Travel Tips: How to Apply for Nigeria’s Visa On Arrival

Ann Esievoadje

4 years ago

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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