For Relief workers responding to emergencies in Nigeria.
Nigeria
Nigeria sits in Western Africa. Its immigration system runs 78 distinct routes — led by family, work and short stay & visit, each set out in official law. All 78 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 78across 14 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 78 of 78cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Family32 of the 78 routes — see them under Family below
- Region
- Western Africa
- Capital
- Abuja
- Population
- 237,527,782
- Official language
- English
- Currency
- NGN
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
Immigration routes
All 78 routes, grouped by purpose — 78 of 78 cite an official government source directly.
Work
12 routes
For foreign clerics taking up a long-term religious appointment in Nigeria.
For foreign nationals offered employment under an approved Expatriate Quota.
For expatriates employed in Nigerian Free Zones (e.g., Lekki Free Trade Zone).
For expatriates employed directly by the Nigerian Government.
For expatriates working with International NGOs in Nigeria.
A type of visa issued to persons who wish to undergo resident internship programme in Nigeria.
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
Short visit visa for staff of International Non-Governmental organizations (INGOs) for the purpose of INGO activities.
Short visit visa for staff of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Allows experts invited by corporate bodies for the purpose of providing specialized skilled services.
Allows experts invited by corporate bodies for the purpose of providing specialized skilled services.
Investment
5 routes
A multiple-entry type visa for potential large-Scale Corporate Investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.
A multiple-entry type visa for potential medium-scale enterprise investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.
A multiple-entry type visa for potential oil/gas/power sector investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.
A multiple-entry type visa for potential small-scale enterprise investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.
A multiple-entry type visa for potential ultra large-Scale Corporate Investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.
Talent & merit
2 routes
Short stay visa for artistic, entertainment, or musical performance in Nigeria.
A Highly Skilled Immigrant Visa for foreign nationals who possess knowledge, abilities, and technical know-how deemed highly relevant to the current and future needs of the Nigerian economy.
Study
4 routes
Short Visa to visit Nigeria for the purpose of formal academic exchange programme.
A type of visa issued for the purpose of Resident Academic Exchange Programme (AEP) in Nigeria.
A type of visa issued for the purpose of schooling in Nigeria.
Visa to visit Nigeria for the purpose of short-term academic visits or study tours.
Family
32 routes
A Visa type for dependant (18 years and above) of Permanent Resident Visa holders (Investors, Highly Skilled Immigrants, and Retirees) who wish to reside in Nigeria.
A visa type issued to dependants of accredited Diplomat who are 18 years and above.
A visa type issued to dependants of expatriates (18 years and above) employed on expatriate quota.
A visa type issued to dependants of accredited diplomats aged parents (65 years and above).
A type of visa granted to aged parents (65 years and above) of employed expatriate on quotas.
A Visa type for aged parents (65 years and above) of Permanent Resident Visa holders under the Investor, Highly Skilled, or Retirement categories who wish to reside in Nigeria.
A visa type issued to dependants of employed expatriates on quota who are less than 18 years of age.
A visa type issued to dependants of accredited Diplomats who are less than 18 years of age.
A visa type for dependant (under 18 years) of Permanent Resident Visa holders under the Investor, Highly Skilled, or Retirement categories who wish to reside in Nigeria.
Dependant of Cleric (18 years and above) Visa – R6D.
Dependant of Cleric (Aged Parent, 65 years and above) Visa – R6E.
Dependant of Cleric (Minor) Visa – R6C.
Dependant of Expatriate – Free Zone (18 years and above) Visa – R3D.
Dependant of Expatriate – Free Zone (Aged Parent, 65 years and above) Visa – R3E.
Dependant of Expatriate – Free Zone (Minor) Visa – R3C.
Dependant of Government Official (18 years and above) Visa – R4D.
Dependant of Government Official (Aged Parent, 65 years and above) Visa – R4E.
Dependant of Government Official (Minor) Visa – R4C.
Dependant of INGO Staff (18 years and above) Visa – R5D.
Dependant of INGO Staff (Aged Parent, 65 years and above) Visa – R5E.
