Nigeria: New Visa Categories and Visa Exemption Implemented

Update - May 8, 2025: The government of Nigeria has now officially introduced the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 (NVP 2025), which adds a fourth new visa category: Short Visit Visas (e-Visa) for business, tourism, and similar short-term purposes, in addition to the already-available categories mentioned below. The new Short Visit Visas (e-Visa) category supports the recently launched eVisa system, which became effective on May 1, 2025. Although the policy has been officially introduced, the implementation of the NVP 2025 in its entirety may be gradual and subject to delays in practice.

March 28, 2023: As an update to the Nigeria Visa Policy 2020, the Comptroller General of Immigration has grouped available visas from the previous six types into three groups on the Nigeria Immigration Service portal. Specifically, the Short Visit Visa (24 subtypes), which allows business visitors and tourists to visit Nigeria up to three months; Temporary Residence Visa (36 subtypes), which allows foreign employees and students to reside in Nigeria for up to two years; and Permanent Residence Visa (15 subtypes), which allows highly-skilled foreign nationals and their dependents, investors and retirees to permanently settle in Nigeria. The online platform is temporarily unavailable due to technical issues, but applicants can still submit applications in person or by mail for the new visa categories until the system is functioning. In addition, a visa exemption has been implemented for business visitors and tourists from ECOWAS Member States, Visa Abolition Agreement Countries, Visa Waiver for International Countries and Reciprocity Visa Waiver Agreement Countries, which allows single entry stays of up to 90 days. These changes have been delayed since 2020 due to changes in administration.