Every visa application requires certain documents to prove your identity, show ties to Nigeria, that will guarantee you will return to Nigeria after your granted stay period, and documents proving you can fund your trip.
Some documents required for a visa application in most countries are consistent. In this article, I will educate you on the visa requirements for Nigerian citizens interested in travelling to other countries.
Key takeaway:
- Most pre-approval visa applications demand similar core documents: a valid passport, completed application forms, proof of financial capability through bank statements, and evidence of ties to Nigeria, such as employment letters or business registration documents.
- The key to a successful application is providing genuine, complete documentation that proves two things: you can afford your trip, and you have strong reasons to return to Nigeria.
- The visa requirements for Nigerian citizens depend on their destination. A handful of countries, like Ghana and Barbados, offer visa-free entry, while others, like Ethiopia, provide visas on arrival. However, over 130 countries, including the UK, the US, and China, require Nigerians to obtain visa approval before travel.
What are the visa requirements for Nigerian citizens planning on travelling abroad?
Visa requirements for Nigerian citizens refer to the entry conditions set by foreign governments to regulate who can enter their borders.
The visa requirements for Nigerian citizens vary by country of destination. Some countries like Ghana offer visa-free entry to Nigerian citizens, some countries like Ethiopia offer a visa on arrival, while other countries, like the UK and, US, offer a visa in advance to Nigerian citizens.
Visa requirements for visa-free entry countries for Nigerian citizens.
There are no visa requirements for Nigerian citizens for entry into visa-free countries. Nigerian Citizens can legally visit visa-free countries for a set period of time (e.g., Barbados for 180 days).
Visa-Free Countries for Nigerian Citizens
These are the visa free countries for Nigerian passport holders:
|
Country/Territory |
Maximum Stay |
Notes |
|
Barbados |
180 days |
Free entry for tourism |
|
Benin |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Burkina Faso |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Cameroon |
90 days |
|
|
Cape Verde |
30 days |
|
|
Central African Republic |
90 days |
|
|
Chad |
90 days |
|
|
Cook Islands |
31 days |
|
|
Côte d’Ivoire |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Dominica |
21 days |
|
|
Fiji |
120 days |
|
|
Gambia |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Ghana |
60 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Guinea |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Guinea-Bissau |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Haiti |
90 days |
|
|
Liberia |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Mali |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Micronesia |
30 days |
|
|
Niger |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Niue |
30 days |
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
90 days |
|
|
Senegal |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Sierra Leone |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Togo |
90 days |
ECOWAS member |
|
Vanuatu |
30 days |
Visa requirements for visa-on-arrival countries for Nigerian citizens.
Countries that issue visas on arrival or e-visas to Nigerians usually require similar documents, and they are as follows.
- Passport valid for 6+ months with blank pages
- Return ticket
- Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings)
- For business: Invitation from the host and company documents
- Evidence of sufficient funds
Visa on Arrival Countries for Nigerian Citizens
These countries offer visas upon arrival at the airport or border:
|
Country/Territory |
Maximum Stay |
Requirements |
|
Bolivia |
90 days |
