GoNiger Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Visa

The Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Niger on Mutual Exemption of Visa for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders came into effect on December 15, 2018. According to the agreement, citizens of the People's Republic of China holding valid ordinary passports for diplomatic, official or public service purposes who enter, exit or transit Niger for a period not exceeding 30 days are exempt from visa requirements.

Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports must apply for an entry visa at the Niger embassy or consulate abroad. Nepal's entry visa usually requires a return visa, which takes a long time to process. It is recommended to submit the application one month in advance. To apply for a tourist visa, the following documents must be submitted: invitation letter, copy of the inviter's ID card or long-term residence permit in Nepal, Chinese passport with a validity period of not less than 6 months, 1 visa application form filled out in French or English, 2 passport photos, round-trip airfare, and proof of employment. In addition to submitting the materials mentioned in items 3-6 above, applying for a business visa also requires providing a letter of dispatch from the Chinese unit, an invitation letter from a relevant company in Niger, and proof of tax payment from the company in the previous year.

2、 Entry and exit

International travelers must hold a valid passport, visa, and an International Vaccination Certificate with proof of yellow fever vaccination;

International travelers must meet one of the following conditions to prove their ability to return to their home country: (1) hold a valid round-trip ticket for one year; (2) A deposit certificate from a bank institution in the country of nationality of the passenger, with an amount equal to or higher than the price of a return flight ticket; (3) If the passenger cannot guarantee the cost of their return journey, they must hold a proof of cost guarantee from a bank institution in their country of nationality; (4) Citizens of countries that have signed a mutual visa exemption agreement with Niger can enter and exit Niger's borders without a visa as stipulated in the agreement; (5) International passengers who hold the relevant documents mentioned in Article (2) above and enter the country by land or water must also hold vehicle insurance and police certification documents to provide guarantees for possible accidents. The police station must be recognized by the government of Niger.

Note: During the COVID-19, all inbound and outbound passengers need to carry a negative nucleic acid test report with a validity period of less than 72 hours, and inbound passengers need to be isolated at home for 7 days. As of June 11, 2021, there are 5444 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Niger, 5160 cured cases, 192 dead cases, and 92 confirmed cases.

Special Reminder:Niger has a hot and dry climate all year round, so it is necessary to prepare protective equipment such as sunscreen and sunglasses. It is recommended to carry them with you to change clothes in summer.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Niger has joined the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and international conventions on the protection of cultural relics, strictly prohibiting the entry and exit of related items into Niger customs.

The goods allowed to be brought in duty-free by the customs are 1 pint of perfume (about 560 ml), 2 bottles of wine and 1 carton of cigarettes. When leaving the country, it is strictly prohibited to carry the Nepalese currency West African Franc to countries outside the West African Economic and Monetary Union. Foreign currency worth no more than 500000 CFA francs (approximately 1000 US dollars) can be carried. All passengers carrying prohibited or oversized goods are required to pay a fine, ranging from $200 to $1000 depending on the situation.

General Administration of Customs (DGD: Direction G é n é ral des Douanes) Phone: 00227-20723133, 20723134, 20723136.

Niamey Airport telephone: 00227-20732517.

If the yellow fever vaccine or meningitis vaccine is not administered before departure, the quarantine department of Niamey Airport will administer the vaccine to the inbound and outbound travelers, apply for an International Vaccination Certificate, and charge relevant fees.

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Nationality

According to Niger's nationality law, Niger does not recognize dual citizenship.

2、 Residence

Apply for a residence visa (Visa de S é jour) or residence permit (Permis de S é jour) at the Immigration Department (DST: Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire, phone: 00227-20732012)

After entering the country, you can apply for a long-term residence visa at the local immigration office, which is valid for six months to two years and can be extended upon expiration. No need to apply for a visa again when entering or leaving Niger during the validity period of the residence visa.

