Nigeria visa and entry requirements

The Nigeria Immigration Service says the tourism visa is for citizens of all countries except ECOWAS member States and other countries with which Nigeria has entered into visa abolition or waiver agreements, and that you apply online (e-Visa or embassy). The UK government says visa on arrival is no longer available and that all visa applications must be submitted through the online portal before travel.

Every fact on this page verified on or after: Aug 26, 2026· How this site works

Check requirements for your passport

Requirements differ by nationality. Select your passport above, or scan the full table below.

Visas & entry authorisations

Tourism Visa – F5A (e-Visa)

Fee
Not published
Processing
—
Validity
90 days
Stay per entry
30 days
Entries
single

Documents the application asks for

  • Passport — Valid for at least 6 months.
  • Passport-size photo
  • Return ticket
  • Hotel reservation or host address in Nigeria
  • Bank statement — Covering 180 days, as evidence of sufficient funds.
  • Birth certificate and parental consent letter — For a minor under 18 travelling with an adult.
Apply on the official site Verified Oct 3, 2026 · immigration.gov.ng

Tourism Visa – F5A, at an embassy

Fee
Not published
Processing
—
Validity
90 days
Stay per entry
30 days
Entries
single

Documents the application asks for

  • Passport — Valid for at least 6 months.
  • Passport-size photo
  • Return ticket
  • Hotel reservation or host address in Nigeria
  • Bank statement — Covering 180 days, as evidence of sufficient funds.
  • Birth certificate and parental consent letter — For a minor under 18 travelling with an adult.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · immigration.gov.ng

Entry requirements

Passport validity

The UK Foreign Office says that to enter Nigeria your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · gov.uk · archived copyCompare every country

Vaccinations

Required
  • Yellow fever (International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card)) — The UK Foreign Office says people travelling on a full British citizen passport must have a certificate proving yellow fever vaccination to enter Nigeria; infants aged 8 months or younger and adults aged 61 or older are exempt.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · gov.uk · archived copyCompare every country

Travel insurance

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states a travel-insurance requirement for Nigeria. Canada's travel advice says public and private medical facilities usually require a cash deposit, a payment guarantee or confirmation of medical insurance, that you will likely need medical evacuation in case of serious illness or injury, and recommends travel insurance that covers evacuation and hospital stays.

Verified Oct 4, 2026 · travel.gc.ca

Onward or return ticket

Required

The Nigeria Immigration Service lists evidence of a return ticket among the requirements for the tourism visa and the single-entry business visa.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · immigration.gov.ng

Proof of funds

Required

The Nigeria Immigration Service lists evidence of sufficient funds (a 180-day bank statement) among the requirements for the tourism visa. No official source we could read states a minimum amount.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · immigration.gov.ng

Arrival cards & declarations

Required
  • Digital Landing and Exit Card — The Nigeria Immigration Service says all foreigners visiting or departing Nigeria must use its Landing and Exit Card portal to pre-process their arrival and departure; the portal is not for transit purposes, its services are completely free, and a landing card can be created only 24–48 hours before arrival. Failure to comply leads to refusal of entry or departure at immigration checkpoints. Its home page says the cards commence May 1, 2025. (before arrival in / departure from nigeria) lecard.immigration.gov.ng
  • Nigeria Health Declaration Form (NCDC) — In response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says travellers from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission may be required to complete a health declaration form before boarding, and that passengers from all other countries are exempt at this time. The form is free; you receive a PDF and QR code by email and present it to the port health officer on arrival. (before boarding) healthapp.ncdc.gov.ng
    Verified Oct 9, 2026 · healthapp.ncdc.gov.ng · official portal · gov.uk says required of every traveller, transit included
Verified Oct 7, 2026 · lecard.immigration.gov.ng · archived copyCompare every country

Staying past your permitted stay

Australia's Smartraveller says significant penalties, including fines and detention, may apply for people who overstay their visa terms.

Verified Oct 12, 2026 · smartraveller.gov.auCompare every country

Other compulsory government charges

  • Passenger service charge (international) — USD 80 per passenger for West African countries; USD 100 per passenger for other countries.