Valid passport, return ticket, proof of accommodation |
|
Cambodia |
30 days |
Valid passport (6+ months), passport photo, visa fee |
|
Comoros |
45 days |
Valid passport, return ticket |
|
Ethiopia |
90 days |
Only at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport |
|
Guinea-Bissau |
90 days |
Valid passport, return ticket |
|
Iran |
30 days |
Valid passport, visa fee |
|
Madagascar |
60 days |
Valid passport, return ticket, and accommodation proof |
|
Maldives |
30 days |
Valid passport, return ticket, and accommodation proof |
|
Mauritania |
30 days |
Only at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport |
|
Mauritius |
60 days |
Valid passport, return ticket, accommodation proof |
|
Mozambique |
30 days |
Valid passport, return ticket |
|
Palau |
30 days |
Valid passport, return ticket |
|
Rwanda |
30 days |
Valid passport, visa fee |
|
Samoa |
60 days |
Valid passport, return ticket |
|
Seychelles |
Suspended |
Nigerian passport holders currently restricted |
|
Somalia |
30 days |
Only at select airports (Mogadishu, Bosaso, Galcaio) |
|
Tanzania |
90 days |
Valid passport, visa fee, yellow fever certificate |
|
Timor-Leste |
30 days |
Valid passport, visa fee |
|
Tuvalu |
30 days |
Valid passport, return ticket |
|
Uganda |
90 days |
Valid passport, yellow fever certificate |
eVisa Countries for Nigerian Citizens
These countries allow Nigerians to apply for electronic visas online before travel:
|
Country/Territory |
Processing Time |
Validity |
Notes |
|
Albania |
5-7 days |
90 days |
Must have valid Schengen/UK/US visa |
|
Angola |
3-5 days |
30 days |
Apply via SME Visa portal |
|
Australia |
7-14 days |
90 days |
Tourist eVisa (subclass 600) |
|
Bahrain |
3-5 days |
14 days |
eVisa available online |
|
Benin |
48-72 hours |
30-90 days |
eVisa option available |
|
Bhutan |
5-7 days |
30 days |
Must book through licensed operator |
|
Botswana |
3-7 days |
90 days |
eVisa portal available |
|
Colombia |
5-10 days |
90 days |
eVisa system available |
|
Congo (DRC) |
5-7 days |
30 days |
eVisa available |
|
Djibouti |
48 hours |
90 days |
eVisa online |
|
Egypt |
7 days |
30 days |
eVisa available |
|
Equatorial Guinea |
5-7 days |
90 days |
eVisa portal available |
|
Ethiopia |
3-5 days |
30-90 days |
Must arrive via Addis Ababa airport |
|
Gabon |
3-7 days |
90 days |
eVisa required |
|
Georgia |
5 days |
30 days |
eVisa available |
|
India |
4 days |
60 days |
eVisa for tourism/business |
|
Kenya |
3 days |
90 days |
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) |
|
Kyrgyzstan |
3 days |
60 days |
eVisa available |
|
Lesotho |
5 days |
30 days |
eVisa system available |
|
Madagascar |
3 days |
30-60 days |
eVisa option available |
|
Malawi |
7 days |
30-90 days |
eVisa portal |
|
Morocco |
3-7 days |
30-90 days |
eVisa for eligible travelers |
|
Mozambique |
5 days |
30 days |
eVisa available |
|
Pakistan |
7-10 days |
30 days |
eVisa for tourism/business |
|
São Tomé and Príncipe |
3 days |
30 days |
eVisa online |
|
South Africa |
10-15 days |
90 days |
Must arrive via O.R. Tambo Airport |
|
South Sudan |
5-7 days |
30 days |
eVisa available |
|
Sri Lanka |
48 hours |
30 days |
Electronic Travel Authorization |
|
Suriname |
5-7 days |
90 days |
eVisa portal available |
|
Tajikistan |
3 days |
45 days |
eVisa online |
|
Turkey |
48 hours |
30-90 days |
eVisa system |
|
Uganda |
3 days |
90 days |
eVisa available |
|
Vietnam |
3 days |
30 days |
eVisa portal |
|
Zambia |
3-5 days |
90 days |
eVisa available |
|
Zimbabwe |
3 days |
90 days |
eVisa system |
Visa requirements for Nigerian citizens applying for preapproval visas.
Over 130 countries or territories require Nigerian citizens to secure visas before travelling to their country, including the UK, the US, and China.
Note:
Always confirm the specific visa requirements for Nigerian citizens for your destination country by visiting their embassy/consulate or their official website.