The residence permit is valid for 4 years and can be renewed upon expiration. The materials and expenses required for residence are as follows: entry passport visa, certificate of purpose of visit and health quarantine certificate, municipal government registered residence management fee of 1500 West African francs, certificate of no criminal record, four photos of identity documents, stamp tax of 50000 West African francs, address certificate, work certificate, and handling fee of 5000 West African francs.

Special Reminder:Individuals entering without a Niger visa may be deported. More detailed and updated information can be consulted with the Niger Immigration Department and Customs.

Niger currently has three red (extremely high-risk) areas, while the rest of the areas are orange. Specifically, as follows:

1、 Red areas: the entire regions of Difa and Tilabe, as well as the provinces of Tashala and Tilia in the Tawa region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens not to travel to the above-mentioned areas in the near future. Personnel and institutions in the area should evacuate or transfer to safe areas as soon as possible. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.                                                                        

2、 Orange region: Other regions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens to be cautious when traveling to other areas of Niger in the near future. Local personnel and institutions are closely monitoring the situation, maintaining high vigilance, strengthening security precautions and emergency preparedness, and ensuring personal and property safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.                                                         

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

The authorities attach great importance to social security work and severely crack down on various criminal activities. Although there are still a small number of criminal activities so far, overall, the security situation in the capital Niamey region is good.

In recent years, religious extremist forces, smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal immigration and other organized transnational crimes have become rampant in the Sahara Sahel region, posing an increasingly serious threat to the peace and stability of countries in the West African subregion, including Niger. In recent years, foreign people have been kidnapped in border areas. Affected by the situation in Libya, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Lake Chad, the security situation in Nepal is complex. Especially in the Tilaburi region, located at the junction of Niger Mali Burkina Faso, there have been multiple terrorist attacks in recent years, as well as incidents of robbery and kidnapping targeting foreign gold miners. The security situation is not optimistic.

Most Nigerians are friendly to the Chinese, but when they first arrive in Niger, they should still pay attention to their own safety, carry as little cash as possible, avoid revealing their wealth, and reduce travel at night.

natural disaster

The main natural disasters in Niger are drought and rainy season floods. It is not recommended to go to the desert hinterland. During the rainy season from June to September each year, it is advisable to stay away from rivers and low-lying areas to avoid causing casualties.

FDA

Niger is facing a shortage of resources, with food and daily necessities mainly relying on imports. In recent years, there have been no major food safety accidents. Local epidemics such as cholera and typhoid fever require attention to food hygiene, avoiding raw vegetables as much as possible, avoiding street vendors, drinking raw water, and washing hands frequently.

Urgent Help

Medical emergency: 15.

Report of symptoms of COVID-19: 15.

Police officer: 17.

Fire alarm: 18.

National Police Headquarters: 00227-20733743, 20733744.

Chinese medical team consultation hotline: 00227-98639122.

Appointment hotline for nucleic acid testing institutions: 00227-80090111.

air traffic

1、 Flight. There are few international flights. At present, direct flights mainly connect France, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ethiopia, Benin, Mali, Togo, Burkina Faso and other countries.

2、 Main airports. Niger currently has five international airports: Niamey, Agadez, Maradi, Tawa, and Zinder. Niamey Airport is a Class A international airport with a runway length of 3000 meters, capable of accommodating Boeing 747 large passenger planes, while Agadez and Zinder airports can accommodate Boeing 737 passenger planes. The Diori International Airport in the capital of Niamey was newly completed in June 2019.

3、 Airline companies. The main operating airlines include Air France, Türkiye Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Algerian Airlines, Royal Moroccan Airlines, Tunisia Airlines, Burkina Faso Airlines, etc.

4、 The main modes of transportation to and from the airport are self provided vehicles and taxis.

5、 Common contact information

Niamey Airport: 00227-20732381, 20732517.

Sunshine International Travel Agency: 00227-20371666, 98967006

Satguru Travel Agency: 00227-20736931, 32, 33.

