Federal Republic of Nigeria · short term business
Visa on Arrival / e-Visa (business and urgent travel)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
A short-term entry facility for business and urgent travel that, under the 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy, is now delivered mainly through an electronic visa applied for before travel rather than issued at the airport.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - the e-Visa is applied for before travel; confirm current timelines on the official Nigeria Immigration Service page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official Nigeria Immigration Service page.
- Typical duration
- Short-term entry for business or urgent travel; not a residence status. Confirm current validity on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
Visa on Arrival was historically a facility for frequently travelling business people and travellers who could not obtain a visa in advance, requiring a pre-approval letter before flying. Under the 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy the legacy airport Visa on Arrival programme was suspended, and the government directs travellers to apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa) before arriving. It is a short-term route for business meetings and urgent travel, permits no employment, and does not lead to residence or settlement. Always confirm the current entry route, because the policy is actively changing.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓A genuine short-term purpose such as a business meeting or urgent travel, with no intention to work or reside.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ✓A valid passport and, under the current policy, an electronic visa obtained before travel.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ✓Evidence of the purpose of travel and onward or return arrangements.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ✓Compliance with the entry route specified by the current Nigeria Visa Policy.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
Common blockers
- !Intending to take up employment, which this route does not permit.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- !Relying on the legacy airport Visa on Arrival, which the 2025 policy suspended in favour of an e-Visa.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- !Travelling without the required pre-arrival electronic visa where it is now mandatory.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and the electronic visa or approval obtained before travel.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ·Invitation letter or evidence of the business or urgent purpose.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ·Return or onward travel arrangements.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ·Proof of accommodation or host details where required.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the trip is genuinely short-term business or urgent travel and check the current entry route on the official Nigeria Immigration Service site.
Build the evidence pack
Prepare the invitation or purpose evidence, passport and travel arrangements required for the electronic visa.
Submit through the official channel
Apply for the electronic visa before travel through the official Nigeria Immigration Service channel.
After approval
Travel within the visa validity, do not undertake employment, and switch to the appropriate work route if you intend to stay and work.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Visa on Arrival / e-Visa (business and urgent travel) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Visa on Arrival / e-Visa (business and urgent travel).
Nigeria Immigration Service · verified
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Related routes
Subject to Regularisation (STR) Employment Visa
The entry visa a foreign worker uses to come to Nigeria for employment and then regularise their stay into a CERPAC residence-and-work permit.
CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card)
The core residence-and-work permit for expatriates living in Nigeria for a year or more, issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service and renewable while the underlying employment and expatriate quota remain valid.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a visa at the airport in Nigeria?+
Under the 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy the legacy airport Visa on Arrival programme was suspended, and travellers are directed to obtain an electronic visa before arriving. Confirm the current entry route on the official Nigeria Immigration Service page before booking travel.
Can I work on this short-term visa?+
No. This is a business or urgent-travel route that does not permit employment and does not lead to residence. For work you need the expatriate quota, STR visa and CERPAC chain - confirm requirements on the official Nigeria Immigration Service page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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