Countries and their visa requirements for Nigerian citizens.
|
Country |
Visa Requirement |
Allowed Stay |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan |
Visa required |
||
|
Albania |
eVisa |
Visa not required for holders of a valid multiple-entry Schengen, UK, or US visa used at least once. |
|
|
Algeria |
Visa required |
||
|
Andorra |
Visa required |
||
|
Angola |
eVisa |
||
|
Antigua and Barbuda |
eVisa |
||
|
Argentina |
Visa required |
||
|
Armenia |
Visa required |
Invitation only. |
|
|
Australia |
Visa required |
May apply online (Online Visitor e600 visa). |
|
|
Austria |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Azerbaijan |
Visa required |
||
|
Bahamas |
eVisa |
||
|
Bahrain |
eVisa |
||
|
Bangladesh |
Visa required |
||
|
Barbados |
Visa not required |
6 months |
|
|
Belarus |
Visa required |
||
|
Belgium |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Belize |
Visa required |
||
|
Benin |
Visa not required |
90 days |
ECOWAS member. |
|
Bhutan |
eVisa |
||
|
Bolivia |
Visa required |
||
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Visa required |
||
|
Botswana |
eVisa |
||
|
Brazil |
Visa required |
||
|
Brunei |
Visa required |
||
|
Bulgaria |
Visa required |
||
|
Burkina Faso |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Burundi |
Visa required |
Must hold an Entry Authorisation letter issued by authorities beforehand. |
|
|
Cambodia |
eVisa / Visa on arrival |
30 days |
|
|
Cameroon |
Visa not required |
90 days |
|
|
Canada |
Visa required |
||
|
Cape Verde |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Central African Republic |
Visa required |
||
|
Chad |
Visa not required |
3 months |
|
|
Chile |
Visa required |
||
|
China |
Visa required |
24-hour visa-free transit allowed through most international airports. |
|
|
Colombia |
eVisa |
May apply online. |
|
|
Comoros |
Visa on arrival |
45 days |
|
|
Congo (Rep. of) |
Visa required |
||
|
Congo (Dem. Rep.) |
eVisa |
7 days |
|
|
Costa Rica |
Visa required |
||
|
Côte d’Ivoire |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Croatia |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Cuba |
Visa required |
||
|
Cyprus |
Visa required |
||
|
Czech Republic |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Denmark |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Djibouti |
eVisa |
31 days |
|
|
Dominica |
Visa not required |
6 months |
|
|
Dominican Republic |
Visa required |
||
|
Ecuador |
Visa required |
||
|
Egypt |
Visa required |
||
|
El Salvador |
Visa required |
||
|
Equatorial Guinea |
eVisa |
||
|
Eritrea |
Visa required |
||
|
Estonia |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Eswatini |
Visa required |
||
|
Ethiopia |
eVisa / Visa on arrival |
Up to 90 days |
VOA obtainable only at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. |
|
Fiji |
Visa not required |
4 months |
|
|
Finland |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
France |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Gabon |
eVisa |
Holders must arrive via Libreville International Airport. |
|
|
Gambia |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Georgia |
Visa required |
eVisa available for holders of valid Schengen/OECD visas. |
|
|
Germany |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Ghana |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Greece |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Grenada |
Visa required |
||
|
Guatemala |
Visa required |
||
|
Guinea |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Guinea-Bissau |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Guyana |
Visa required |
||
|
Haiti |
Visa not required |
3 months |
|
|
Honduras |
Visa required |
||
|
Hungary |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Iceland |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
India |
Visa required |
||
|
Indonesia |
Visa required |
Calling visa category (requires prior approval). |
|
|
Iran |
Visa on arrival |
30 days |
|
|
Iraq |
eVisa |
||
|
Ireland |
Visa required |
||
|
Israel |
Visa required |
||
|
Italy |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Jamaica |
Visa required |
||
|
Japan |
Visa required |
||
|
Jordan |
Visa required |
||
|
Kazakhstan |
eVisa |
||
|
Kenya |
Visa not required |
90 days |
eTA required for entry. |
|
Kiribati |
Visa not required |
90 days |
|
|
North Korea |
Visa required |
||
|
South Korea |
Visa required |
||
|
Kuwait |
Visa required |
||
|
Kyrgyzstan |
eVisa |
||
|
Laos |