Air France: 00227-23900027

Air France Niamey Airport Office: 00227-20734725

Ethiopian Airlines: 00227-20727272

Algerian Airlines: 00227-20733898

Türkiye Airlines: 00227-20723811

Royal Moroccan Airlines: 00227-20732853.

Taxi companies: 00227-20734459, 20734465, 20734468.

land transport

1、 The highway. As of 2018, the total length of roads in Niger is 14874.49 kilometers, of which 5585.49 kilometers are asphalt roads and the rest are dirt roads. The railway connecting the capital Niamey and Dosso has been built, but it has not yet been put into use.

2、 Public transportation. There are three large long-distance bus companies in the capital city of Niamey, which operate regular daily buses to major cities in neighboring countries such as Benin, Nigeria, and Mali.

3、 Car rental and self driving. The traffic regulations are basically similar to those in France, with few asphalt roads in the city and suburbs, poor road conditions, narrow and poor quality lanes, potholes and unevenness, so drivers need to be careful. There are many sandy roads, and low chassis and low-power cars are prone to getting stuck in the sand.

4、 Common contact information

SNTV Transport Company (Soci é t é Nig é rienne de Transports Voyageurs) phone number: 00227-20723020.

Rimbo Transport Voyageurs: 00227-20741413.

Air Transport's phone number is 00227-93220534.

Special reminder: 1. The road conditions in Niger are poor, and there are often sand pits and vehicles stuck in dirt roads. Driving should be extra careful. Local vehicles are severely overloaded, in poor condition, and prone to accidents; 2. Chinese driver's licenses can be exchanged for local driver's licenses after certification; 3. The old paper driver's license in Niger will be invalidated in August 2020, and all will be updated to the new biometric driver's license.

water communication

The Niger River flows 550 kilometers through Niger and is navigable for small boats from October to March of the following year, with Niamey City as the central river port.

Urban transportation

There are no city buses or subways in Niger.

There are taxis in major cities that stop at your fingertips. The billing method is not fixed, usually 200 CFA francs for short trips within the city and 500-1000 CFA francs for long trips. Taxis often stop midway to pick up other passengers. The price from the airport to the city center is about 3000-4000 Spanish francs.

major city

1、 Capital Niamey

Niamey is located in the southwestern part of Niger, on the plain of the middle reaches of the Niger River. When French colonizers arrived in 1902, Niamey was still a small fishing village. In 1926, it became the capital of Niger.

The city covers an area of 239 square kilometers and has a population of 1.5655 million people (2018 data), making it the political, economic, and transportation center and largest city in China. The center of major agricultural regions in the country. Peanut, cotton, and livestock product distribution center and sales market. There are small and medium-sized enterprises in industries such as textiles, cement, metal tools, food processing, slaughter and meat freezing, embossing, daily chemical industry, liquefied petroleum gas, plastics, etc. The Niger River is navigable for small boats from October to March of the following year. In addition to connecting major cities in China and neighboring countries, there are also roads that cross the Sahara Desert and lead to countries such as Algeria. There are government office buildings, Niamey University, National Museum, mosques, etc. in the city center. Niamey is divided into five urban areas, with residential areas divided into left and right areas by the Niger River. The Kennedy Bridge, built with the assistance of the United States, and the China Nepal Friendship Bridge, built with the assistance of China, are the main transportation channels between the two sides. There are two universities in the city, Niamey University and Islamic University, with very few research institutions and weak research capabilities.

The climate of the American savannah is characterized by a rainy season from June to September each year, with an average annual rainfall of 457 millimeters and an average temperature of 28.9 ℃.

2、 Zindel

The Zinder Region is located in the southern part of Niger, bordering Nigeria. The capital city of Zindel is located 861 kilometers east of Niamey and 240 kilometers north of the northern Nigerian city of Kano. According to statistics from 2018, the population of the entire region was 3.36 million, with 160230 people in the capital city of Zinder. It was the capital of French colonies from 1900 to 1926. It is an important transportation hub on the east-west trunk road of Niger, the location of oil refineries, and an important distribution center for peanuts, livestock, and leather. There are small factories for leather making, oil extraction, flour production, as well as traditional handicrafts such as ironware and silver jewelry. Lack of water resources.