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria charges a passenger service charge on international flights, at a rate that depends on the destination.

Verified Oct 12, 2026 · faan.gov.ngCompare every country

Customs & currency

Nigeria's Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 says transportation of cash or negotiable instruments in excess of USD 10,000 or its equivalent by individuals in or out of Nigeria shall be declared to the Nigerian Customs Service.

  • The UK government says possession or use of illegal drugs, including cannabis, carries severe penalties in Nigeria, and that you should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting.
  • It is illegal to export African art, particularly antiques, without written authorisation from the Department of Antiquities, according to the UK Foreign Office and the Government of Canada.
  • The UK Foreign Office and the Government of Canada say it is illegal to import beer, mineral water, soft drinks, sparkling wine, fruits, vegetables, cereals, eggs, textile fabrics, jewellery or precious metals.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · nfiu.gov.ng · Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act

Yellow fever certificate

The UK Foreign Office says people travelling on a full British citizen passport must have a certificate proving yellow fever vaccination to enter Nigeria; infants aged 8 months or younger and adults aged 61 or older are exempt.

Compiled Aug 26, 2026 · cdn.who.int · International Health Regulations (2005), Article 36

International Health Regulations (2005), Article 36 and Annex 7; WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1, 18 November 2022 (revised 3 January 2023)

Country in a nutshell

Currency
Nigerian naira (NGN, ₦)
Cards & payments
The Government of Canada describes Nigeria's economy as cash-based: US dollars are widely accepted, ATMs are not widely available outside major cities, and credit cards are accepted at some major hotels in Abuja and Lagos — though it advises avoiding credit and debit cards because of the high potential for fraud. The UK Foreign Office warns of a spike in crime around banks and ATMs.
Safety — High risk
The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara states and to the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, and against all but essential travel to parts of the North East, North West, North Central, South East and South South regions, listed state by state. It says terrorist groups are highly likely to carry out kidnaps in Nigeria and that kidnappings are widespread and could occur anywhere.Verified Oct 3, 2026 · gov.uk · archived copy
Power plugs
D, G · 230V 50Hz
Emergency numbers
General emergencies: 112
Languages
English
Time zone
UTC+1
International Driving Permit

Nigeria is a party to the 1949 Geneva and the 1968 Vienna Conventions on Road Traffic (UN Treaty Collection).

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · treaties.un.org · Convention on Road Traffic · archived copy Compare every country
Tap water
not for drinking. Use bottled

Best time to visit

The Government of Canada says the rainy season runs from May to October, with flash and seasonal flooding that can make roads impassable. The dry season, November to April, brings periodic heat waves well above 40°C, especially in central and northern Nigeria, and the dusty Harmattan wind, typically November to March and strongest from December to February, which reduces visibility and air quality.

Tips & warnings

The UK government says all visa applications must be submitted through the online portal before travel, and that you can apply for a visa from the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The UK FCDO advises against all travel, or all but essential travel, to parts of North East, North West, North Central, South East and South South Nigeria, listed state by state. It says to limit travel after dark outside city centres as far as possible, and the Government of Canada says to avoid all unnecessary travel after dark.

The Nigeria Immigration Service says foreigners must pre-process their arrival and departure on its free Landing and Exit Card portal; a landing card can be created only 24–48 hours before arrival, and failure to comply leads to refusal of entry or departure at immigration checkpoints.

The UK government says areas around banks and ATMs have seen a spike in criminal activity, so take extra precautions when withdrawing cash, especially at night, and that credit card fraud is common, so keep your card within sight when paying bills.

The UK government says you must have a certificate proving yellow fever vaccination to enter Nigeria; infants aged 8 months or younger and adults aged 61 or older are exempt from this requirement.

