Electronic Visa (e-Visa) System

Highlights of the e-Visa

• 100% online
• Approval granted in 48 hours or less
• 13 types of short visit visas
• Only single entry 
• Valid for 30 to 90 days from date of issue, not extendable

Types of short-term visas

• Transit visa
• Business – single entry visa
• Business – frequently travelled business executive
• Tourism visa
• Sports visa
• Creative arts visa
• Study tour visa
• Academic exchange programme 
• International cultural exchange visa
• Emergency relief work visa
• Returning holders of foreign passports who are Nigerians by birth
• Visitor visa – single entry
• Business Visa – multiple entry

How to apply for the e-Visa

1. Visit the e-Visa portal
2. Register an account
3. Select visa category
4. Complete the application form
5. Upload relevant documents
6. Pay visa fee
7. Wait for approval. A unique QR code or e-Visa sticker will be sent via email.
8. Print confirmation if visa approved
9. If the application is denied, request for reason or submit a fresh application.

Documents to submit to support an e-Visa application

1. Passport valid for at least six months
2. Passport photograph – a recent colour passport photograph with a white background; must not be more than three months old.
3. Travel Itinerary: round-trip airline tickets, hotel reservations, etc
4. Invitation letter: a letter of invitation from host organisation in Nigeria
5. Payment receipt: receipt of payment for the application fee
6. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if from a country that has yellow fever issues
7. Proof of financial means: bank statements, credit card statements, or other financial documents to show that you have the funds to support your visit to Nigeria
8. Employee/student : proof of employment (e.g. a letter from employer); if a student, a letter from your college or university

This is a minimum list. The NIS can mandate additional documents. Check the NIS website for documents mandated for the visa being applied for.

Arrival in Nigeria

The following documents must be presented on arrival in Nigeria: 

1. Printed or digital copy of your e-Visa approval;
2. Passport (same one used for the application); and
3. Landing Card.

Visa for 91 days or more

An expatriate who needs a visa for more than 90 days must apply at the Nigerian embassy in the country of their residence.

Conclusion

The 100% digital application for the e-Visa is faster and more secure, making it easier for expatriates to apply for short stay visas in a transparent and efficient manner. By the end of July 2025, 30,000 e-Visas had been approved to expatriates who applied. 

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Helen E. Ijewere is currently the Regional Chair MEA of the GGI Global Mobility Solutions Practice Group. She is a Director at Nolands Nigeria. Her areas of specialisation are Global Mobility Solutions, Tax, Corporate Governance, Risk, Ethics, Compliance and Fraud. She joined the firm in January 2016 from private practice. She has a JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, NC, USA, and a BA from Trinity College, Washington, DC, USA.