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A visa is one document needed to enter any country on this planet. A visa on arrival is a short visit or tourist visa offered at the point of entry. It was a big deal for tourism when in 2019, President Muhammad Buhari announced a visa on arrival for all Africans nationals. According to the Nigeria Immigration Service, challenges with obtaining visas at the embassy could stem from the absence of a Nigerian mission in those countries or exigencies of urgent business travels.
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Interested in how to apply for Nigeria’s visa on arrival? Follow these steps below:

Step 1: Apply and make payment online

To begin your application and payment, visit the NIS portal and click on Visa on Arrival. To make the application, you will be required to upload the following original documents:
  • Passport photo
  • Introduction/application letter
  • Copy of passport data page
  • Copy of airline return ticket
The introduction letter should be addressed to The Comptroller General of Immigration, NIS HQ, Abuja. It should state:
  • Name of applicant showing, nationality
  • Passport number of applicant
  • Purpose of visit
  • Proposed date of visit
  • Proposed port of entry
  • Flight itinerary
  • Address in Nigeria or hotel reservation
Once the application is submitted successfully, a printable receipt would be issued, with another copy sent to your email. The application would be processed, after which, an approval confirmation and approval letter would be sent to your email within 48hrs (2 working days).
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Note: Successful online payment is not an approval. Applicant should not proceed to Nigeria until receipt of ‘Visa on Arrival Approval Letter’.

Step 2: Arrive at the port of entry and proceed for biometric enrolment, visa issuance and immigration clearance

Upon arrival at the port of entry, proceed to the desk marked ‘Visa on Arrival’ for biometric enrolment and issuance of entry visa. Present the following documents in hard copy:
  • Visa approval letter (pre-approved visa letter), valid for 14 days from the date of issuance
  • Evidence of online payment
  • Valid passport with a minimum of six months validity
  • Valid return ticket
The total cost of the tourist e-Visa issued on arrival for both visa and visa processing is a Standard package of $152 which takes 6 business days, Rush for $182 takes 4 days, and Super Rush for $212, ready within 2 days. The price variation is because of the duration of the visa application processing. Master and Visa debit/credit cards are acceptable for online payment for the visa on arrival. Though Nigeria is not currently open for international flights during this pandemic, many people are eager to visit when it is lifted. Fear not, join the train.   Sources: Nigeria Immigration Service iVisa.com Featured image source: The Vanguard NG
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This article was first published on 25th June 2020

ann

Ann Esievoadje is a freelance writer who is passionate about encouraging a reading culture and personal development. She has authored two books, The Quilt (fiction) and Being Mummy and Me (non-fiction). She manages Pulchra Publishing which offers a content creation/editing, transcription, different forms of writing (including Ghostwriting) service and her blog, Life Love and Anything Goes at annesievoadje.blogspot.com.ng. You can reach her at annesievoadje@gmail.com

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