3、 Maradi

The Maradi region borders Nigeria and is 650 kilometers away from Niamey. The total area of the district is 417,96 square kilometers, accounting for 3.3% of the national area. According to statistics in 2018, the population of the district was 3539950, with a down payment of 278082 people in Maradi. The northern region belongs to the Sahara Desert climate, while the central and southern regions have the Sahel climate and Sudanese grassland climate. The northern pasture is rich in resources, with a perennial lake and many ponds within its borders. But the production potential has seriously declined, and there is great pressure on population growth.

4、 Agadez

Agadez Region is 950 kilometers away from Niamey and covers an area of 667799 square kilometers, accounting for 52% of the country's total area. According to statistics from 2018, the total population of the district was 527126, with a population of 124324 in Agadez. The southern region has a dry climate in the Sahel region, while the northern and eastern regions have a tropical desert climate. There are many oases in the area, with abundant groundwater and mineral resources such as salt, copper, cassiterite, coal, and uranium. The tourism resources are abundant, and there is great potential for the development of handicrafts. But the river water flow is highly seasonal, the land is barren, and desertification is severe. One of the economic pillars of Nepal, the uranium mine, is located within the province, and there is also a certain prospect for the development of oil in the north.

5、 Difa

The Difa Region is located in the easternmost part, adjacent to Chad and Nigeria. The capital city of Difa is 1500 kilometers away from Niamey. The total area of the district is 156906 square kilometers, accounting for 12% of the national area. According to statistics in 2018, the population of the district was 593821, with the capital city of Difa having 180026 people. There are many irrigated lands within the territory, with abundant water, pasture, and livestock resources. There are good development prospects in areas such as Arabic gum, alkali soaking, and fishery processing. However, the desertification in the area is severe, vegetation has been destroyed, and the land suitable for cultivation and agriculture is barren. The land and water are saline alkali, and the economic and social infrastructure is backward. There are oil reserves in the north.

6、 Duo Suo

The Duoso Region is located at the southwestern end, bordering Benin and Nigeria. The capital city of Dosso is 130 kilometers away from Niamey. The total area of the district is 33844 square kilometers, accounting for 2.7% of the national area. According to statistics in 2018, the population of the district was 2120260, with 89132 people in the capital city of Duoso. The Niger River flows through the territory, with forest resources accounting for 18% of the country's total and fertile land. However, there is a lack of drinking water points for livestock, environmental degradation, low medical coverage, and a lack of educational facilities and equipment.

Hotel Restaurant

（1） The H ô tel Gaweye, built in 1981, is located on the banks of the Niger River, near the International Conference Building. It is a four-star luxury hotel with 200 standard rooms and 36 suites, 2 large conference halls, a swimming pool, and a tennis court. Phone: 00227-20722710, 11 Fax: 00227-20723347.

（2） The Grand H ô tel, built in 2006, is a four-star hotel located near the Niger River and 15 minutes from the airport. It has 93 rooms, 5 suites, and multiple meeting rooms. Phone: 00227-20732216 Fax: 00227-20732643.

（3） The H ô tel Soluxe International, built in March 2015, is a five-star hotel invested and constructed by Huayou Group. Located by the Niger River, adjacent to the Niger River Second Bridge, it has 6 suites, 10 twin rooms, 56 king rooms, 3 conference halls, Chinese and Western restaurants, tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pools and other facilities. Address: 1100 Africa Avenue, Niamey, Phone: 00227-20330446, Email: niameyhotel@soluxeint.com .

（4） Hotels opened by Chinese and overseas Chinese: Golden Dragon Hotel, telephone: 00227-96961818; Crown Hotel, phone: 00227-98889888.

