The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled a comprehensive e-visa platform that now accommodates 13 visa categories, marking a significant advancement in the country’s visa processing system. The announcement came on Sunday as part of the implementation of the 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy initiatives.
According to an official statement shared on the NIS X account (formerly Twitter), the new platform represents a complete digital transformation of Nigeria’s visa application system. Foreign nationals and Nigerians holding dual citizenship can now apply for, monitor, and receive visas electronically, without the need to physically visit Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad.
The e-visa system promises processing times of approximately 48 hours, dramatically reducing the waiting periods associated with traditional application methods.
The 13 visa categories now available through the online platform include:
- Business visa (single entry)
- Business visa for frequent business travelers
- Tourism visa
- Sports visa
- Creative arts visa
- Study tour visa
- Academic exchange program visa (for students, scholars, and lecturers)
- International cultural exchange visa
- Emergency relief work visa
- Visa for returning Nigerians by birth who hold foreign passports
- Visitor visa (single entry)
- Business visa (multiple entry)
- Various short-stay travel categories
Applicants must meet several requirements to successfully obtain an e-visa:
- Possess a valid passport with at least six months’ validity remaining
- Submit a recent passport photograph
- Provide travel itinerary details
- Include purpose-specific documentation based on the visa category
- Meet other category-specific eligibility criteria
Upon approval, the visa is delivered electronically to the applicant’s registered email address.
This initiative forms part of the NIS’s broader strategy to modernize and automate Nigeria’s visa management system. The platform aims to enhance transparency, operational efficiency, and security in visa processing.
The automation eliminates the need for in-person embassy visits and reduces potential delays associated with manual processing methods.
All e-visas permit a maximum stay of 90 days within Nigeria. The NIS has emphasized that extensions will not be granted under the e-visa program. Travelers requiring longer stays must apply through traditional channels at Nigerian embassies or consulates for appropriate long-term visa options.
Each visa category has specific requirements, and potential applicants are advised to thoroughly review the eligibility criteria before submitting applications.
Starting September 1, 2025, foreign nationals who remain in Nigeria beyond their authorized period of stay will face a daily fine of $15. This penalty structure includes:
- For overstays of 3 months or more: $15 daily fine plus a five-year entry ban
- For overstays of 12 months or more: $15 daily fine, blacklisting, and a permanent entry ban
The automated tracking system for visa overstays will become operational on August 2, 2025, one month before enforcement begins.
To facilitate compliance, the NIS has established a three-month amnesty window from May 1 to August 1, 2025. During this period, foreign nationals currently in Nigeria with expired visas can voluntarily leave the country without incurring penalties.
The launch of this comprehensive digital visa system aligns with global trends in immigration service modernization and positions Nigeria to attract more short-term visitors through a user-friendly, secure, and efficient application process.
