Nigeria Tourist Visa - Definitive Guide

There are different kinds of Nigerian visa for different kinds of purposes. A visa issued for the travellers who are willing to visit the country for tourism, a Nigeria tourist visa is issued. This visa will allow you to tour throughout the country and visit your favourite tourist locations. It is a short term visa that is valid for 90 days. 

Another kind of short-stay visa for Nigeria is a Nigeria visitor visa. This visa differs from the Nigeria tourist visa by the purpose of the visit. This visa is required when you are looking forward to visiting your family or friends in the country. To obtain this visa, you require an invitation from the person you are visiting in Nigeria. The validity for a Nigeria visitor visa is 90 days as well, which can be extended as per the requirement.

In order to apply for either one of the visas, you need to follow the online application process. The complete procedure is a combination of online and offline processes. The step by step Nigeria visa application process is as follows:

1. Visit the official immigration website of Nigeria and fill out the online application form.
2. Pay the fees for the visa online.
3. Get the visa application form and the payment receipt printed.
4. Attach 2 photographs to the filled out Visa Form IMM22 along with the other supporting documents and mail it to the embassy of Nigeria.
5. Instead, you can even visit the embassy individually for the submission of the documents and the form, or hand over your documents to the concerned visa application centre.
6. When the documents are submitted, the candidate has to visit nearby OIS centre for the biometrics when the application form and the documents are being verified by the embassy at the same time.

At the time of filling the form and providing the documents, it is important that correct information is filled in the form and the documents are genuine. In case if any kind of error has occurred or any mistake is made, there are chances that the visa application process may get delayed and might even get rejected at times. Although this category does not provide visa on arrival for Indians.

In order to get the Nigeria tourist visa or even the Nigeria visitor visa, there are certain parameters that you need to keep in mind. To apply for this type of Nigeria visa:

• You must have proof of confirmed visit
• Pre-bookings of the round trip must be done.
• You must visit for tourism only and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• You must possess proof of purpose of visit
• If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Nigeria.
• You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• You must meet the health requirements
• You must be healthy enough to travel to Nigeria.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.
• You must meet the character requirements
• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Nigeria.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds
• You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Nigeria.
• Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There is a list of documents that are required for the application of Nigeria tourist visa and Nigeria visitor visa. The requirements for Nigeria tourist visa are as follows:

• For Nigeria tourist visa:
• Passport with validity with minimum 6 months with 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
• Photographs as per the photo specifications
• Confirmed return ticket.
• Bank statement from the past 6 months or any other proof of sufficient funds.
• Proof of accommodation - Hotel Reservation.
• Certificate of Polio Vaccination (Original)
• Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination (Original)
• For Nigeria visitor visa:
• Passport with validity with minimum 6 months with 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
• Photographs as per the photo specifications
• Confirmed return ticket.
• Bank statement from the past 6 months or any other proof of sufficient funds.
• Proof of accommodation - address of the inviter/Hotel Reservation.
• Invitation letter from the inviter or the host.
• Certificate of Polio Vaccination (Original)
• Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination (Original)
  

• 2 identical passport size photos
• Recently taken, not older than 3 months
• Coloured, with a white background
• Dimensions: 35mm X 45mm
• Face should cover 80% of the photo
• Facial expression - neutral
• Head in a central location
• Spectacles or any kind of glasses are not allowed
• Headwear - permitted in case of religious reasons

Generally, the processing time required for the Nigeria tourist visa or Nigeria visitor visa is 10 to 12 business days. The time for the visa application process may still vary depending on other factors that affect the same.

The fee for the visas will vary as per the requirement of the services and the urgency of the requirement of the visa. The number of entries allowed, biometric charges, online service fee, etc. are the aspects that affect the visa fees for Nigeria.

To check the status of the visa, you can check it online on the website of the Nigeria Embassy or visit the website of the visa application centre through which you have applied. To check the status offline, you can call the embassy with the visa application number and get to know the status of your visa application.

When the application is submitted and processed and you finally have the visa stamp on your passport, there are certain measures that you need to take care of -

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Nigeria within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Nigeria

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.