（5） The Radisson Blu, completed in June 2019, is an international five-star hotel. This hotel is located in the heart of Niamey, with a total of 189 rooms and 8 luxurious suites. Booking hotline:+227 23231111, service languages are English and French.

（6） Bravia Hotel, built in July 2019, is a five-star hotel. Located in the center of Niamey city, the surrounding area is well-equipped with supermarkets, clinics, pharmacies, and more. Booking Phone Number:+ 227 20 35 40 00.

（7） The Noom Hotel, completed in September 2019, is a five-star hotel. Adjacent to the Nia Meilisheng Hotel, with a superior geographical location. The hotel has 141 guest rooms, 6 suites, and a large conference hall that can accommodate 200 people. Booking hotline:+227 23 02 30.

Commodity prices

1、 Products. Niger is a country mainly engaged in agricultural and animal husbandry production, with a very low level of economic and social development, and is one of the least developed countries listed by the United Nations. Grain production is unstable, and the main grain crops include millet, sorghum, potatoes, and beans. The industrial foundation is weak, and industrial products mainly rely on imports.

2、 Prices. Niger suffers from material scarcity and high prices, especially for vegetables, which remain consistently high from March to July each year. Green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cucumbers, Chinese cabbage, and other vegetables are priced as high as 6-7 US dollars per kilogram in the market, while beef and mutton are priced at about 5 US dollars per kilogram. Supermarket items are even more expensive, with vegetable prices reaching up to 15 US dollars per kilogram. The local area is rich in mangoes, papayas, as well as tropical fruits such as bananas and oranges, with moderate prices.

3、 Currency and exchange rates. The circulating currency in Niger is the Franc de la Communaut é Financi è re d'Afrique, also known as the West African Franc (CFA). 1 Euro 660 West African Franc (pegged to the Euro). 1 US dollar is approximately 550 West African francs. 1 Chinese yuan is approximately 85 West African francs.

4、 Tax burden. The main tax revenue of Niger comes from value-added tax (19%), and shopping and consumption are basically not subject to additional taxes and fees.

5、 Payment method. Payment is mainly made in cash and check, international payment cards cannot be used, and mobile payments are not supported.

6、 Banking and financial services. The main banks include: Sonibank, formerly the National Bank of Niger, BIA, BOA, Banque Atlantique, Ecobank, and others. Individuals can exchange a limited amount of US dollars and euros for West African francs with their passport.

7、 Common contact information

Niger Bank Group Phone: 00227-20734569 Fax: 00227-20734693.

African Bank Phone: 00227-20733088 Fax: 00227-20733818.

African International Bank Phone: 00227-20733101 Fax: 00227-207335958.

Special Reminder:Please do not exchange US dollars and euros near the airport or on the local black market. It is recommended to exchange through legitimate channels.

Insurance Medical

1、 Medical conditions. According to statistics from 2018, there were a total of 942 hospitals and clinics in China, including 3 national level hospitals, 6 provincial level hospitals, and 299 private clinics. On average, there is one doctor for every 30000 people, one nurse for every 3400 people, and one hospital bed for every 2702 people. In 2018, the number of people infected with malaria was 2756065, with 3331 deaths. There are pharmacies in major cities with multiple locations and 24-hour service. In 2018, the national medical service coverage rate was 50.1%, the actual acceptance rate of medical services was 49.44%, the coverage rate of urban sanitary drinking water reached 96%, the birth rate was 45.64 ‰, the mortality rate was 9.12 ‰, the infant mortality rate was 48.0 ‰, and the average life expectancy was 62 years.

2、 Medical insurance. Niger's medical insurance industry is underdeveloped, and there is no local medical insurance suitable for foreigners. Individuals coming to Niger should apply for medical insurance and other related matters in their home country. If choosing local insurance, it is recommended to choose Caren Insurance Company.

