Nigeria Visa Application Tips

Here is a complete list of documents you’ll need when applying for a Short Term Visa to visit Nigeria for various purposes, such as holidays, visiting friends/family, attending a wedding, and more.

1. Valid Travel Document: Ensure you possess a National passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of the visa application.
2. Passport-Size Photographs: Provide two recent passport-size photographs adhering to the specifications outlined on the website.
3. Online Application Forms: Complete and sign two online application forms, available at Nigeria Immigration Portal.
4. Payment Acknowledgment Receipt: Print the payment acknowledgment receipt for visa fees from either Innovate1 Services or Nigeria Immigration Portal.
5. Proof of Financial Means: Demonstrate financial means through:
   • Bank statements
   • Salary advices
   • Undertaking(s) by host(s) in the Federal Republic of Nigeria
   • Bursaries
   • Medical cover
   • Cash availability, including credit cards or traveler’s cheques, to cover living expenses during the stay in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
6. For Minor Dependent Children: Provide:
   • Proof of guardianship or custody for those under guardianship
   • Consent from the guardian for unaccompanied minors.
7. Return Air Ticket: Include a copy of a valid return air ticket.
8. Confirmed Accommodation: Present evidence of confirmed accommodation for the duration of your stay in Nigeria.

Note: Submit one set of hard copies for documents. Bring the original supporting documents only for verification.

Purpose of Visit Documents:

To download the document checklist for each visa, please click here

Note: This is a general guide, and specific requirements may vary. Applicants should check with the official authorities or the official website of Nigerian embassy for the most accurate and up-to-date information on document requirements for each visa type.

Before submitting your visa application, please review the list of required documents. The guidelines provided on this website will assist you in preparing your documents accurately, reducing the risk of your visa application being rejected due to incorrect or insufficient documentation.

Nigeria Online Visa Application Portal

An Electronic Visa lets you speed up the visa application online by submitting documents electronically. The 90-day Short Visit e-Visa requires pre-approval through an Electronic Travel Authorization Letter (eTAL), which should be printed before your arrival in Nigeria.

Nigeria Visa Application Form

This is the online visa application form. Please ensure you have a printed copy of the filled form, the payment receipt for visa fees, and a copy of the online appointment letter when submitting your application at the visa center.

The process for applying for Nigeria visitor visa from India typically involves the following steps:

1. Decide on the Visa: Ensure that the visitor visa category is suitable for your purpose of travel to Nigeria. There are different types of visitor visas available, each with its own set of requirements and validity period. For example, if you are visiting Nigeria for tourism, you will need to apply for a tourist visa. If you are visiting Nigeria to attend a business conference, you will need to apply for a business visa.
2. Gather Requirements: Prepare all the necessary requirements for the visa. The requirements for a Nigerian visitor visa from India typically include: A valid passport, Two recent passport-sized photographs, A completed visa application form, Proof of payment of the application fee, Evidence of accommodation and sufficient financial means to support oneself in Nigeria and etc.
3. Apply Online: Complete the NIS Online Visa Application and print out the completed form. You can find the online application form on the website of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
4. Pay Online: Pay for the visa application fee online. The payment receipt should be printed out and attached to the application form.
5. Affix Passport Photographs: Affix two recent passport-sized photographs (35mm x 45mm) on a white background, showing the applicant’s full face, to the completed application form.
6. Submit Application: Submit the completed application form, payment receipt, and supporting documents to the Nigerian Mission or VAC in India. You can find the contact details of the Nigerian Mission or VAC on the website of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
7. Visa Interview: There may be a scheduled interview depending on the visa type and/or if it is the first time you apply. The interview is an opportunity for the visa officer to verify your identity, purpose of travel, and eligibility for the visa.
8. Check Your Visa Status: You will receive an email or SMS about your visa decision at the Visa Application Centre. Choose your preferred notification method. You can also track your visa online using the Reference Number and your last name from the invoice.
9. Retrieve Your Passport: Once a decision is made on your visa application, you can collect your passport from the Visa Application Centre or have it delivered for an extra fee.
   • To collect it in person, bring the issued receipt and a government ID. If someone else is collecting it for you, they need a signed authorization letter, the receipt, and their government ID.
   • Check the Visa Application Centre’s opening hours for collection options.

