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.
What the NIS is
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is the federal agency responsible for migration management and border control — who and what enters and leaves Nigeria, and the travel and residence documents that govern it.
What it does
It issues passports and travel documents, processes visas and residence permits, controls borders, and manages expatriate matters — all via immigration.gov.ng.
The documents it issues
Passports (separate guide)
Because passports are the NIS’s highest-volume service, we cover them in a dedicated Nigerian Passport guide — application, fees, renewal and requirements.
How to reach it
Use the official portal immigration.gov.ng and the NIS Mobile app, or visit an NIS office — see offices & contact.
Good to know
- The NIS handles far more than passports.
- Most services now start online.
- Rules depend on nationality/category.
The NIS mandate
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is the federal agency responsible for migration management and border control — it controls who enters and leaves Nigeria, issues the country's travel and residence documents, and enforces immigration law. It operates under the Federal Ministry of Interior, and its powers are grounded in the Immigration Act 2015 and its regulations. In short, if a document or a decision concerns crossing Nigeria's borders or a foreigner's right to stay, it runs through the NIS.
The services it provides
The NIS handles a wide range of everyday and specialist services:
Nigeria overhauled its immigration processes in May 2025, and it's worth knowing what changed. The NIS launched a fully online e-Visa system (discontinuing visa on arrival), introduced automated landing and exit cards, and rolled out the Expatriate Administration System (EAS) to handle expatriate quota, business permits and CERPAC online. Alongside these came stricter overstay penalties. The direction is clear: more digital, faster, and more tightly controlled — so always work from the current official process, not older guides.
Frequently asked questions
What does the NIS do?
The Nigeria Immigration Service manages migration and border control — issuing passports and travel documents, processing visas and residence permits, and managing expatriate matters.
What documents does the NIS issue?
Passports, visas (e-Visa, Visa on Arrival, STR and more), CERPAC residence permits, ECOWAS and Emergency travel certificates, and Landing/Exit cards.
Where do I get a Nigerian passport?
Passports are the NIS’s biggest service — see our dedicated passport guide for the full process, fees and requirements.
What is the NIS website?
immigration.gov.ng — the official portal for visas, permits and other services; there is also an NIS Mobile app.
Do NIS rules depend on nationality?
Yes — visa and permit rules and eligibility depend on your nationality and category; confirm current requirements on the official portal.
What is the NIS?
The Nigeria Immigration Service — the federal agency responsible for migration management and border control. It issues passports, visas and residence permits, runs the landing/exit card system, and enforces immigration law under the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Immigration Act 2015.
What does the NIS do?
It controls entry and exit at Nigeria's borders, issues Nigerian passports, foreigners' visas (including the e-Visa and STR), expatriate residence/work permits (CERPAC), and Emergency and ECOWAS Travel Certificates, and enforces immigration law.
What documents does the NIS issue?
Nigerian passports, visas (e-Visa, STR and others), CERPAC residence/work permits for expatriates, Emergency Travel Certificates, ECOWAS Travel Certificates, and the landing/exit cards used for border control.
What changed in Nigeria's immigration system in 2025?
From May 2025 the NIS launched a fully online e-Visa system (discontinuing visa on arrival), introduced automated landing and exit cards, rolled out the Expatriate Administration System for quota/business permit/CERPAC, and brought in stricter overstay penalties.
Who oversees the NIS?
The NIS operates under the Federal Ministry of Interior, with its powers set out in the Immigration Act 2015 and its regulations.