Dependant of INGO Staff (Minor) Visa – R5C.
A visa type issued to spouse of accredited diplomat visa is issued to spouse of accredited Diplomats to Nigeria.
A type of visa issued to the Spouse of Academic Exchange Programme (AEP) participants to reside in Nigeria..
Spouse of Cleric Visa – R6B.
Spouse of Expatriate – Free Zone Visa – R3B.
A visa type issued to dependants of expatriates (18 years and above) employed on expatriate quota.
Spouse of Government Official Visa – R4B.
Spouse of INGO Staff Visa – R5B.
A type of visa issued to spouses of Nigerian Citizens, in line with the provision of Section 37 (10) of Immigration Act 2015.
A multiple-entry type visa for spouses of Nigerians by Birth Who Renounced Nigerian citizenship.
A visa type for the spouses of Permanent Resident Visa holders (Investors, Highly Skilled Immigrants, and Retirees) who wish to reside in Nigeria.
A type of visa issued to spouse of international student in Nigeria.
Independent means
2 routes
A multiple-entry type retirement Visa for persons aged 65 years and above who have retired in Nigeria, having worked in the country for a minimum of 20 years and wish to continue residing in Nigeria.
A multiple-entry type visa for persons aged 65 years and above who have retired abroad and now wishes to reside in Nigeria.
Free movement
1 route
Visa-free entry and stay in Nigeria for ECOWAS citizens for up to 90 days.
Cultural, religious & volunteer
4 routes
Short stay visa for religious officials visiting Nigeria to conduct or participate in religious activities such as preaching seminars or conferences.
For workers visiting Nigeria for humanitarian services.
Visa to visit Nigeria for the purpose of cultural exchange activities.
Short visa issued to religious Faithfuls/adherents/followers who wish to visit Nigeria for the purpose of attending religious activities/programmes/ pilgrimages or faith-based events.
Short stay & visit
7 routes
A multiple-entry type of visa granted to frequently travelled business-persons with investment in Nigeria.
A multiple entry type of visa granted to persons for business trips who intend to come into Nigeria multiple times within a period.
A Single-Entry Visa granted to persons who wish to visit Nigeria for business meeting, conference, seminar, training, contract negotiation, marketing, sales, procurement of Nigerian goods/Services, trade fairs and job interview.
Entry for nationals covered by a current Nigerian visa abolition or waiver agreement.
A single-entry type of visa granted to persons who wish to visit Nigeria for the purpose of tourism.
A multiple entry type of visa granted to persons who frequently visit Nigeria for social purposes whose countries offer reciprocal privileges to Nigerians.
A single-entry type of visa granted to persons who wish to visit Nigeria for social visits to family and friends.
Ancestry & return
3 routes
For a Nigerian by birth who renounced Nigerian citizenship, under Section 37(12) of the Immigration Act 2015.
For a Nigerian by birth under Sections 25 and 31 of the 1999 Constitution who now travels on a foreign passport and wishes to re-enter Nigeria.
For a minor under 18 whose parents are Nigerian by birth under Sections 25 and 31 of the 1999 Constitution, travelling on a foreign passport with a parent or legal guardian.
Medical treatment
1 route
A Visa type granted to visit to Nigeria for the purpose of receiving medical care in Nigerian hospitals or clinics.
Sports
1 route
A short stay Visa to visit Nigeria for the purpose of participation in or attendance at sport activities or sports competitions.
Transit
2 routes
A type of visa granted to persons transiting through Nigeria to another destination for a period of 1-7 days.
A visa type that allows transfer/direct transit passengers not staying beyond 48 hours with no need to enter Nigerian territory.
Other & special
2 routes
For fully accredited diplomats posted to Nigeria.
A short-term type of visa for diplomatic officials who are not accredited to Nigeria.
Official sources
- Nigeria Immigration ServiceGovernment
- Citizenship and Business DepartmentGovernment
- Citizenship Rights in Africa InitiativeGovernment
- [NSO] National Bureau of StatisticsGovernment
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