents
Passport bio page (scanned, clear), passport photo (white background), flight itinerary or booking confirmation, proof of accommodation, bank statement (last 3 months), invitation letter (if business visa).
Pay the visa fee online
Pay with a debit/credit card directly on the portal. Fees are non-refundable. Keep your payment receipt — you may need it at the embassy or on arrival.
Wait for processing (48-72 hours)
Standard processing takes 48-72 hours. You'll receive an email notification. During peak season (November-January), processing can take up to 2 weeks. Check your portal dashboard for status updates.
Download and print your e-Visa
Once approved, download your e-Visa from the portal. Print a colour copy to carry with your passport. Immigration officers at Lagos and Abuja airports will verify it on arrival.
How much does a Nigeria visa cost?
Visa fees vary by nationality and are non-refundable. Budget for these when planning your trip.
Fees are non-refundable — even if your application is rejected. Double-check every document before submitting. Additional processing or service fees may apply depending on your submission method.
Processing times
How long you'll wait depends on when you apply.
Standard (off-peak)
48-72 hoursFebruary-October. Fastest processing window.
Peak season (Nov-Jan)
1-2 weeksDetty December rush. Apply at least 4 weeks ahead.
Embassy submission
5-10 business daysPhysical submission at Nigerian High Commission/Embassy.
Visa on Arrival approval
48 hours - 2 weeksPre-approval letter processing varies widely.
What you need to apply
Missing a single document is the #1 reason for rejection. Use this checklist.
Visa on Arrival (VoA)
Nigeria offers a Visa on Arrival programme — but it's not what you think.
You cannot just show up at the airport. The Visa on Arrival requires a pre-approval letter that you must obtain online before travelling. Without it, you will be denied boarding by your airline.
How VoA works:
Apply online through the NIS portal (immigration.gov.ng) for a VoA approval letter
Receive your approval letter via email (48 hours - 2 weeks)
Present the approval letter at check-in — airlines will verify it before boarding
On arrival at Lagos or Abuja airport, proceed to the VoA desk with your letter, passport, and payment
Pay the visa fee at the airport (cash USD or card) and receive your visa stamp
Our recommendation: Apply for the standard e-Visa instead. It's processed before you travel, avoids airport queues, and removes the risk of issues at the VoA desk. The VoA is a backup option, not a shortcut.
Common visa rejection reasons
Every year, thousands of applications are rejected for avoidable reasons. Don't be one of them.
Incomplete or blurry document scans
Fix: Scan all documents in colour at 300dpi. No photos of documents with your phone camera.
Passport with less than 6 months validity
Fix: Check your passport expiry date NOW. If it expires within 6 months of your travel date, renew it first.
Insufficient funds in bank statement
Fix: Show at least $2,000-3,000 equivalent in your account over the last 3 months. Consistent balance matters more than a sudden deposit.
Missing yellow fever vaccination certificate
Fix: Get vaccinated at least 10 days before your application. The certificate is valid for life.
Vague or inconsistent travel purpose
Fix: Be specific: 'Visiting family in Lagos for 2 weeks' is better than 'Tourism'. Make sure dates match your flight booking.
No proof of accommodation
Fix: Include a hotel booking confirmation or a signed invitation letter from your host with their Nigerian address and phone number.
Tips for a smooth visa application
Apply early
At least 4 weeks before travel during peak season (Nov-Jan), 2 weeks during off-peak. Processing delays happen — don't gamble your trip on it.
Double-check every document
Before hitting submit, verify every scan is clear, every field is correct, and every document is included. One missing item = rejection + lost fees.
Show healthy finances
A consistent bank balance over 3 months is more convincing than a large one-time deposit. Immigration officers notice sudden deposits.
Get travel insurance before applying
While not always mandatory, having travel insurance strengthens your application and shows you're a prepared, low-risk traveller.
Have your host write a proper invitation letter
If visiting family or friends, their invitation letter should include their full name, Nigerian address, phone number, relationship to you, and a copy of their Nigerian ID.
Keep a copy of everything
Save PDFs of your application, payment receipt, and e-Visa on your phone and email. Print colour copies for your travel documents folder.
Next steps after your visa
Your visa is sorted. Now get everything else ready so you can land in Nigeria stress-free.
Book your flights
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Search Cheap Flights on JetcostCompare airlines in one searchGet travel insurance
Nigerian hospitals require upfront payment. SafetyWing covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and emergency evacuation from $42/month. Skipping insurance is the most expensive mistake you can make.
Get SafetyWing InsuranceFrom $42/month — covers NigeriaSet up your eSIM before flying
You need data the moment you land — for Uber, WhatsApp, and everything else. Airalo eSIM activates instantly, works on MTN (best network), and starts at $4.50. Skip the 2-hour SIM queue at the airport.
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Get NordVPN — 77% OffFrom $2.99/monthNigeria Visa — FAQ
Do I need a visa to visit Nigeria?+
How long does the Nigeria e-Visa take to process?+
Can I get a visa on arrival in Nigeria?+
How much does a Nigeria visa cost?+
Can I extend my Nigeria visa once I'm in the country?+
What happens if my Nigeria visa application is rejected?+
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Nigeria?+
I have dual nationality (Nigerian + UK/US/Canadian). Do I need a visa?+
Don't let your visa be the reason you miss Detty December.
Apply early, prepare your documents, and get ready for Nigeria.
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