How to Travel to Nigeria: 7 Things You Should Know

Whether you plan to travel to Nigeria for the first time or as a repeat visitor, there are certain things you must know (and do) in order to have a safe, hassle-free travel experience.

Here are a few things you must know and do before you travel to Nigeria:

1. Do You Need a Visa to Travel to Nigeria?

When planning your trip to Nigeria, the first thing you must know is if you need a visa to travel to Nigeria. So, do you need a visa to enter Nigeria? According to the Nigerian Visa Policy, only the following classes of travelers do not require a visa to travel to Nigeria:

F1A – ECOWAS Member States:

Citizens of the following 15 Economic Community of West African States do not require a visa to enter Nigeria:

• Benin Republic
• Burkina Faso
• Cape Verde
• Ivory Coast
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea Bissau
• Liberia
• Mali
• Niger Republic
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Togo.

F1B – Visa Abolition Agreement Countries

Citizens from countries that have Visa Abolition Agreement with Nigeria can travel to Nigeria visa free under the F1B policy. These countries include:

• Cameroon
• Chad

F1C – Visa Waiver for International Organizations:

Visitors with travel documents from major International Organizations will be granted visa free entry from authorized airports of entry into Nigeria.

The organizations recognized by the Federal Republic of Nigeria include:

• The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
• The African Union (AU)
• The United Nations (UN)
• The African Development Bank (AfDB).

F1D – Reciprocity Visa Waiver Agreement Countries:

Diplomatic and Official Passport holders from countries with Reciprocity Visa Waiver Agreement with Nigeria may be eligible for visa-free entry into Nigeria through authorized entry ports. As at October 2020, the countries officially listed under the F1D policy include:

• Kenya (Diplomatic Passport Only)
• Mauritius
• Namibia
• Rwanda
• South Africa
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Brazil
• Cuba
• Venezuela
• China
• Singapore

Note: Standard or regular passport holders from the above F1D countries will require a visa to enter Nigeria. Only Diplomatic and Official passport holders can enter visa-free.

Travel Documents from group F1A, F1B, F1C and F1D may obtain single entry visa on arrival at any immigration port of entry into Nigeria. All visas issued under the Visa Free Policy are Single Entry for maximum duration of 90 days.

If you have confirmed that you require a visa to travel to Nigeria, next is to consider the visa requirements.

2. Travel to Nigeria Requirements

You will need the following documents in order to get a Nigerian visa:

• A passport with at least six months validity (should not expire in six months time)
• Two recent passport photos (white background)
• Evidence of sufficient funds for the trip (bank statement)
• Evidence of accommodation/hotel reservation in Nigeria
• Round-trip flight itinerary
• Letter of invitation to Nigeria (with host passport copy or CAC certificate)

3. Getting a Nigerian Visa

Once you have put together the requirements, you can apply for a Nigerian visa in either of two ways:

Apply By Yourself

• Visit the Nigeria Immigration portal to start your application and pay the visa fee applicable to you.
• Make printouts/copies of all documents (including the payment receipt and acknowledgement slip).
• Book your visa appointment with the nearest Nigeria embassy or Visa Processing Centre for interview and issuance of your visa.

Let’s Help You with the Application

• Place your order for Assisted Nigeria visa application here.
• Download the visa application form (sent to you via email after placing your order), fill and send back to us via email, together with your passport data page and passport photo.
• We’ll vet, make corrections, provide the remaining documents and submit your application online on the immigration portal.
• You’ll then receive the submitted online application together with other visa requirements that we will provide (letter of invitation, host passport copy, round-trip flight itinerary, evidence of accommodation/hotel reservation, and CAC certificate of host company where applicable).
• Pay the immigration fee and make a print-out of all documents (including the payment receipt and acknowledgement slip).
• Book your visa appointment with the nearest Nigeria embassy or Visa Processing Center, proceed to the center with the printed documents, obtain your visa and travel to Nigeria.

4. Visa on Arrival

If you want a fast visa to travel to Nigeria (within 2 days) and you intend to spend no more than 30 days in Nigeria, you can get a visa on arrival. Here’s how it works:

1. Place your order for Nigeria Visa on Arrival Processing ($97 USD) here.
2. After placing your order, send your details (flight itinerary, passport data page, and recent passport photo) to us via email to: hello@destinali.com.
3. We will prepare all required documents (letter of introduction, letter of invitation to Nigeria, CAC certificate of host, flight itinerary, passport copy, etc.), and submit your visa application to the Nigeria Immigration Service.
4. You receive a link to the Immigration portal to confirm your details and pay the official immigration fee.
5. Receive your Visa on Arrival (VoA) Approval Letter via email within two business days. That’s all! You can then travel to Nigeria anytime within 14 days from the date of approval.

Visa on arrival is perhaps to fastest and easiest way to get a visa and travel to Nigeria.

6. Book Your Hotel

When you travel to Nigeria to visit a friend, especially for the first time, you are better off staying in a hotel at least initially. Don’t go straight to their home as the living conditions may be different from what you’re used to.

Book a hotel and stay there for a few days before you can move to your friend’s home if you are satisfied. It is also a safety measure.

7. Safety in Nigeria

While other regions of Nigeria are relatively peaceful and safe to visit, there is threat of Boko Haram terrorism in the northeast. Due to this insurgency, it is advised against traveling to any of the northeastern states of Nigeria, viz: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.

8. Weather and Dressing

Before you travel to Nigeria, it is worth knowing that Nigeria is warm all-year, except for the occasional harmattan chill and some frigid temperatures on elevated areas like Jos and Pankshin in Plateau State and Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State.

Pack light cotton-based, comfortable clothing and a hat or cap and pairs of sandals for casual pursuits.

No provocative dressing please, especially in the north or in the villages.

For business meetings, pack a suit. Nigerian official dressing is conservative and formal. Dressing often determines the kind of reception you get and improper or casual dressing at an official engagement is not encouraged. But shirtsleeves and a tie are usually sufficient.

Donning a traditional Nigerian attire is almost always a plus and a conversation-starter. A foreigner in Nigerian clothing receives great admiration and trust. It is a good way to impress and earn confidence.