Visa Services in Nigeria

If you anyone is visiting any other country, they require a visa of that particular country to enter into their premises legally. Without a Visa, the concerned authorities have the right to stop you and prevent you from entering the country. A visa is an authorization from the concerned government authority or a certificate which is issued or a stamp marking on your passport which shows that the credentials of the applicant have been verified and the person has been granted the permission to enter into the country. The duration of the visit or the validity of the visa is usually mentioned on the visa.

The growing middle class population, the gradual increase in the infrastructure of the country, the growth potential of the country and the interest of the government in the betterment of the economy has led the Nigeria to become one of the most sought after business destination in the world.

Types of Visa in Nigeria

There are various types of visa in Nigeria. Each type is differentiated from the other on the basis of what will be the duration of the visa. The different types of visa are given below:

1.Transit visa

Also known as a travel visa, a transit visa is a document which allows a person to stay in a country while completing his journey to any other country. Usually, the duration of the stoppage is mentioned in the visa and is normally under 24 hours. This type of Visa is required by a traveller who needs to change his flight or any other means of transportation without taking the hassle of immigration control.

Documents required for the transit Visa

A passport which is valid for a minimum of 6 months consists of at least 2 blank visa pages.
Two recent passport sized photographs.
A confirmed ticket of a connecting flight which is already booked
Evidence of sufficient funds

Procedure to avail Transit Visa in Nigeria

There are two ways to apply for a transit Visa:

Receive a transit Nigeria visa on arrival at the airport in Nigeria by submitting a request of a transit Visa and then submitting the required fees electronically.
By following the steps given below
1. Apply online, fill the application and download the completed application.
2. Pay online and get a receipt of the payment
3. Fix 2 passport size photo to the visa form IMM22 along with the other required documents and submit either via post or in person.

It is usually for a period of 48 hours and can be extended up to 7 days under extreme situations.

2.Tourist Visa

This is a visa which will authorize a person to visit Nigeria for the purpose of tourism. This visa can also be used if a foreigner wants to visit friends or family in the country for a few days. It is to be needed that citizen of all the countries except the members of ECOWAS countries and the citizen of those countries with which Nigeria has entered into Visa abolition agreements.

Documents required for Tourist Visa in Nigeria

A passport which is valid for a minimum of 6 months consists of at least 2 blank visa pages.
A return ticket
Evidence that the person will not run out of funds during the journey
Proof of the hotel reservation or the address of the host in Nigeria

Procedure to avail tourist visa in Nigeria

Follow the steps given below to apply for a tourist visa in Nigeria:

Apply for the visa form online, complete and print the form
Pay online and get a receipt of the payment
Fix 2 passport size photo to the visa form IMM22 along with the other required documents and submit either via post or in person.

This type of visa can be valid for a duration of 90 days.

3.Business Visa

People who want to travel to Nigeria to attend or conduct Meeting, Conference, Seminar, Contract Negotiation, Marketing, Sales, Purchase distribution of Nigerian Goods, Trade Fairs, Job Interviews, Humanitarian Services, Emergency or Relief work, Musical Concert, etc. need to avail a Business Visa in Nigeria.

Documents required for a Business Visa in Nigeria

A passport which is valid for a minimum of 6 months consists of at least 2 blank visa pages.
Two recent passport sized photographs.
A return ticket
Evidence that the person will not run out of funds during the journey
Proof of the hotel reservation or the address of the host in Nigeria

Procedure to Avail a Business Visa in Nigeria

Follow the steps given below to apply for a Business visa in Nigeria:

Apply for the visa form online, complete and print the form
Pay online and get a receipt of the payment
Fix 2 passport size photo to the visa form IMM22 along with the other required documents and submit either via post or in person.

This type of visa can be valid for a duration of 90 days and this duration cannot be extended under any circumstances.

4.Temporary Work Permit (TWP)

When experts in a field of study are invited by any business entity so that they could training the employees of the company, they require a Temporary Work Permit or TWP. This kind of visa is valid for a period of 90 days.

Documents required for a TWP in Nigeria

Visa approval Letter (pre-approved visa letter) valid for 90 days from the date of issuance
A passport which is valid for a minimum of 6 months consists of at least 2 blank visa pages.
Two recent passport sized photographs.
Completed Visa Form IMM22
Proof of payment of Visa fee

Procedure to Avail TWP in Nigeria

The business entity located in Nigeria files an official request on your behalf stating all the necessary details (name, nationality, passport number, purpose and duration, etc.)
Submit the application after attaching all the required documents such as certificate of incorporation, CAC 2 & 7, and any other document required.
Pay online and get a receipt of the payment
Fix 2 passport size photo to the visa form IMM22 along with the other required documents and submit either via post or in person.

5.Subject to Regularization (STR)

This type of Visa is issued according to the dates specified by the person in his or her contract. Normally it is only valid for a single entry to the country. This visa is usually utilized by Research Fellows, Foreign Students, Missionaries, Government Officials, etc.

Documents Required to avail an STR visa in Nigeria

Official and formal application of STR Visa employer stating that he would take the responsibility of the immigration
A passport which is valid for a minimum of 6 months consists of at least 2 blank visa pages.
Two recent passport sized photographs.
Completed Visa Form IMM22
Proof of financial support
Official Offer of Appointment and Acceptance Offer
Educational qualifications and Curriculum Vitae

Procedure to Avail STR n Nigeria

Apply online and complete the online visa application form IMM22
Take a Printout of two copies of the completed form.
Make online payment and print your payment receipt.
Fix 2 passport size photo to the visa form IMM22 along with the other required documents and submit either via post or in person

6.Diplomatic Visa

This visa is applicable to the top government officials such as Visiting Heads of States and their families, Top officials of Government and their families, Accredited Diplomats and their families, Holders of United Nations / International Agencies Diplomatic Passport, etc.

Documents required to avail a Diplomatic Visa

A diplomatic or official passport which is valid for a minimum of 6 months consists of at least 2 blank visa pages.
Two recent passport sized photographs.
The Foreign Ministry of applicant’s home country or appropriate International Organization must notify the country either verbally or through a certificate.

Procedure to avail a Diplomatic Visa

Apply online and complete the online visa application form IMM22
Take a Printout of two copies of the completed form.
Make online payment and print your payment receipt.
Fix 2 passport size photo to the visa form IMM22 along with the other required documents and submit either via post or in person

Applying for any of the above Nigerian Visa all by yourself may be possible, but you need to consider the various factors such as the government requirements, the updated visa regulations, the constant sense of urgency. To remove all these hurdles from the visa process, it is always better to utilize the services of a reputed and established firm which would simplifying the visa obtaining process.

We at Business Setup Worldwide can help you by providing visa services according to your requirements. We also provide various other services which will help the company in the long run such as business setup services, intellectual property services, etc. For more information on the various services we provide, do contact us – we would be happy to help.