GoNigeria Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Transit visa

Issued to a transit person who stays in Nigeria for no more than 7 days; For direct transit passengers, a transit visa with a stay of no more than 48 hours will be issued. The applicant should apply to the Nigerian embassy or consulate in the local area according to the following steps: A、 Fill out the visa application form online and print it out; B、 Online payment and printing receipts; C、 Submit 2 photos; D、 The applicant may be required to undergo an interview. If you have not obtained a transit visa before departure, you can also apply for it at the airport after arriving in Nepal.

2、 Landing Sign

Sent to business professionals, senior executives of multinational corporations, or important potential investors, applicants need to apply online in advance and upload personal passport photos, application letters, copies of passport pages, return tickets, invitation letters from the Nigerian host organization, and their CAC certificates. For specific requirements, please refer to the website of the Nigerian Immigration Bureau for visa on arrival application https://immigration.gov.ng/voa-new/ .

There are two ways to apply: one is to apply by email（ oa@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng ）The second option is to apply through a representative or collaborator in Nigeria. For specific requirements, please refer to the website of the Nigerian Immigration Department https://immigration.gov.ng/visa-on-arrival/ .

3、 Visit visa

Sent to personnel visiting Nigeria. The applicant must provide: A、 return ticket; B、 Reliable access address; C、 Invitation letter from the receiving unit and proof of sufficient funds. During the visit, no business or work is allowed. If the stay time is not enough, an extension application can be submitted to the immigration authorities, which can be extended once (valid for 3 months). If you need long-term residence or work, you must apply for a temporary residence and work visa from the immigration office.

4、 Work visa

1. Work visas, namely STR visas (Subject to Regulation), are issued to foreigners who plan to live in Nigeria. They can be owners and employees of foreign industrial and commercial enterprises registered in Nigeria and their spouses and children. The applicant must obtain an approved immigration quota permit and business permit, and submit the following documents to the Nepalese embassy or immigration office: passport valid for more than 6 months, 4 photos, certificate of company registration in Nepal, copy of the letter document for the company's STR visa application, job certificate, and personal resume.

The validity period of STR visa is generally 3 months and can be extended multiple times without any limit. After arriving in Nepal, the applicant must apply for a residence permit, also known as the CERPAC Card (Combined Expatriate Residence PERMIT&ALIEN CARD), from the Nigerian Immigration Bureau within the validity period of the STR visa. The applicant is required to provide the same documents, company tax receipts, personal income tax receipts, and personal fingerprints as the STR visa application, and pay a certain fee. This card is valid for one year and can be used together with the passport.

Foreign citizens holding residence permits are divided into two categories: Category A allows them to work; Relatives of Class A personnel, such as spouses and children, are not allowed to work. If you want to work in Nepal, you must apply to the immigration office.

2. Temporary Work Permit (TWP), also known as Temporary Work Permit. This visa is used for specific purposes of entry, such as machine installation, equipment maintenance, business processing, etc. The application is submitted by the legal representative of the company, who declares the purpose of the invited person's visit, duration of stay, personal information, and the responsibilities borne by the company. The TWP visa is valid for 2 months upon initial application and can be extended locally, with a maximum of 2 extensions and a cumulative maximum stay of 6 months. This type of visa can be converted into a long-term work visa by applying to the immigration office. The required documents are the same as applying for STR.

5、 Diplomatic courtesy visa

Diplomatic courtesy visas are issued to government officials, personnel of United Nations agencies, technical assistance project personnel, economic and trade delegations, as well as individuals invited by the Nepalese federal government and officially appointed diplomatic personnel stationed in Nepal.

6、 Mutual visa exemption

Citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other countries that have mutually waived visas with Nepal are exempt from visa requirements. The above personnel must enter the country by plane, ship, or vehicle at the designated port. Immigration officials believe that only those who are free from illness, do not pose a security threat to Nepal, and do not rely on relief for survival are allowed to enter the country.

The Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Mutual Exemption of Visa Requirements for Personnel Holding Diplomatic and Official (Official) Passports shall come into effect on February 1, 2014. Personnel holding valid passports as stipulated in the Agreement may enter the other contracting party without a visa. Chinese nationals holding diplomatic, official, or public service ordinary passports are entitled to visa free treatment when traveling to Nigeria on official business, and are generally allowed to stay for no more than 30 days.

7、 Electronic Registration Policy

Nigeria requires foreigners who have stayed in Nigeria for more than 90 days and have reached the age of 18 to implement electronic registration. Foreigners must provide relevant materials to the immigration department of their residence and conduct online registration. For details, see https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gUeoUyUuN_deKxI5QJLQvyfJkWSpz0sk/view .

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1、 No animals, plants, drugs, or internationally prohibited items are allowed to enter or exit the country.

2、 According to the anti money laundering regulations of the Central Bank of Nepal, no more than $10000 in cash or equivalent foreign exchange can be carried at each entry and exit. Local customs officials have a greater degree of flexibility in law enforcement. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it is recommended to minimize the amount of imported and exported goods.

3、 Take good care of your passport, documents, valuables, etc. Copies of passports, ID cards, residence permits, and driver's licenses are required.

4、 It is best to have a reception unit or relatives to pick up and drop off at the airport when arriving and leaving Nepal. Some illegal personnel at Nini International Airport may harass passengers and extort money. In such a situation, one should argue with reason, record the other party's name, work number, vehicle number or other markings, and report the situation to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal afterwards.

5、 After entering the country, Chinese citizens should strictly abide by Nepalese regulations. Visitors holding a visa should not engage in profit-making activities. If you plan to work or do business in Nepal, you should promptly complete the necessary procedures. Those who fail to complete the necessary procedures after their visa expires and do not return on time will face heavy penalties or even deportation from the Nigerian immigration authorities. Do not extend your stay by requesting immigration officials to stamp their entry and exit stamps on your passport through improper means. These seals are sometimes forged, which can result in adverse consequences such as being refused entry.

6、 According to relevant regulations, illegal carrying of items or failure to declare customs in accordance with regulations will result in fines and confiscation of items. It is strictly prohibited to bring wild animals or related products (such as ivory, rhino horn, pangolins, etc.) into or out of the country, otherwise not only will they face heavy economic penalties, but they will also be subject to judicial trial.

7、 Nigeria has poor medical and health conditions, with frequent outbreaks of malaria, cholera, typhoid fever and other epidemics. According to national regulations, it is necessary to receive the "yellow fever vaccine" and hold an "International Vaccination Certificate" before entering the country.

8、 Nigeria established a customs tariff system in 1995, with an average import tariff rate of 12% in 2022. Among them, the average tariff rate for agricultural products is 15.9%, and the average tariff rate for non-agricultural products is 11.4%. Nigeria encourages domestic industrial and agricultural production through tariff escalation. Implement low tariffs on the import of basic raw materials and means of production (including production equipment) for production, and high tariffs on the import of industrial products, food, consumer goods, and luxury goods. The World Trade Organization pointed out in its country report on Nigeria that in the past few years, Nigeria's trade protectionism has been continuously strengthening.

In January 2004, the Federal Government of Nigeria unilaterally announced an import ban on 41 products. In 2005 and 2006, the Nigerian Ministry of Finance issued revised lists of prohibited goods, further adjusting the original list of prohibited goods. The ban list covers some of the goods with a large export volume from China to Nigeria, such as textiles, shoes, bags, etc. At the end of 2010, the Nigerian government revised the ban list again, lifting the import bans on toothpicks, cassava, as well as some furniture and textiles. At the same time, the age limit for second-hand motor vehicles allowed to be imported was extended from 10 years to 15 years. For details of the ban list, please refer to the website: www.customs.gov.ng。

The prohibited goods for export include corn, logs and wooden boards (teak), animal hides, scrap metal, unprocessed latex and rubber clots, cultural relics and antiques, rare wild animals and products such as crocodiles, elephants, lizards, eagles, monkeys, zebras, lions, etc. Please refer to the list for details: https://customs.gov.ng .