Visa required |
||
|
Latvia |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Lebanon |
Visa on arrival |
30 days |
|
|
Lesotho |
eVisa |
||
|
Liberia |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Libya |
eVisa |
||
|
Liechtenstein |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Lithuania |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Luxembourg |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Madagascar |
eVisa / Visa on arrival |
90 days |
|
|
Malawi |
eVisa |
||
|
Malaysia |
eVisa |
||
|
Maldives |
Visa on arrival |
30 days |
Free visa on arrival. |
|
Mali |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Malta |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Marshall Islands |
Visa required |
||
|
Mauritania |
eVisa / Visa on arrival |
Available at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport. |
|
|
Mauritius |
Visa on arrival |
2 weeks |
|
|
Mexico |
Visa required |
Visa not required for holders of valid Canada, US, UK, or Schengen visas. |
|
|
Micronesia |
Visa not required |
30 days |
|
|
Moldova |
Visa required |
||
|
Monaco |
Visa required |
||
|
Mongolia |
Visa required |
||
|
Montenegro |
Visa required |
||
|
Morocco |
Visa required |
eVisa available for holders of Schengen, US, UK, etc. visas. |
|
|
Mozambique |
Visa on arrival |
30 days |
|
|
Myanmar |
Visa required |
||
|
Namibia |
Visa on arrival |
||
|
Nauru |
Visa required |
||
|
Nepal |
Visa required |
||
|
Netherlands |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
New Zealand |
Visa required |
||
|
Nicaragua |
Visa required |
VOA if holding valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa. |
|
|
Niger |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
North Macedonia |
Visa required |
||
|
Norway |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Oman |
Visa required |
||
|
Pakistan |
Online Visa |
||
|
Palau |
Visa on arrival |
30 days |
Free visa on arrival. |
|
Panama |
Visa required |
||
|
Papua New Guinea |
Visa required |
||
|
Paraguay |
Visa required |
||
|
Peru |
Visa required |
||
|
Philippines |
eVisa |
59 days |
|
|
Poland |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Portugal |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Qatar |
eVisa |
||
|
Romania |
Visa required |
||
|
Russia |
Visa required |
||
|
Rwanda |
Visa not required |
||
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
Visa not required |
3 months |
eTA may be required. |
|
Saint Lucia |
Visa required |
||
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
Visa required |
||
|
Samoa |
Visa on arrival |
60 days |
Entry permit on arrival (free). |
|
San Marino |
Visa required |
||
|
São Tomé and Príncipe |
eVisa |
15 days |
|
|
Saudi Arabia |
Visa required |
||
|
Senegal |
Visa not required |
90 days |
ECOWAS member. |
|
Serbia |
Visa required |
||
|
Seychelles |
Visa on arrival |
3 months |
Visitor’s Permit issued on arrival. |
|
Sierra Leone |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Singapore |
Visa required |
||
|
Slovakia |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Slovenia |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Solomon Islands |
Visa required |
||
|
Somalia |
eVisa / Visa on arrival |
30 days |
VOA at major airports. |
|
South Africa |
eVisa |
||
|
South Sudan |
eVisa |
||
|
Spain |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Sri Lanka |
Visa required |
||
|
Sudan |
Visa required |
||
|
Suriname |
eVisa |
||
|
Sweden |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Switzerland |
Visa required |
Schengen visa required. |
|
|
Syria |
eVisa |
||
|
Tajikistan |
eVisa |
||
|
Tanzania |
Visa required |
||
|
Thailand |
eVisa |
||
|
Timor-Leste |
Visa on arrival |
30 days |
|
|
Togo |
Visa not required |
ECOWAS member. |
|
|
Tonga |
Visa required |
||
|
Trinidad and Tobago |
eVisa |
||
|
Tunisia |
Visa required |
||
|
Turkey |
Visa required |
||
|
Turkmenistan |
Visa required |
||
|
Tuvalu |
Visa on arrival |
1 month |
|
|
Uganda |
eVisa / Visa on arrival |
||
|
Ukraine |
Visa required |
||
|
United Arab Emirates |
eVisa |
||
|
United Kingdom |
Visa required |
||
|
United States |
Visa required |
||
|
Uruguay |
Visa required |
||
|
Uzbekistan |
Visa required |
||
|
Vanuatu |
Visa not required |
30 days |
|
|
Vatican City |
Visa required |
||
|
Venezuela |
Visa required |
||
|
Vietnam |
eVisa |
90 days |
|
|
Yemen |
Visa required |
||
|
Zambia |
eVisa |
||
|
Zimbabwe |
eVisa |
What documents are required for a Visa approval for Nigerian citizens?
