Nigeria Discontinues Visa on Arrival, Launches New e-Visa System
Abuja, Nigeria May 1, 2025 Nigeria Launches New e-Visa System, Scraps Visa on Arrival What It Means for Travelers in 2025
In a major policy shift aimed at streamlining immigration and tightening border security, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially launched a new e-Visa application system, replacing the long-standing Visa on Arrival (VoA) program. This move, effective May 1, 2025, marks a significant change for travelers visiting Africa’s most populous nation.
This reform is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and was announced in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Interior.
What Is the New e-Visa System?
The e-Visa system allows travelers to apply, pay for, and receive their Nigerian visa entirely online. According to the Nigeria Immigration Service:
• All applications are now processed through the official portal: https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng
• Visas are approved within 48 hours or less
• Travelers will receive a QR code and digital visa by email no physical sticker is required
The system introduces 13 visa types under the Short Visit Visa (SVV) category, including:
• Tourism
• Business
• Family visits
• Medical
• Religious
• Journalism
• Academic exchange
• Government delegation visits, and others
This digital migration is expected to reduce human contact, eliminate delays at airports, and combat visa fraud.
Visa on Arrival Ends
The Visa on Arrival, once popular among African travelers and business visitors, is now officially discontinued as of May 1, 2025. Travelers who previously relied on VoA must now apply before departure through the e-Visa platform.
Previously issued VoA documents will remain valid until their stated expiration dates.
How Much Does the Nigeria e-Visa Cost?
The cost of the e-Visa varies based on nationality and purpose of travel. While the government has not published a fixed fee table, below are average estimates:
New Overstay Penalties Introduced
Foreign nationals who overstay their visa duration will now face fines and penalties. This is the first time Nigeria is implementing an official penalty structure for visa overstays.
Although the exact fine structure has not yet been published, similar systems in the region (e.g., Ghana or Kenya) typically impose:
• Daily fines (e.g., $20–$50/day overstayed)
• Possible deportation or ban from re-entry for repeated violations
Travelers are advised to monitor the NIS website or contact Nigerian embassies for updated information.
Why the Change?
According to the NIS, the e-Visa system is designed to:
• Improve national security
• Digitize and modernize immigration processes
• Make Nigeria more travel-friendly to businesspeople and tourists
• Strengthen data collection and border control through biometric and digital monitoring
Experts believe the move aligns Nigeria with other nations that have adopted automated visa regimes, such as Kenya, India, and Turkey.
Who Will Be Affected?
The change impacts all foreign travelers, including:
• Citizens of ECOWAS countries (for non-tourism visits)
• Frequent business travelers to Nigeria
• Diaspora Nigerians traveling with foreign passports
• Tour groups and international journalists
What Travelers Should Do Now
• Apply online in advance of your travel dates
• Choose the correct visa category based on purpose
• Ensure accurate documentation errors can delay processing
• Stay updated on visa fees and entry requirements via the NIS portal
Nigeria’s transition to an e-Visa system is a significant step in reforming its immigration framework. While the elimination of the Visa on Arrival may inconvenience some, the new system promises faster processing, better security, and more transparency for all travelers.
For more updates, official links, and how-to guides, follow Traveltaf’s Immigration & Visa News section.