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Travel rules for Nigerians and for travellers across Africa have changed several times since late 2024. This page puts the main changes in date order, explains what each one means in practice, and lists what to check before you book. Rules can change again, so use it as a map and confirm each point on the official government page.
Timeline
| When | Change | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | UNESCO inscribes the Durbar in Kano on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list | Visitors to northern Nigeria and festival travellers |
| 1 March 2025 | Nigeria’s e-visa platform is scheduled to launch for tourists, business visitors and investors | Foreign visitors to Nigeria |
| 30 May 2025 | Kenya issues Legal Notice No. 93, exempting African nationals (except Somalia and Libya) from the eTA | Nigerians and other Africans going to Kenya |
| 8 July 2025 | US Embassy in Abuja announces most new non-official visas for Nigerians are single entry and valid for three months | Nigerians applying for US visas |
| July 2025 | UAE announces conditions for Nigerian tourist visa applicants | Nigerians going to the UAE |
| September 2025 | Air Tanzania starts Lagos to Dar es Salaam flights, three a week in each direction | Travellers between West and East Africa |
| 13 October 2025 | Nigeria Immigration Service opens the Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme | Foreign nationals in Nigeria without valid status |
| January 2026 | Henley Passport Index places Nigeria 89th, up from 103rd a year earlier | All Nigerian passport holders |
| July 2026 | Nigeria moves to 90th with 44 visa-free destinations; the US returns to a tie for 10th | All Nigerian passport holders |
What Each Change Means
Nigeria’s e-visa platform
Nigeria set up an online application route so that tourists, business travellers and investors can apply, upload documents such as a passport page, return ticket and hotel booking, pay online and receive the visa by email. The Interior Ministry also stated a goal of automated short-stay approvals within about 24 to 48 hours. Actual processing time depends on the case and the Nigeria Immigration Service, so apply well before travel and use only the official portal.
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Kenya’s eTA exemption
Most African nationals no longer need to apply for an eTA to enter Kenya. The maximum stay depends on nationality: up to 180 days for East African Community states, up to 90 days for many other African states, and up to 60 days for Nigerians, Egyptians and Senegalese, among others. Work and study need separate permission.
US visa validity for Nigerians
New non-official visas for Nigerians have been single entry with three months’ validity since 8 July 2025. Visas issued before that date keep their original terms. The embassy described the arrangement as subject to review at any time, so check the current terms when you apply.
UAE conditions
Reported conditions in July 2025 were that transit visas are not processed for Nigerians, tourists aged 18 to 45 travelling alone are ineligible, and applicants aged 45 and over must show six months of Nigerian bank statements with a month-end balance of at least US$10,000 or the equivalent in naira. Confirm the latest rules on the UAE’s official visa pages.
Lagos to Dar es Salaam flights
Air Tanzania flies Dar es Salaam to Lagos on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and Lagos to Dar es Salaam on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The route gives a direct link between West and East Africa and a path to Zanzibar and northern Tanzania. Schedules change, so check the airline’s timetable before you plan.
Overstayer programme in Nigeria
The Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme invites foreign nationals who missed the earlier amnesty to register at the nearest Immigration Command. Each case is assessed individually. People who breached their visa conditions and do not report may face arrest, removal and a re-entry ban. Visitors should simply make sure their own status is valid.
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The passport index
Nigeria’s score of 44 visa-free destinations has barely changed, but its position moved from 103rd to 89th between January 2025 and January 2026 and then to 90th in July 2026, mainly because other countries’ scores moved. Rank is a headline number. Your actual trip depends on the country-specific rule.
Putting It Together: Three Sample Trips
| Trip (hypothetical) | Entry step | Lead time to allow |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos to Nairobi for 10 days | No visa or eTA for a stay up to 60 days; carry passport, onward ticket and accommodation details | Days, not weeks |
| Lagos to Dubai for a holiday | Visa under the current Nigerian conditions; gather bank statements and bookings | Several weeks |
| Lagos to the US for a conference | Visa appointment and interview; expect single-entry validity | Several weeks to months, depending on appointment availability |
Where to Verify Each Change
| Topic | Best place to confirm |
|---|---|
| Entry to Nigeria and the e-visa | Nigeria Immigration Service website |
| Entry to Kenya | Kenya’s immigration department and its eTA portal |
| US visas | The US Embassy in Abuja and the State Department’s visa pages |
| UAE visas | The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa pages |
| Flights | The airline’s own timetable and booking page |
| Passport ranking | The latest Henley Passport Index update |
Worked Example: Counting a 60-Day Limit
A stay limit counts days in the country, not days on the calendar between flights. Hypothetical example for a Nigerian consultant with a Kenya limit of 60 days per stay:
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arrival | Day 1 is the day you enter; note it from your entry stamp |
| Work plan | A 45-day project fits inside the limit, with 15 days of margin |
| Side trip | A weekend in Zanzibar leaves Kenya, so check whether re-entry gives a new period or counts toward the same one |
| Extension | If the project may run over, ask Kenya’s immigration department well before day 60 |
Never assume that leaving and coming back restarts the clock. Ask the immigration office or the airline, and keep your stamps and tickets as evidence.
Avoiding Scams After a Rule Change
- New rules attract copy-cat websites that charge for services that are free or cheaper on the official portal.
- Type the government’s web address yourself rather than following an advert.
- Be wary of anyone who promises a guaranteed visa or a special route for a fee.
- Keep payment receipts and application numbers.
Before You Book: A Checklist
- Find the destination government’s own immigration page and note the date it was last updated.
- Check passport validity against the destination’s rule and your return date.
- Check the maximum stay for your nationality. It can differ from the stay for other African passports.
- Check whether the entry is single or multiple, and whether you will need to return through the same country.
- Book flights and hotels with free cancellation until a visa is approved.
- Keep digital and paper copies of your documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Nigerians still need a visa for Kenya?
Not for a short visit. Nigerians are exempt from the eTA for up to 60 days.
Is my old US visa still good?
If it was issued before 8 July 2025, it keeps the validity and entries printed on it.
Is there a direct flight from Lagos to East Africa?
Air Tanzania operates Lagos to Dar es Salaam three times a week, at the time of writing.
How reliable are news posts on visa rules?
They are a useful alert, but always confirm on the government page, since details such as stay length or fees are often updated after the first announcement.
What should I do if a rule changes after I book?
Contact your airline and hotel about change or refund options, and check the embassy page for guidance on pending applications.
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