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Nigeria groups its visas into three families: Short Visit visas for stays of up to 90 days, Temporary Residence visas for stays of up to two years, and Permanent Residence visas. Tourist, business and transit visas sit in the first family. Work, student, exchange and diplomatic visas sit mostly in the second. Choosing the wrong one is a common reason for delays and refusals, so this guide shows which visa fits which purpose.
It is written for foreigners coming into Nigeria, and for Nigerians who invite visitors, relatives or foreign staff and need to know which visa to ask for. If you are a Nigerian travelling abroad, see the last section.
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Which Nigerian visa do you need? Quick comparison
| Visa | Used for | Stay and validity | Main requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist | Sightseeing, family visits | Up to 90 days | Valid passport, return ticket, accommodation details |
| Business | Meetings, conferences, exploring investment | Up to 90 days, extendable | Invitation letter and the host company’s CAC certificate |
| Transit | Passing through Nigeria to another country | Up to 48 hours | Confirmed onward ticket and a visa for the final destination where one is needed |
| Temporary Work Permit (TWP) | Short specialist jobs such as installation, repairs, training | Single entry of 90 days (F8A) or multiple entry of 6 months, not renewable (R11) | Visa authority letter from the Comptroller General of Immigration |
| Employment (STR entry visa, then residence permit) | Long-term work for an employer in Nigeria | Residence permit (CERPAC) valid up to 2 years, renewable | Job offer and expatriate quota approval |
| Student | Full-time study | Temporary residence for the course | Admission from a Nigerian institution |
| Academic Exchange Programme (AEP) | Exchange and research programmes | Temporary residence for the programme | Acceptance letter from the Nigerian institution |
| Diplomatic | Accredited diplomats and officials | Initial stay up to 90 days, then a 2-year renewable permit | Diplomatic note and official invitation |
| Investor | Foreign investors building a business | Long-term residence | Proof of imported capital, from US$250,000 for small-scale investment |
What changed in 2025: e-Visa replaces visa on arrival
Nigeria launched its e-Visa system on 1 May 2025 and stopped issuing visas on arrival. Short visit visas are now applied for online at the official portal, evisa.immigration.gov.ng. Approval usually comes by email within about 48 hours, with a QR code you print or show at the airport. An e-Visa cannot be extended, so pick the category that matches the length and purpose of your trip.
Fees depend on your nationality and include a visa fee, a biometric fee and bank charges. Check the amount for your passport on the official portal before you pay, and be careful with agents or look-alike sites.
What are the short visit visas?
Transit visa. For travellers passing through Nigeria on the way to another country. The stay is limited to 48 hours and it does not allow work. You need proof of onward travel and, where it is required, a visa for your final destination.
Tourist visa. For sightseeing, family visits and cultural trips, for up to 90 days. Expect to show a passport valid for at least six months with blank pages, a recent photo, a return or onward ticket, and a hotel booking or your host’s address.
Business visa. For meetings, conferences and short business activity, for up to 90 days, extendable. It does not allow employment. You need an invitation letter and a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificate from the Nigerian company hosting you.
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What are the work visas?
Temporary Work Permit (TWP). For experts a Nigerian company brings in for a defined, short job. The host company asks the Comptroller General of Immigration for approval first, then the expert applies for the visa with the approval letter. It does not allow permanent employment or residence. The exact length depends on the class issued (90 days single entry, or 6 months multiple entry that cannot be renewed), so confirm which class applies before you travel.
STR visa and employment. The Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa is the entry visa for foreigners taking up a job in Nigeria. The employer must have expatriate quota approval, and the visa is obtained from a Nigerian mission in the applicant’s country. After arriving, the holder converts it to a residence permit (CERPAC), usually within 90 days, after medical tests and biometrics. A CERPAC is valid for up to two years, can be renewed, and is tied to the sponsoring employer, so changing employers needs a new quota approval.
What are the study, exchange, diplomatic and investor visas?
Student visa. For full-time study at a Nigerian institution. It sits under Temporary Residence and needs an admission letter. Confirm the full document list with the Nigeria Immigration Service for your course.
Academic Exchange Programme (AEP) visa. For research and student exchange programmes between Nigeria and other countries. You need an acceptance letter from the Nigerian institution. Other cultural exchange programmes may fall under a different class, so check the one that matches yours.
Diplomatic visa. For accredited diplomats and officials. The first stay can be up to 90 days, followed by a two-year renewable residence permit. A diplomatic note and an official invitation are needed.
Investor visa. For foreign investors who bring capital into Nigeria and keep it there. The minimum imported capital starts at US$250,000 for small-scale investment and rises for larger categories. Expect to provide proof of the investment, a business plan, financial records and a police report from your country of residence, and to apply through a Nigerian mission.
How do you apply for a Nigerian e-Visa?
- Choose the visa category that matches your purpose and the length of your stay.
- Apply on the official e-Visa portal and upload your documents: passport, photo, return ticket and accommodation details. Business travellers add the invitation letter and CAC certificate. Minors add a birth certificate and a parental consent letter.
- Pay the visa fee, biometric fee and bank charges online.
- Wait for approval by email, usually about 48 hours after your documents and payment are in.
- Print the approval letter with its QR code and carry it with your passport. Complete the landing card system on arrival.
Work and residence visas, including the TWP, STR and investor visas, are applied for through a Nigerian embassy or consulate and need pre-approval from the Nigeria Immigration Service. They do not follow the e-Visa route.
Why are Nigerian visa applications refused or delayed?
- Missing or expired documents, including a passport with under six months’ validity
- Applying under the wrong category for your purpose
- Details that do not match across the form, the passport and the supporting letters
- No valid invitation letter or CAC certificate for a business visit
- Work-related visas without prior approval from the Nigeria Immigration Service
Always apply through the official portal or an embassy, and never pay a person who promises approval. Rules and fees change, so confirm the latest requirements with the Nigeria Immigration Service before you apply.
Travelling out of Nigeria instead?
The visas above are for entering Nigeria. If you are a Nigerian applying for a visa abroad, our guides on Schengen visa rules for Nigerians, UK visa policy for Nigerians and Canada’s visitor visa update are a good place to start. For help matching your travel plan to the right visa requirements, or with a visa application, contact us and we will point you to what applies to your passport.
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