Logo
Logo
Logo
Logo
  • About
    • Locations & Coverage
    • Press Releases
    • Recognition
    • Pro Bono
  • People
  • Services
    • Column 1
      • Auditing
      • Business Visas
      • Citizenship
      • Comparative Country Analysis
      • Compliance
      • Consular Services
      • Consulting
      • Covid-19 Task Force
    • Column 2
      • Data Analytics
      • Document Acquisition and Authentication
      • Employment Visas
      • Forecasting
      • Government Strategies
      • Knowledge Management
      • Management Reporting
      • Outsourcing
    • Column 3
      • Passport Services
      • Permanent Residence
      • Program and Policy Services
      • Sports and Entertainment
      • Strategic Planning
      • Technology Solutions
      • Training
  • News
  • Resources
    • Global Trends
    • Events
    • Advisor
    • Country Overviews
    • BAL Perspectives
    • DACA Resource Center
  • Careers
  • Share
  • Client Login
Client Login
  • Home
  •  /  Resources
  •  /  Country Overviews
  •  /  Nigeria
  • Country Overviews

Nigeria

At a Glance

Capital Abuja
Language English
Population 206,140,000
GDP Total $421.8 billion
GDP Per Capita $2,153.50
Assessing Travel and Visa Obligations

 

When traveling to Nigeria, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you must obtain work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

 

Traveling for Business

 

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Nigeria, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

  • » Attend business and sales meetings
  • » Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops
  • » Negotiate contracts
  • » Attend trade shows

 
Nationals of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries are generally permitted to perform short-term, non-remunerated professional activities in Nigeria without obtaining work authorization. Please consult with your immigration counsel prior to travel to determine your eligibility for a short-term work authorization exemption.

 

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Nigeria?

Most foreign nationals, including nationals of European Union member states and the United States, are required to obtain a Business Visa from a Nigerian Consulate or Embassy, or an e-Visa through the online portal, prior to travel.

Business visitors may also be eligible for a Visa on Arrival, provided that a pre-approval letter from the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service has been obtained. However, to avoid risk of complications at the port of entry, it is recommended that an e-Visa or consular Business Visa be obtained prior to travel.

Only nationals of select African countries, including member states of ECOWAS, are eligible to perform business activities under a visa waiver.

Please consult with your immigration counsel prior to travel to determine your eligibility for a Business Visa, e-Visa, Visa on Arrival, or visa waiver.

 

Working in Nigeria

 

What types of activities require work authorization?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Nigerian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Nigeria, even if conducted for a short duration.

  • » Repairs or maintenance
  • » Auditing
  • » Consulting

 

If I am traveling to Nigeria for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Nigeria. The most common forms of work authorization in Nigeria are:

  • » Temporary Work Permit and Visa (short-term work authorization)
  • » Subject to Regularization (STR) Visa and Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC) (long-term work authorization)
  • » ECOWAS Residence Card (work authorization for ECOWAS nationals)

 

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

There are no long-term exemptions from work authorization requirements in Nigeria.

 

What else should I know?

 

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

 

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.


News and Events

8 Feb 22

New guidelines provided on expatriate quota requirements

Nigeria

7 May 21

Nigeria updates protocol for travelers arriving from Brazil,...

Nigeria

14 Apr 21

Evidence of tax remittance now required to renew...

Nigeria

19 Jan 21

COVID-19: Government updates provisional quarantine protocols for arriving...

COVID-19 Nigeria

21 Oct 20

New visa fees and visa policy implementation date...

Nigeria

20 Aug 20

COVID-19: International flights to resume

COVID-19 Nigeria

17 Jun 20

Email application introduced for Temporary Work Permit preapproval

COVID-19 Nigeria

10 Jun 20

COVID-19: Airports remain closed

COVID-19 Nigeria

15 May 20

COVID-19: Airport closures extended

COVID-19 Nigeria

16 Apr 20

COVID-19: Pandemic lockdown extended, fee waiver approved

COVID-19 Nigeria

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 5
  • Next

At a Glance

Capital Abuja
Language English
Population 206,140,000
GDP Total $421.8 billion
GDP Per Capita $2,153.50

Related News

  • New guidelines provided on expatriate quota requirements

    NIGERIA   8 Feb 22

  • Nigeria updates protocol for travelers arriving from Brazil,...

    NIGERIA   7 May 21

  • Evidence of tax remittance now required to renew...

