Electronic Visa (e-Visa) System
Helen E. Ijewere
by Helen E. Ijewere
Nigeria’s e-Visa was launched on 01 May 2025. The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) issued this press release on 02 May 2025.
Highlights of the e-Visa
100% online
Approval granted in 48 hours or less
13 types of short visit visas
Only single entry
Valid for 30 to 90 days from date of issue, not extendable
Types of short-term visas
Transit visa
Business – single entry visa
Business – frequently travelled business executive
Tourism visa
Sports visa
Creative arts visa
Study tour visa
Academic exchange programme
International cultural exchange visa
Emergency relief work visa
Returning holders of foreign passports who are Nigerians by birth
Visitor visa – single entry
Business Visa – multiple entry
How to apply for the e-Visa
Visit the e-Visa portal
Register an account
Select visa category
Complete the application form
Upload relevant documents
Pay visa fee
Wait for approval. A unique QR code or e-Visa sticker will be sent via email.
Print confirmation if visa approved
If the application is denied, request for reason or submit a fresh application.
Documents to submit to support an e-Visa application
Passport valid for at least six months
Passport photograph – a recent colour passport photograph with a white background; must not be more than three months old.
Travel Itinerary: round-trip airline tickets, hotel reservations, etc
Invitation letter: a letter of invitation from host organisation in Nigeria
Payment receipt: receipt of payment for the application fee
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if from a country that has yellow fever issues
Proof of financial means: bank statements, credit card statements, or other financial documents to show that you have the funds to support your visit to Nigeria
Employee/student : proof of employment (e.g. a letter from employer); if a student, a letter from your college or university
This is a minimum list. The NIS can mandate additional documents. Check the NIS website for documents mandated for the visa being applied for.
Arrival in Nigeria
The following documents must be presented on arrival in Nigeria:
Printed or digital copy of your e-Visa approval;
Passport (same one used for the application); and
Landing Card.
Visa for 91 days or more
An expatriate who needs a visa for more than 90 days must apply at the Nigerian embassy in the country of their residence.
Conclusion
The 100% digital application for the e-Visa is faster and more secure, making it easier for expatriates to apply for short stay visas in a transparent and efficient manner. By the end of July 2025, 30,000 e-Visas had been approved to expatriates who applied.
Helen E. Ijewere is currently the Regional Chair MEA of the GGI Global Mobility Solutions Practice Group. She is a Director at Nolands Nigeria. Her areas of specialisation are Global Mobility Solutions, Tax, Corporate Governance, Risk, Ethics, Compliance and Fraud. She joined the firm in January 2016 from private practice. She has a JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, NC, USA, and a BA from Trinity College, Washington, DC, USA. Contact Helen.
GGI member firmNolandsMore than 10 offices throughout Africa T: +234 802 318 2843Advisory, Auditing & Accounting, Fiduciary & Estate Planning, Tax
Nolands is an international auditing firm located in eleven offices in all major centres in Africa. Nolands employs almost 200 people and is focused on providing the best possible solutions for its clients. The company prides itself on being “not ordinary” and on its ability to integrate services and respond rapidly to clients’ needs.