Documents are required for a visa approval, while the specific documents required differ by country or territory, here are the documents requested more often.
Personal Identification Documents
Personal identification documents are required for a visa because they prove that you are really who you claim you are.
- Valid international passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the time of your departure to your destination country.
- Passport biodata page: It contains details about yourself, such as name, place of birth, and date of birth. etc It is used to check the validity of your passport. You are required to bring a photocopy of it when applying for a visa.
- Previous passport photographs (if any).
- National ID or birth certificate (if requested).
Get your visa ready in 2 weeks with no down payment.
Visa Application Documents.
These are the official documents, and you would use your visa application.
- Completed visa application form: You will find this form on the country’s official visa application website. It has spaces for information such as your Full name (as shown in your passport), date and place of birth, and Home address.
- Visa application fee receipt: This Fee is paid after you have filled out your visa application form. The fees vary for countries and visas and can be paid online or using cash using a recognised bank like GTB
- Appointment or interview confirmation: After you have paid for the visa application and you have received your payment confirmation or payment receipt, you can go ahead and schedule an interview
Visa-specific forms: These are forms that go with a specific Visa Type and are not compulsory for all visa applications. If you fail to fill out this form, it could hinder your chances of getting your visa approved.
Travel and Accommodation Documents.
These documents are required for a visa; they show your travel plans. This includes your flight ticket, hotel bookings, or booked Airbnb( short-let), and if you are going to be staying with someone, you would show your Invitation letter from them.
Some countries also require travel insurance that covers your expenses in case any problems occur during your stay in the foreign country.
Financial Proof Documents.
Financial documents are required for a visa. Embassies use these to check if you can support yourself during the trip.
- Recent bank statements
- Proof of income or salary slips
- Sponsorship letter (if someone is sponsoring you)
- Proof of assets or savings, such as houses and landed properties.
Any attempt to pay a huge amount of money into your account just prior to the time of your application would be deemed as suspicious, as it wouldn’t show an accurate state of your financial capability.
Sudden deposits would be seen as borrowed money meant to deceive the visa officers.
Employment, Business, or Study Documents.
These documents are required for a visa; they help you to show strong ties to your home country and prove that you have a reason to return home and not go against your visa.
If you are an employee, you can show your employment letter and leave approval Letter, which shows the starting and ending of your leave, and that your job will be kept for you while on your trip.
If you are a business owner, you would need to show your Business Registration Documents and prove legitimacy using your certificates of incorporation (CAC) and tax clearance certificates (TCC).
If you are a student, you would need to submit a copy of your admission letter and student ID.
Note:
The documents you should make use of should have an official signature and should be issued within the last 3 months.
Supporting documents.
These are documents that offer a clear narrative as to why you are travelling and why you are travelling at that particular time of the year. It can also carry medical and police reports to ensure you are not a potential harm to their country.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
Yes, a 3–6 month bank statement is usually accepted, but it must show stable and genuine funds.
A valid passport, a visa application form, an appointment confirmation, photographs, financial proof, and supporting documents.
There is no fixed number; the required documents depend on the country and visa type.
A valid passport, completed application form, fee payment, and documents proving travel purpose and finances.
A valid passport, completed application form, fee payment, and documents proving travel purpose and finances.
CONCLUSION
The visa requirements for Nigerian citizens range from visa-free to easy visa on arrival to pre-approved visas. You have to be certain of the visa requirements of your destination country, and get your visa approved if you need to.
Documents are required for a visa, and they vary by country, so you must always check the embassy’s official website for the right and up-to-date information. With honesty and by submitting the complete documents, your chances of visa approval are increased.