Residency and Naturalization

Nigeria recognizes dual citizenship. Those who acquire Nepalese nationality by birth do not automatically lose their Nepalese nationality as they also possess a third nationality.

Foreigners who wish to become Nepalese nationals must have lived in Nepal for 15 consecutive years or 12 consecutive months before the date of acceptance of the application for naturalization, but the accumulated actual residence time in Nepal in the previous 20 years is not less than 15 years.

Please refer to the website of the Nigerian Immigration Department for details http://www.immigration.gov.ng/ And the website of the Nigerian Embassy in China.

Nigeria currently has 8 red (extremely high-risk) areas, 21 orange (high-risk) areas, and the rest of the areas are yellow (medium risk). Specifically, as follows:

1、 Red areas: Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Ogun, Osun, Kaduna, Zanfara, Niger, a total of 8 states. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens not to travel to the above-mentioned areas in Nigeria 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: 21 states including Kogi, Lagos, Highlands, Ekiti, Anambra, Enugu, Nasarawa, Benue, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kano, Bauchi, Rivers, Kros River, Edo, Ondo, Abia, Akuaibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Imo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens to travel cautiously to the above-mentioned areas in Nigeria in the near future. Local personnel and institutions have closely monitored the development of the situation, maintained high vigilance, strengthened security precautions and emergency preparations, and ensured 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.

3、 Yellow region: Other regions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds personnel in other regions of Nigeria to strengthen prevention and pay attention to 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

1、 Social security: The overall political situation in Nigeria is stable, but there are occasional group incidents such as fighting and riots caused by tribal, sectarian, and regional conflicts. The activities of Boko Haram in the northeast of Nepal continue, and they have been linked to the overseas terrorist organization "Islamic State" but have not been eradicated. Suicide terrorist attacks on soft targets such as markets and mosques have occurred from time to time, and internal factional struggles have escalated. The former leader of the organization, Shekou, also died in the conflict, but their strength cannot be underestimated. Recently, they have caused multiple large-scale kidnapping of students, attacks on military bases and other vicious incidents, which remain the main security threat facing Nepal. Frequent conflicts between farmers and herdsmen in the central and northern regions of Nepal often result in large-scale casualties and local unrest. The terrorist organization "Lakurava" is active frequently in the northwestern region of Nepal. The separatist forces of the "Biafra indigenous people" in southeastern Nepal are on the rise, often organizing anti-government rallies. Violence is particularly rampant in the southeast, often damaging oil and gas pipelines and carrying out kidnappings. Military and police facilities have been frequently attacked in recent times. Pirate forces are active along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. The Nepalese trade union has a strong influence and often calls for strikes, sometimes escalating into regional riots, causing a large number of casualties. During politically sensitive periods such as elections, party struggles and other political factors become key factors that trigger social unrest and disorder.

The Nigerian economy mainly relies on oil exports, with low levels of industrial and agricultural production and high dependence on foreign countries. Recently, affected by the COVID-19, the depressed international oil price and economic contraction, the Nigerian currency depreciated seriously, the unemployment rate was high, and the proliferation of civilian weapons made social security more severe. Criminals take risks and resort to kidnapping, extortion, robbery, and burglary as their means of livelihood, leading to frequent cases and exacerbating the threat to the safety of foreign enterprises and expatriates in Nepal. Various types of commercial fraud are common and constantly emerging.

Chinese citizens (especially those who do not understand English and have no relatives) should not travel to Nepal alone. Chinese citizens who have entered the country should effectively raise their awareness of epidemic prevention, carefully arrange their travel plans, avoid going to crowded places during holidays and other periods, and especially avoid traveling alone at night. Those who need to go out should bring necessary cash and hire qualified security companies. If encountering criminals, especially those with guns or weapons, one should remain calm and assess the situation, not blindly resist, and prioritize the preservation of life. Promptly report to the local police station and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the area afterwards. It is best to rent apartments and hotels with security guards and police on duty, as safety is more guaranteed. It is best to carry a mobile phone at all times to keep in touch with the outside world in a timely manner.