    NIGERIA   14 Apr 21

  • COVID-19: Government updates provisional quarantine protocols for arriving...

    NIGERIA   19 Jan 21

  • New visa fees and visa policy implementation date...

    NIGERIA   21 Oct 20

  • COVID-19: International flights to resume

    NIGERIA   20 Aug 20

  • Email application introduced for Temporary Work Permit preapproval

    NIGERIA   17 Jun 20

  • COVID-19: Airports remain closed

    NIGERIA   10 Jun 20

  • COVID-19: Airport closures extended

    NIGERIA   15 May 20

  • COVID-19: Pandemic lockdown extended, fee waiver approved

    NIGERIA   16 Apr 20

  • COVID-19: Government imposes internal travel restrictions

    NIGERIA   31 Mar 20

  • COVID-19: Government updates travel, visa restrictions

    NIGERIA   26 Mar 20

  • Visa on arrival suspended for nationals of 13...

    NIGERIA   20 Mar 20

  • E-registration deadline extended, applied to broader group of...

    NIGERIA   11 Dec 19

  • Officials provide additional information on e-registration

    NIGERIA   20 Sep 19

  • Officials move toward e-registration program for all foreign...

    NIGERIA   6 Sep 19

  • Recertification of PUR certificates required in some cases

    NIGERIA   28 Aug 19

  • E-yellow cards mandatory as of April 1

    NIGERIA   23 Apr 19

  • Reminder: oil and gas industry must meet expatriate...

    NIGERIA   16 Jan 19

  • Government doubles fee for residence permit

    NIGERIA   11 Jan 19

  • Visa overstays drawing increased enforcement

    NIGERIA   9 Nov 18

  • US Embassy in Nigeria to resume visa services

    NIGERIA, UNITED STATES   20 Aug 18

  • US Embassy in Nigeria closes visa services

    NIGERIA, UNITED STATES   16 Aug 18

  • Online portal for application process introduced

    NIGERIA   1 Jun 18

  • Presidential executive order prioritizes local hiring in science,...

    NIGERIA   7 Feb 18

  • Biometrics now required of applicants for Nigerian visas...

    INDIA, NIGERIA   4 Dec 17

  • Visa applicants at High Commission must appear in...

    NIGERIA, SOUTH AFRICA   3 Nov 17

  • Visa applicants at High Commission must appear in...

    UNITED KINGDOM, NIGERIA   9 Oct 17

  • Email option set for temporary work permit applications

    NIGERIA   26 Jun 17

  • Executive orders: 48-hour visa service, more efficient permit...

    NIGERIA   23 May 17

  • Analysis: Immigration Regulations 2017

    NIGERIA   31 Mar 17

  • New Immigration Regulations released

    NIGERIA   21 Mar 17

  • Nigeria eases processes for business travelers

    NIGERIA   2 Mar 17

  • UAE imposes new requirements on Nigerian nationals

    UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, NIGERIA   20 Oct 16

  • Additional CERPAC centers could speed processing

    NIGERIA   6 Sep 16

  • Super Priority Visa service launched in Nigeria

    UNITED KINGDOM, NIGERIA   15 Aug 16

  • House of Representatives investigates visa abuse in oil...

    NIGERIA   28 Jul 16

  • New steps required for work permits in oil...

    NIGERIA   6 Jun 16

  • Nationwide work-permit verification put on hold

    NIGERIA   6 Apr 16

  • Employers must immediately verify long-term work permits of...

    NIGERIA   14 Mar 16

  • Delays, greater scrutiny likely to follow suspension of...

    NIGERIA   25 Aug 15

  • Immigration Act imposes new work permit rules, higher...

    NIGERIA   2 Jun 15

  • Business visas-on-arrival gain traction

    NIGERIA   28 Jan 15

  • Two-year Residence Permits now available for fresh quota...

    NIGERIA   30 Apr 14

  • Ministry of Interior Introduces Visas-on-Arrival, Faster Visa Processing

    NIGERIA   13 Sep 13

  • Processing Slowdowns Likely Due to NIS Staff Changes

    NIGERIA   13 Jun 13

{{ text }}
  • Contact Us
  • BAL Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Legal Notice
  • Disclaimer

©2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden. All Rights Reserved. 2400 N. Glenville Dr., Bldg A, Richardson, TX 75082. Jeremy Fudge, Managing Partner.