Please note
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). This is general information — apply and check requirements only through official NIS channels (immigration.gov.ng). Visa rules, fees and processes change and depend on your nationality and category — confirm current requirements on the official portal. For Nigerian passports, see our dedicated passport guide.
Short-visit visas
For tourism, business or visiting, use the e-Visa or (if eligible) Visa on Arrival. These are for short stays and can’t be converted to residence/work inside Nigeria.
Work & residence (STR)
To work or live in Nigeria, you need the STR (Subject to Regularization) visa, obtained before arrival, after which you apply for a CERPAC residence permit.
Transit
A transit visa may apply if you’re passing through Nigeria to another destination — check whether your itinerary needs one.
Spouses & dependants
Many categories include sub-classes for spouses and dependants, who submit proof of relationship (e.g. marriage/birth certificates) and receive permits linked to the principal applicant.
Which do I need?
- Holiday / short business trip → e-Visa or VOA.
- Employment / long-term stay → STR visa → CERPAC.
- Study full-time → the appropriate student/residence class — confirm with NIS.
- Passing through → transit.
Tips
- Match the visa to your purpose and length.
- Short-visit visas can’t become work permits.
- Confirm your exact class on the NIS portal.
Short visit visas (the e-Visa)
For short stays — tourism, business meetings, conferences and similar — Nigeria's route is the e-Visa, which since May 2025 covers 13 Short Visit Visa (SVV) categories and replaced visa on arrival. These are typically for stays of 30–90 days, applied for and approved online before travel. Which SVV category you choose depends on your exact purpose, so match it carefully to your reason for visiting.
Work and residence (STR then CERPAC)
Coming to live and work is a different, longer path. It runs: employer's Expatriate Quota → STR (Subject-to-Regularization) visa → CERPAC residence/work permit. This is employer-sponsored and cannot be done as a short-visit visa. Separately, ECOWAS nationals enjoy free movement and generally don't need a visa to visit, with an ECOWAS Residence Card route for living and working here.
Which visa do you need?
Match the visa to your purpose and duration:
- Tourism / business / short visit (up to ~90 days) → e-Visa.
- Employment / long-term residence → Quota → STR → CERPAC.
- ECOWAS citizen visiting → generally no visa needed.
Choosing the wrong category causes rejections and delays, so confirm your purpose against the official category list before applying. Overstaying any visa now attracts penalties.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main Nigeria visa types?
Short-visit visas (e-Visa, Visa on Arrival) for tourism/business/visiting; the STR visa for work/residence (leading to CERPAC); transit visas; and diplomatic/official categories.
Which visa do I need to work in Nigeria?
The STR (Subject to Regularization) visa, obtained before arrival, after which you apply for a CERPAC residence permit.
Can a tourist/business visa be used to work?
No — short-visit visas can’t be converted to residence or work permits inside Nigeria.
Can my spouse and children get visas too?
Yes — many categories include sub-classes for spouses and dependants, who provide proof of relationship and get permits linked to the principal applicant.
How do I know which visa class I need?
Match the visa to your purpose and length of stay and confirm the exact class on the NIS portal, as rules depend on nationality.
What visa types does Nigeria offer?
Broadly, short visit visas via the e-Visa (13 SVV categories, for tourism/business/short stays up to ~90 days) and the work-and-residence route (Expatriate Quota → STR visa → CERPAC) for employment and long-term stay. ECOWAS nationals generally don't need a visa to visit.
Which visa do I need for tourism or business in Nigeria?
The e-Visa — apply online before travel and choose the Short Visit Visa category matching your purpose. It covers short stays of roughly 30–90 days and replaced visa on arrival in May 2025.
Which visa do I need to work in Nigeria?
The work-and-residence route: your employer first obtains an Expatriate Quota, you apply for an STR (Subject-to-Regularization) visa at a Nigerian embassy, then after entry you obtain CERPAC. It's employer-sponsored and can't be done as a short-visit visa.
Do ECOWAS citizens need a visa for Nigeria?
Generally no. ECOWAS nationals enjoy free movement and don't need a visa to visit Nigeria, with an ECOWAS Residence Card route for those living and working here.
How do I choose the right Nigerian visa?
Match it to your purpose and duration: e-Visa for short visits (tourism/business), and the Quota→STR→CERPAC route for employment/residence. Choosing the wrong category causes rejections, so confirm against the official category list, and never overstay — penalties now apply.
Related immigration guides
e-Visa · STR visa · CERPAC · All immigration guides · Visa on arrival
Reviewed: 22 Sept 2026 · Author: Belmadeng Editorial. Independent guide, not affiliated with the NIS. Visa rules, fees and processes change and depend on nationality/category — always confirm on the official NIS portal.