Processing Time:

Getting a Nigerian visa usually takes two to fifteen working days, and it depends on the type of visa, where it’s processed, and why the person is applying. For instance, a Business/Investor Visa takes longer than a Tourist Visa.

Health Requirements:

Everyone traveling to Nigeria must have a yellow fever vaccination. Make sure your international health vaccination certificate is up to date before you leave. Depending on where you’re coming from and where you’ll be in Nigeria, you might need recent malaria prevention measures. Click here for more detail.

Important Note:

• Check the latest Covid-19 Travel Guide before booking or boarding your flight to Nigeria.
• Start the application process well in advance of your planned travel date.
• Make sure all your documents are complete and accurate.
• Be prepared to answer questions about your travel plans and intentions in Nigeria.
• After completing the earlier steps, you might have an interview for first-time visa applicants, depending on the visa type. The interview is the final stage of the visa process.
• If your payment card doesn’t work, it means the government’s fraud prevention is active. Don’t worry. Contact the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) or its Payment Gateway Contractor before the transaction. You can also consult a reliable Nigerian Visa Agent with registered cards to complete the payment.
• Before exploring these visa procedures, be familiar with the basic requirements for each regular visa type: Transit, Tourist, Business, TWP, STR, and Official/Diplomatic Visa. Remember
• The procedures for e-Visa are different.

The process for applying for a Nigeria visitor visa from India typically involves the following steps: Use a computer with internet access and a modern browser, and then follow the instructions below.

1. Start Online Application: Begin your e-Visa application by accessing the official online portal.
2. Fill Form and Upload Documents: Complete the online application form with accurate and up-to-date information, ensuring all fields are filled correctly. Upload all required documents, including a valid passport, passport-sized photograph, and any other supporting documents specified in the guidelines.
3. Complete Online Payment: Proceed to make the online payment for the e-Visa application using the available payment methods. Ensure the payment is successful and keep a record of the transaction reference number for future reference.
4. Print Payment Slip/Receipt: After successfully completing the payment, print out the payment slip or receipt as proof of payment. Keep the payment slip or receipt for your records and attach it to the application documentation if required.
5. Verify Email Confirmation: Check your email inbox to confirm that you have received an email acknowledging the submission of your e-Visa application. This email will provide a reference number for tracking the status of your application.
6. Wait for Approval: Allow sufficient time for the processing of your e-Visa application. The approval process typically takes between 16 to 48 hours. Monitor the status of your application regularly through the online portal or by contacting the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) if necessary.
7. Receive eTAL by Email: Upon approval of your e-Visa application, you will receive an electronic Travel Authorization Letter (eTAL) via email. The eTAL will contain your visa details and authorization to travel to Nigeria.
8. Print eTAL and Travel to Nigeria: Print out the eTAL document for your travel records. Present the eTAL along with your passport upon arrival at authorized ports of entry in Nigeria, which are Abuja and Lagos Airports.

Important notes:

• To get an eTAL, first, choose the eVisa type that suits your purpose in Nigeria. Check if you qualify for that visa type.
• Create a checklist of the requirements needed for that specific visa.
• Use a computer with an internet connection and a modern browser.
• Check the latest Covid-19 Travel Guide before booking or boarding your flight to Nigeria.
• Start the application process well in advance of your planned travel date.
• Make sure all your documents are complete and accurate.
• Before exploring these visa procedures, be familiar with the basic requirements for each regular visa type: Transit, Tourist, Business, TWP, STR, and Official/Diplomatic Visa. Remember