Nigeria

Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens

Many Nigerians travel internationally for school, business, family visits, and tourism, and each destination has its own entry rules.

Depending on the country, Nigerian citizens may need to apply for a visa in person, complete an eVisa or ETA online, get a Visa on Arrival (VOA), or enter visa-free

Nigerians can apply for eVisas or ETAs in 52 countries, and 10 countries offer Visa on Arrival. For regular sticker visas, travelers must visit the embassy or consulate, and some allow online appointment scheduling.

All Nigerian travelers must have a passport valid for at least six (6) months from their date of entry. 

As members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigerians benefit from a regional free-movement system. It allows citizens of all ECOWAS states, not just officials, to enter certain West African countries without a visa.

With a global passport ranking of 85, Nigerians can visit 25 countries visa-free. Since requirements differ from country to country, it is always best to check the specific visa rules before starting any application.

Nigerian citizens can apply for an eVisa and eTA to these countries effortlessly with us:

Countries Offering eVisa and ETA to Nigerian Citizens

Many destinations now make travel simpler for Nigerians by providing two digital entry options, such as eVisa and Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

An eVisa is a visa you apply completely online, without going to an embassy or consulate. Once approved, it is sent to you electronically, and you can either save it on your phone or print it to show at the airport.

An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is a digital permit that lets you travel to a country without getting a traditional visa beforehand. After arriving, you will receive your visa from immigration officers. You can also apply online for an ETA and receive it by email.

The key difference is that an eVisa remains valid for use within its set validity period, while an ETA requires you to enter the country within a specific timeframe. If you miss that window, the visa becomes invalid, and you must apply again.

Here is a list of countries that offer an eVisa and ETA for Nigerian citizens:

eVisa Required Countries (50)

  • Albania
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Bahrain
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Botswana
  • Cambodia
  • Colombia
  • Congo
  • Djibouti
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Georgia
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Lesotho
  • Libya
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Moldova
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • South Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

eTA Required Countries (2)

  • Kenya
  • Seychelles

Visa-on-Arrival Destinations

A Visa on Arrival (VoA) is a type of visa that travelers can receive when they arrive at the destination country’s airport or border, without applying in advance.

However, VoA policies can change at any time, depending on the immigration rules of the destination country. For this reason, it is always important to check the latest VoA requirements before you travel.

The countries mentioned below allow Nigerian citizens to get a VoA:

VoA - Visa on Arrival Countries (10)

  • Burundi
  • Comoros
  • Lebanon
  • Maldives
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Palau
  • Samoa
  • Timor-Leste
  • Tuvalu

Visa-Free Destinations

Many Nigerians enjoy the convenience of traveling without a visa to a small number of countries around the world. With Nigeria’s passport ranking 85th globally, Nigerian citizens can visit 25 countries visa-free.

Here is a list of countries that Nigerian citizens can visit visa-free:

Visa Free Countries (25)

  • Barbados
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cameroon
  • Cape Verde
  • Chad
  • Ivory Coast
  • Dominica
  • Fiji
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Haiti
  • Kiribati
  • Liberia
  • Mali
  • Micronesia
  • Niger
  • Rwanda
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Togo
  • Vanuatu

Visa-Required Destinations

For many international trips, Nigerians must follow standard visa procedures depending on the rules of the country they plan to visit. Nigerian citizens need a sticker visa to travel to 111 countries worldwide, and the application may be completed either online or offline based on each country’s policy.

Some countries allow a fully online application, where you do not need to visit an office or send your passport by mail. Others require an in-person application, where you must go to the embassy or consulate to submit your documents, visa form, and passport.

The type and duration of the visa depend on your reason for traveling to the country. Before you start applying, you should always check the specific visa requirements for your destination.

Here is the list of countries that require a visa from Nigerian citizens:

Visa Required Countries (111)

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Central African Republic
  • Chile
  • China
  • Congo
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominican Republic
  • Egypt
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Eswatini
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Jordan
  • Kosovo
  • Kuwait
  • Laos
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macao
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Myanmar
  • Nauru
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • North Korea
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Saint Lucia
  • San Marino
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Sudan
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syria
  • Thailand
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen

General Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens

Most countries share similar basic visa requirements, and Nigerian travelers must meet the following conditions when applying for a visa:

  • Valid Passport: Your Nigerian passport must be valid for at least six (6) months from the date you enter the destination country.
  • Visa Application Form: You must complete a visa application form and submit it either online or at the embassy or consulate. This form typically asks for personal details, travel information, supporting documents, and the purpose of your trip.
  • Photograph: One or more recent passport-size photos. It must be taken within the last three months, usually with a white background and a clear full-face view.
  • Flight Tickets: Some countries ask for proof of travel, such as confirmed round-trip (inbound and outbound) flight tickets.
  • Proof of Accommodation: You may need to show where you will stay during your visit, such as a hotel booking, Airbnb, hostel reservation, or the address of family or friends

Visa Waiver Programs

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) introduced a visa-free travel system in 1979. It allows citizens of all member countries, including Nigeria, to enter and stay in any other ECOWAS state without a visa for up to 90 days. 

This system, supported by the ECOWAS passport, makes travel within the region easier and strengthens cooperation and integration across West Africa.

Below is the list of ECOWAS member countries:

Benin
Cape Verde
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Ivory Coast
Liberia
Nigeria
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Togo

Partners We Work With

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy

Frequently Asked Questions

How many countries can we visit with a Nigerian passport?

You can visit 198 countries with your Nigerian passport. As the Nigerian passport is ranked 85 globally, you can visit 25 countries without a visa. 

Which country visa is free for Nigerian citizens?

Nigerian citizens can visit 25 countries without a visa. These countries are listed above.

Can a Nigerian hold three passports?

No, generally, citizens are only allowed one valid passport at a time. If a Nigerian gets a foreign passport via dual citizenship, the original Nigerian passport must still be valid to travel under Nigerian nationality.

What is the best way to prove citizenship?

The most reliable proof is a valid passport. For Nigerians born abroad to Nigerian parents (but travelling on a foreign passport), you may need to provide a birth certificate or other proof of Nigerian parentage to show your citizenship status.

Can a Nigerian have dual citizenship?

Yes, Nigerians can hold dual citizenship. However, when travelling with dual nationality, you generally should travel on the passport you entered the country with and follow the immigration rules accordingly.

Do Nigerian citizens face transit visa requirements?

Transit visa requirements always depends on the country of transit. Having a Nigerian passport does not guarantee a visa-free transit. That is why you must check the transit/entry rules of the transit country before travelling.

Do Nigerian citizens need travel insurance when applying for visas?

That depends on the destination country. Some countries do require travelers to have insurance, while others do not. It’s important to check visa requirements or entry guidelines for your destination before you travel.

Can I renew my Nigerian passport abroad?

Yes. If you are a Nigerian living abroad, you can renew your passport via a Nigerian embassy or consulate in that country.

What should I do if I lose my Nigerian passport abroad?

If you lose your passport abroad, contact the closest Nigerian embassy or consulate. You may need to apply for a new passport or an emergency travel certificate, and provide identity verification and any required documents.

  • Information Updated on:
  • February 9, 2026