3、 Common diseases include malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, meningitis, poliomyelitis, dysentery, etc. If diagnosed with the above-mentioned diseases, one should seek treatment at a hospital with good local conditions as soon as possible, and if necessary, arrange for transfer to other countries with good medical conditions or return to China for medical treatment.

4、 Hospitals and pharmacies. H ô pital de R é f é rence, Clinique Magori, H ô pital National de Niamey, H ô pital National de Lamord é, Pharmacie du Grand March é, Pharmacie du Ch â teau 1, Niger Türkiye Friendship Hospital - Turquie).

5、 Common contact information

Chinese Embassy's insurance hotline: 00227-90373888

Chinese medical team consultation hotline: 00227-98639122

Appointment hotline for nucleic acid testing institutions: 00227-80090111

Niamey National Hospital phone numbers: 00227-20722253, 20722326, 20722442

Niamey University Affiliated Hospital Phone: 00227-20316876, 20315868 Fax: 00227-20315997.

Big Market Pharmacy Phone: 00227-20734078 Fax: 00227-20733648.

Phone and fax number of Water Tower Pharmacy No.1: 00227-20722777.

Special Reminder:Chinese people coming to Niger should have medical insurance and travel accident insurance in China. Pay special attention to preventing mosquito bites and equip with medication for preventing and treating malaria. It is recommended to receive vaccines for yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid fever, etc.

Customs taboos

1、 Main holidays: January 1st is New Year's Day, April 24th is National Harmony Day, May 1st is Labor Day, August 3rd is Independence Day, and December 18th is the founding day of the Republic (National Day). In addition, Eid al Fitr (October 1st in the Islamic calendar), Eid al Adha (December 10th in the Islamic calendar), and some Christian holidays such as Christmas (December 25th) are also national statutory holidays.

2、 Religion and customs: Niger is an Islamic country, with over 90% of its residents practicing Islam. Nepal is also a multi-ethnic country, with different customs and habits among different ethnic groups.

Nigerians have a tradition of early marriage, with men generally getting married between the ages of 18 and 20, while women's standard age for marriage is around 14 years old. Women generally do not wear veils, while Tuareg men wear veils after the age of 25. The Bororo people in Niger have a tradition of male beauty pageants. Nigerians avoid sleeping with their faces facing east or lying down during the rainy season. Most Nigerians who follow traditional religions are worshippers, who believe in the existence of spirits in all things and worship deities such as the sun, moon, certain trees, rocks, etc.

Special Reminder:Muslim believers pray 5 times a day, and those who are new to Niger should respect the religious customs of Islamic countries and not interfere with or affect the prayer activities of local people.

Communications Power

1、 Power supply voltage. The general civilian voltage in Niger is 220V, 50Hz, and the power socket is of the inner hole double round head type (the same as in France).

2、 Communication network. Telephone and international/domestic dialing methods:

The local mobile communication is based on the GSM standard, and there are multiple telecommunications operators such as Nigert é l é coms, Zamani, Airtel, Moov, etc. The network signal is poor. Airtel and Zamani provide 4G services in the city center area, while other operators and Airtel and Zamani only provide 2G and 3G services outside the city center. Dial Niger landline number 00227+within China; Dial the phone number 00227+. In Niger, dialing a Chinese landline number is 0086+region number+landline number; Dial the phone number 0086+

Local landline: 25 West African francs per minute. Domestic long-distance landline: 150 West African francs per minute. Mobile: Approximately 120 West African francs per minute. International long-distance (call to China): approximately 350 West African francs per minute

3、 Internet.

The main operators providing network services are Zamani, Liptinfor, Moov, etc. Slow internet speed and high prices.

Special Reminder:Sudden power outages caused by weather, power lines, and other factors are more frequent in the local area, which can easily cause damage to computers and other equipment. It is recommended to install uninterruptible power supplies for important office computers, and when selecting household appliances, it is recommended to choose fixed frequency appliances.

contact information