Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Most nationalities need a visa to enter Nigeria, and it should generally be arranged before you travel. Nigeria operates an e-Visa system and a pre-approved Visa on Arrival scheme for certain travellers such as business visitors, but these still require an application in advance. Requirements vary by nationality and can change, so check the Nigeria Immigration Service and your embassy for the latest rules before departure.
- Visa
- Required for most
- Options
- e-Visa / pre-approved VoA
- Check
- Official sources
- Arrange your visa before travelling in most cases
- Visa on Arrival needs pre-approval; confirm eligibility in advance
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Your passport should generally be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Nigeria and have blank pages for stamps. If you obtained an e-Visa or Visa on Arrival approval, carry your approval letter and supporting documents. Confirm the exact validity and page requirements for your nationality before you travel.
- Validity
- 6 months beyond entry
- Pages
- Blank pages needed
- Carry
- Visa/approval letter
- A common guideline is 6 months passport validity
- Keep your visa approval letter and supporting papers with you
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
Besides your passport and visa, at arrival you may be asked for a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or an invitation letter), and evidence of sufficient funds. A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry. Have these documents ready, in print or on your phone, to make border checks smoother.
- Ticket
- Return/onward
- Stay
- Accommodation proof
- Health
- Yellow fever certificate
- Yellow fever certificate is mandatory for entry
- Carry proof of accommodation and onward travel
Pre-arrival procedure — Nigeria e-Visa & Landing Card: under the 2025 visa policy, eligible visitors apply for an e-Visa online via the Nigeria Immigration Service (immigration.gov.ng), receive an approval letter with a QR code by email, and must also complete the mandatory online Landing/Exit Card (lecard.immigration.gov.ng) before travel. Beware paid look-alike sites.
Official Nigeria Immigration Service (immigration.gov.ng)- Surname
- SMITH
- Given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. a representative country)
- Passport number
- A1234567
- Arrival date
- 2026-04-10
- Entry city
- Lagos
Steps
- 1 On immigration.gov.ng check whether your nationality needs e-Visa or is visa-free/exempt
- 2 Complete the application and upload the passport page/photo as required
- 3 Pay the official fee and save the approved e-Visa (print or keep on your phone)
- 4 Present it at check-in and immigration together with your passport
Eligibility, fees, processing time and validity can change; for accurate details we recommend checking with the official government portal before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
Cash carried in or out of Nigeria must be declared once it reaches the official threshold, commonly cited as the equivalent of USD 10,000 or more in foreign currency. Movement of the local currency, the naira, is restricted, so avoid carrying large amounts across the border. Declare honestly and keep receipts; failing to declare can lead to seizure or penalties.
- Declare
- USD 10,000+ equivalent
- Naira
- Movement restricted
- Keep
- Receipts
- Declare foreign currency at or above the threshold
- Carrying naira across the border is restricted
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Travellers may bring personal effects and a limited allowance of items such as tobacco and alcohol duty-free, within the limits set by Nigeria Customs. Goods above the allowance, or items intended for sale, must be declared and may attract duty. Use the red channel if you have anything to declare and keep receipts for valuable electronics you bring in and out.
- Duty-free
- Personal limits apply
- Declare
- Goods over allowance
- Channel
- Red if declaring
- Commercial quantities must be declared and may be taxed
- Keep receipts for high-value electronics
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Nigeria prohibits or restricts a range of imports, and drug offences are treated very seriously under Nigerian law, with severe penalties. Firearms, ammunition and certain agricultural products are also controlled. Check the current Nigeria Customs prohibition list before you travel, and never carry items for someone else across the border.
- Drugs
- Severe penalties
- Weapons
- Controlled
- Check
- Prohibition list
- Drug offences carry very serious penalties
- Never carry unknown items for others
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring enough of your prescription medicine for your trip, in the original labelled packaging, and carry a copy of the prescription or a doctor’s letter, ideally in English. Some medicines that are common elsewhere may be controlled or restricted in Nigeria, so check before you travel. Keep medication in your hand luggage in case checked bags are delayed.
- Packaging
- Original, labelled
- Document
- Prescription/letter
- Carry
- In hand luggage
- Some common medicines may be controlled in Nigeria
- Keep a doctor’s letter, ideally in English
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory to enter Nigeria, and you should carry it with your travel documents. Malaria is present, so anti-malarial precautions are commonly advised. Check other recommended vaccinations, such as hepatitis and typhoid, with a travel clinic well before departure, as some need time to take effect.
- Mandatory
- Yellow fever certificate
- Malaria
- Precautions advised
- Plan
- See travel clinic early
- Yellow fever certificate is required for entry
- Discuss malaria prevention and other vaccines with a clinic
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
Most international travellers arrive at Lagos (Murtala Muhammed, LOS) or Abuja (Nnamdi Azikiwe, ABV). At immigration you present your passport, visa or approval letter, and may be asked about the purpose and length of your stay. Your yellow fever certificate can be checked. Follow airport signage, and only use official taxis or pre-arranged transfers when you leave the terminal.
- Airports
- LOS / ABV
- Show
- Passport, visa, letter
- Transfer
- Official/pre-arranged
- Have your visa/approval and yellow fever certificate ready
- Use official taxis or a pre-booked transfer from the airport
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Nigeria drives on the right, uses 230V with Type D and G plugs, and the calling code is +234. English is an official language, which makes getting around easier. Keep digital and paper copies of your passport, visa and yellow fever certificate, agree taxi fares in advance or use a ride app, and check current travel advice for the regions you plan to visit.
- Driving
- Right side
- Power
- 230V, Type D/G
- Code
- +234
- English is an official language
- Keep copies of key documents and check regional travel advice