How-to apply for and obtain a Visa On Arrival facility to Nigeria

[Jamiu]

Recently, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) made a change to the processes by which foreigners can apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) facility to Nigeria. The visa on arrival (VOA) facility is a prior approval obtained from the NIS headquarters situated in the capital of Nigeria, Abuja, which grants the holder the right to be issued a business visa on arrival at any Nigerian entry port.

Before May 13, 2019, businesses that intend to invite their foreign partners or stakeholders for business meetings, conferences, contract negotiation, etc., were required to submit their request for the VOA via the email of NIS, after which the approval is sent back via the same medium. We could say this process used to be email based.

Now, applicants are required to apply for their visa via a web-based portal (https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/freshVisa). Applicants would be required to complete the online application and make payments accordingly. During the application, applicants would be required to upload the following documents:

• Passport Photograph (200-pixel X 450-pixel)
• Copy of the Biodata Page of applicant’s Passport
• Copy of Airline Return Ticket
• Certificate of Incorporation for Host Company, or in case of NGOs, a letter of Permission.
• Letter of Invitation (LOI) from Host Company
• Introduction/Application Letter – This should be addressed to the Comptroller General of Immigration, NIS HQ, Abuja. Also, it is expedient that the following pieces of information are stated in the Application Letter:

1. a) Name of Applicant indicating Nationality
2. b) Passport number of Applicant
3. c) Purpose of visit
4. d) Proposed date of visit
5. e) Proposed port of entry
6. f) Flight itinerary
7. g) Address in Nigeria or Hotel Reservation

Once the application has been submitted and online receipt issued (Please print this out), the NIS is expected to process the application, and once duly vetted and approved, issue an approval confirmation and Approval Letter for the VOA facility to the applicant via their email.

Typically, it takes 48 hours to receive the VOA Approval after successful submission and payment. It is advisable to make payment using Master or Visa credit cards. Also, please note that the VOA Approval is only valid for 14 days from the date of issuance. This means that it must be presented at a Nigerian port of entry within 14 days from the date it was issued.

On arrival at the Port of entry (Airport), you would need to be armed with the following documents for a Biometric exercise after which the business would be issued accordingly and you can begin exploring Le Nigéria ?:

1. Visa on Approval (VOA) Letter
2. Evidence of online payment (Online Payment Receipt)
3. Valid Passport with minimum of six months validity
4. Valid return ticket

Voilà, applying for a business visa to Nigeria can just be done from behind your keyboard. Please visit https://immigration.gov.ng/visa-fees/ (the single entry column) to know the visa fees by Nationality. Also, please note that an additional 20$ processing fee is applicable.

Thank you!

[Austinelewex]

Very good update @Jamiu .This would go a long way in helping foreigners. Thank you for sharing it with us

[TaofeekOseni]

Thanks for sharing @Jamiu

This initiative is in line with International organization for Migration that supports to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration around the world.

[Jamiu]

You’re welcome. @Austinelewex

[Jamiu]

Thank you @TaofeekOseni !

[alokeme]

Thank you @Jamiu

[KlaudiyaG]

Hi @Jamiu ,

Thank you for sharing this useful information with the community. I also wanted to let you know that I’ve released your post from our spam quarantine. Apologies for any inconvenience caused - our spam filters are sensitive and can be triggered by a myriad of functions. To learn more about this topic, feel free to check - Why was my Connect post marked as spam?.

[Jamiu]

Thank you very much for the update. This has also given me the opportunity to go through the rule on posts again.

[KlaudiyaG]

Hey @Jamiu ,

It’s wonderful that you found my comment useful. I’ll take this opportunity to inform you that I removed the solution that you have given to my previous reply as it was not actually a solution to a problem, question or issue that you have. We do encourage Local Guides to accept replies as solutions, but to learn more about when is best to mark them, I highly recommend that you check the following article - Tip: How to mark replies as solutions — “Accept as Solution” feature. This will help reduce clutter and avoid confusion for other Local Guides that are looking for solutions via Connect.

P.S.: When responding to someone, be sure to tag them (by writing @ before their name) in your post or reply. This way they’ll receive a notification that you are trying to reach them.

[Jamiu]

@user_not_found @Thank you very much for educating me on this. I have also read the article and it’s helpful. Actually, I had thought clicking the “Accept as Solution” button was a way of acknowledging my understanding of your post. I know better now.

Thank you! @KlaudiyaG

[KlaudiyaG]

I understand completely @Jamiu and I do appreciate the gesture. Not everybody is aware of the Accept Solution button’s purpose and I understand that it can be confusing for new comers, but that’s why I and my fellow moderators are here for, to help you use of the community forum ease and to help you make the best use of your time here.