Visas for Nigeria

Most travellers heading to Nigeria for holiday, business, or relocation will need a visa. Citizens of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states are generally exempt from this requirement and may enter using a valid passport or ECOWAS travel document.

For most other visitors, the Nigerian Immigration Service has switched to a fully digital e-Visa system. This move has largely replaced the manual ‘Visa on Arrival’ with mandatory online pre-approval. You must submit your application well in advance via the official immigration portal, whether you are visiting for tourism, business, or other short-term reasons.

You must also complete mandatory digital landing and exit cards before you travel to ensure a smooth passage through border control. Double-check the latest health advice and vaccination requirements before you fly, as these can change without warning.

Business in Nigeria 
Healthcare in Nigeria

Useful links

• Nigerian Immigration Service ePortal
• Nigeria Immigration News Updates

Tourist visas for Nigeria

Getting a tourist visa is now a digital-first affair. Whether you are there to soak up the energy of Lagos, visit family, or travel the country, you will need a Tourist Visa (F5A) or Visiting Visa (F6A). These permits usually offer a 90-day entry window, but the clock ticks louder on your actual stay: you are typically capped at 30 days per visit. Under the new e-Visa regime, extensions are rarely an option.

You must kick off the process online through the Nigerian Immigration Service’s ePortal to pay the fees. Although the system is digital, you might still need to visit an embassy or visa application centre for an interview or document verification, depending on your nationality and residence.

You will generally need:

• A passport valid for at least six months with two blank visa pages
• A confirmed return or onward travel ticket
• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover the stay (often requiring recent bank statements)
• Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation
• If staying with private hosts: A formal invitation letter and proof of the host’s immigration status or citizenship

If they call you in for an interview, take your payment receipts, a valid passport, and hard copies of all supporting documents. Biometric capture is mandatory; for e-Visa holders, this is frequently done upon arrival at the airport, whereas embassy applicants will usually complete this step at a designated service centre before travelling.

Useful links

• Nigerian Immigration Service Official Website

Business visas for Nigeria

Applying for a business visa mirrors the tourist process but requires extra corporate paperwork. If you are travelling for meetings, conferences, or negotiations, you will typically need a Single Entry (F4A) or Multiple Entry (F4B) visa.

You will generally need:

• A passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages
• Proof of a return or onward ticket
• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover the trip
• A confirmed hotel reservation or details of the host’s address
• A copy of the host company’s Certificate of Incorporation (CAC)
• An invitation letter from a host company in Nigeria accepting full immigration responsibility and detailing the visit’s purpose

Although the visa allows entry within 90 days of issue, your actual stay is usually capped at 30 days. These permits are strictly non-negotiable. If you need more time, you must leave and apply again. Since the e-Visa system has effectively replaced the manual ‘Visa on Arrival’, you must secure approval before you fly.

Useful links

• Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)

Work and residence permits for Nigeria

If you plan to work or live in Nigeria, you need the right paperwork. The main options are the Electronic Temporary Work Permit (e-TWP) for short stints and the Expatriate Employment Visa (R2A) for long-term roles.

Electronic Temporary Work Permit (e-TWP)

Specialists visiting for specific tasks like audits or equipment installation need an e-TWP. The current system divides this into the F8A (single entry, 90 days) and the R11 (six months, non-renewable).

Your host company handles the heavy lifting. They must request pre-approval (Cable) from the Comptroller General of Immigration via the Citizenship and Business (C&B) Portal. Once this approval is secured, you will complete the process online.

Key requirements typically include:

• A passport valid for at least six months
• The pre-approval Cable/Visa Authority Letter
• Confirmed return flight tickets
• Evidence of specific qualifications relevant to the assignment

Because your host drives this process, you need to stay in the loop with them.

Expatriate Employment Visa (R2A)

The Expatriate Employment Visa (R2A) has largely replaced the old ‘Subject to Regularisation’ (STR) scheme for long-term staff, NGO workers, and missionaries.

This permit relies on the Expatriate Quota. Your employer must prove to the Ministry of Interior that a local candidate cannot fill the role.

The 2025 Reform: 
In a shift from the old system, the e-CERPAC framework now handles most processing before you even arrive. Your employer applies through the C&B platform, generating an e-CERPAC to serve as your entry permit.

Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC)

The CERPAC covers residency and labour rights. It usually comes as a Green Card (employment) or a Brown Card (dependents).

Mandatory Insurance: 
You now need mandatory expat insurance to get the CERPAC. Authorities rarely issue the permit without proof of this coverage.

The permit is typically valid for one to two years and is renewable. Thanks to the digital shift, you often receive the physical card upon arrival or at your office, skipping the old manual collection queues.

Standard requirements include:

• Valid Expatriate Quota approval
• Valid Employment Visa (R2A) endorsement
• Proof of mandatory insurance coverage
• Corporate tax and incorporation documents from the employer

Useful links

• Ministry of Interior (C&B Portal)
• Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI)
• Immigration FAQs

Visa and work permit requirements can change at short notice. Always contact your nearest Nigerian embassy or consulate for the most current details.