Visa on Arrival / e-Visa (business and urgent travel)

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

Application pathway

1. 01

   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.

2. 02

   Build the evidence pack

   Prepare the invitation or purpose evidence, passport and travel arrangements required for the electronic visa.

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

   Apply for the electronic visa before travel through the official Nigeria Immigration Service channel.

4. 04

   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.

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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.