Visa requirements by nationality

PassportsVisas & entry authorisationsMax stay
AfghanistaneVisa30 days
AlbaniaeVisa30 days
AlgeriaeVisa30 days
AndorraeVisa30 days
AngolaeVisa30 days
Antigua and BarbudaeVisa30 days
ArgentinaeVisa30 days
ArmeniaeVisa30 days
AustraliaeVisa30 days
AustriaeVisa30 days
AzerbaijaneVisa30 days
BahamaseVisa30 days
BahraineVisa30 days
BangladesheVisa30 days
BarbadoseVisa30 days
BelaruseVisa30 days
BelgiumeVisa30 days
BelizeeVisa30 days
BeninFree movement90 days
BhutaneVisa30 days
BoliviaeVisa30 days
Bosnia and HerzegovinaeVisa30 days
BotswanaeVisa30 days
BrazileVisa30 days
BruneieVisa30 days
BulgariaeVisa30 days
Burkina FasoFree movement—
BurundieVisa30 days
Cabo VerdeFree movement90 days
CambodiaeVisa30 days
CanadaeVisa30 days
Central African RepubliceVisa30 days
ChileeVisa30 days
ChinaeVisa30 days
ColombiaeVisa30 days
ComoroseVisa30 days
Costa RicaeVisa30 days
Côte d'IvoireFree movement90 days
CroatiaeVisa30 days
CubaeVisa30 days
CypruseVisa30 days
CzechiaeVisa30 days
Democratic Republic of the CongoeVisa30 days
DenmarkeVisa30 days
DjiboutieVisa30 days
DominicaeVisa30 days
Dominican RepubliceVisa30 days
EcuadoreVisa30 days
EgypteVisa30 days
El SalvadoreVisa30 days
Equatorial GuineaeVisa30 days
EritreaeVisa30 days
EstoniaeVisa30 days
EswatinieVisa30 days
EthiopiaeVisa30 days
FijieVisa30 days
FinlandeVisa30 days
FranceeVisa30 days
GaboneVisa30 days
GambiaFree movement90 days
GeorgiaeVisa30 days
GermanyeVisa30 days
GhanaFree movement90 days
GreeceeVisa30 days
GrenadaeVisa30 days
GuatemalaeVisa30 days
GuineaFree movement90 days
Guinea-BissauFree movement90 days
GuyanaeVisa30 days
HaitieVisa30 days
HonduraseVisa30 days
Hong KongeVisa30 days
HungaryeVisa30 days
IcelandeVisa30 days
IndiaeVisa30 days
IndonesiaeVisa30 days
IraneVisa30 days
IraqeVisa30 days
IrelandeVisa30 days
IsraeleVisa30 days
ItalyeVisa30 days
JamaicaeVisa30 days
JapaneVisa30 days
JordaneVisa30 days
KazakhstaneVisa30 days
KenyaeVisa30 days
KiribatieVisa30 days
KosovoeVisa30 days
KuwaiteVisa30 days
KyrgyzstaneVisa30 days
LaoseVisa30 days
LatviaeVisa30 days
LebanoneVisa30 days
LesothoeVisa30 days
LiberiaFree movement90 days
LibyaeVisa30 days
LiechtensteineVisa30 days
LithuaniaeVisa30 days
LuxembourgeVisa30 days
MacaueVisa30 days
MadagascareVisa30 days
MalawieVisa30 days
MalaysiaeVisa30 days
MaldiveseVisa30 days
MaliFree movement—
MaltaeVisa30 days
Marshall IslandseVisa30 days
MauritaniaeVisa30 days
MauritiuseVisa30 days
MexicoeVisa30 days
MicronesiaeVisa30 days
MoldovaeVisa30 days
MonacoeVisa30 days
MongoliaeVisa30 days
MontenegroeVisa30 days
MoroccoeVisa30 days
MozambiqueeVisa30 days
MyanmareVisa30 days
NamibiaeVisa30 days
NaurueVisa30 days
NepaleVisa30 days
NetherlandseVisa30 days
New ZealandeVisa30 days
NicaraguaeVisa30 days
NigerFree movement—
NigeriaFree movement—
North KoreaeVisa30 days
North MacedoniaeVisa30 days
NorwayeVisa30 days
OmaneVisa30 days
PakistaneVisa30 days
PalaueVisa30 days
PalestineeVisa30 days
PanamaeVisa30 days
Papua New GuineaeVisa30 days
ParaguayeVisa30 days
PerueVisa30 days
PhilippineseVisa30 days
PolandeVisa30 days
PortugaleVisa30 days
QatareVisa30 days
Republic of the CongoeVisa30 days
RomaniaeVisa30 days
RussiaeVisa30 days
RwandaeVisa30 days
Saint Kitts and NeviseVisa30 days
Saint LuciaeVisa30 days
Saint Vincent and the GrenadineseVisa30 days
SamoaeVisa30 days
San MarinoeVisa30 days
São Tomé and PríncipeeVisa30 days
Saudi ArabiaeVisa30 days
SenegalFree movement90 days
SerbiaeVisa30 days
SeychelleseVisa30 days
Sierra LeoneFree movement90 days
SingaporeeVisa30 days
SlovakiaeVisa30 days
SloveniaeVisa30 days
Solomon IslandseVisa30 days
SomaliaeVisa30 days
South AfricaeVisa30 days
South KoreaeVisa30 days
South SudaneVisa30 days
SpaineVisa30 days
Sri LankaeVisa30 days
SudaneVisa30 days
SurinameeVisa30 days
SwedeneVisa30 days
SwitzerlandeVisa30 days
SyriaeVisa30 days
TaiwaneVisa30 days
TajikistaneVisa30 days
TanzaniaeVisa30 days
ThailandeVisa30 days
Timor-LesteeVisa30 days
TogoFree movement90 days
TongaeVisa30 days
Trinidad and TobagoeVisa30 days
TunisiaeVisa30 days
TurkeyeVisa30 days
TurkmenistaneVisa30 days
TuvalueVisa30 days
UgandaeVisa30 days
UkraineeVisa30 days
United Arab EmirateseVisa30 days
United KingdomeVisa30 days
United StateseVisa30 days
UruguayeVisa30 days
UzbekistaneVisa30 days
VanuatueVisa30 days
Vatican CityeVisa30 days
VenezuelaeVisa30 days
VietnameVisa30 days
YemeneVisa30 days
ZambiaeVisa30 days
ZimbabweeVisa30 days

Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.

No official page we read states the rule for 2 nationalities, so the table leaves them out: Cameroon and Chad.

Benin54 of 199 passports visa-free · 145 eVisa/ETANiger13 of 199 passports visa-freeChad20 of 199 passports visa-free · 179 eVisa/ETACameroon7 of 199 passports visa-free · 192 eVisa/ETAGhana17 of 199 passports visa-free · 150 eVisa/ETASenegal61 of 199 passports visa-freeCôte d'Ivoire24 of 199 passports visa-free · 175 eVisa/ETAKenya78 of 199 passports visa-free · 121 eVisa/ETA

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Nigeria?

The Nigeria Immigration Service says the tourism visa is for citizens of all countries except ECOWAS member States and other countries with which Nigeria has entered into visa abolition or waiver agreements, and that you apply online (e-Visa or embassy). No official page we could read lists the countries with such agreements.

Does Nigeria still issue visas on arrival?

The UK Foreign Office tells people travelling on a full British citizen passport that visa on arrival is no longer available and that all visa applications must be submitted through the online portal before travel.

How long does the Nigeria e-Visa take?

No official source we could read states a processing time for the Nigerian e-Visa.

Can US citizens get a Nigeria e-Visa?

The Nigeria Immigration Service says the tourism visa is for citizens of all countries except ECOWAS member States and other countries with which Nigeria has entered into visa abolition or waiver agreements, and that you apply online (e-Visa or embassy); the business (single entry) visa is applied for online (e-Visa). No official page we could read lists the countries with such agreements.

Is yellow fever vaccination required for Nigeria?

The UK government says that people travelling on a full British citizen passport must have a certificate proving yellow fever vaccination to enter Nigeria; infants aged 8 months or younger and adults aged 61 or older are exempt from this requirement.

What is the Nigeria Landing Card?

The Nigeria Immigration Service says all foreigners visiting or departing Nigeria must use its Landing and Exit Card portal to pre-process their arrival and departure; the portal is not for transit purposes, and its services are completely free. A landing card can be created only 24–48 hours before arrival, and failure to comply leads to refusal of entry or departure at immigration checkpoints. Its home page says the cards commence May 1, 2025.

Sources & verification

Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources:

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us, with the official source