2、 Traffic safety: Nepal's infrastructure construction is backward, road traffic conditions are poor, and many road sections lack traffic signals and night lighting equipment, resulting in a high risk of nighttime driving. The situation of rough driving by local drivers is quite common and the vehicles are older, resulting in frequent traffic accidents, especially the frequent collision of large trucks and crushing of small cars. Pedestrian safety awareness is also relatively weak, often crossing the road regardless of traffic conditions. Therefore, when traveling in Nepal, it is important to pay attention to traffic safety, fasten your seat belt, avoid driving at night as much as possible, and maintain safety precautions.

natural disaster

Nigeria rarely experiences natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, but floods, droughts, and sandstorms occur from time to time. Due to frequent thunderstorms during the rainy season, it is necessary to prevent lightning strikes.

FDA

The food supply in Nigerian cities is relatively sufficient, but the hygiene conditions are backward. Diseases caused by dirty and disorderly environments such as cholera and Lassa fever are more severe in some areas of Nigeria. It is recommended not to directly drink local tap water or consume fresh food. Please try to dine in restaurants with better hygiene conditions.

Urgent Help

Consular protection of mobile phones at the Embassy of Nigeria:+ 234-(0)7040702408

Consulate General in Lagos protects mobile phones:+ 234-（0）9162791792

Abuja fire alarm hotline:+ 234-（0）80320033337，+234-（0）92906118

Abuja police emergency hotline:+ 234- (0) 8061581938,+234- (0) 08032003913

Lagos police emergency hotline:+ 234- (0) 8081776262,+234- (0) 8023400797

The above phone numbers are all domestic dialing methods. If dialing from a Nigerian phone, remove the country code+234 and add an extra "0". If dialing the embassy's security phone number, it will be 07040702408.

air traffic

There are 23 airports throughout Nigeria responsible for commercial passenger and cargo transportation. Lagos, Abuja, Hackett Port, and Kano International Airport are Nigeria's main gateway to the world. Direct flights from Lagos to Guangzhou will be launched in July 2022. At the same time, you can take British Airways, Lufthansa Airlines, Egypt Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Air France, Qatar Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Türkiye Airlines, etc. to stop in a third country for transit. Domestic routes mainly connect major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, and Kano, operated by local airlines with low on-time flight rates.

The main way to travel between the city and the airport is by taxi; The Abu Dhabi City Railway, constructed by China Civil Engineering Corporation, was put into operation in July 2018.

Special reminder: Pay attention to safety after getting off the plane to prevent theft and robbery.

land transport

Nigeria's railways are about 3800 kilometers long, but most of them are narrow gauge railways that have been in disrepair for a long time and operate poorly. In July 2016, the Abuja Kaduna railway was officially opened, becoming Nepal's first modern railway to be put into operation. In June 2021, the Lagos Ibadan railway was officially put into operation. The total length of highways is 193200 kilometers, including 59000 kilometers of expressways, which have basically formed a transportation network connecting the capital city Abuja and the state capitals, with a utilization rate of over 90%. Road transportation accounts for 95% of domestic freight volume and 96% of passenger volume, respectively.

water communication

Nigeria is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean, with a coastline of over 800 kilometers. The superior geographical conditions provide a unique advantage for its maritime development. Shipping is the main way for it to conduct international trade. Nigeria has 8 major seaports, 11 oil terminals, and 102 terminal berths. Lagos Port is the busiest and largest port in West Africa, with dozens of shipping companies and thousands of cargo ships loading and unloading goods at the port every year. Most of the goods exported from China to Nigeria are transported to this port. There are 12 navigable rivers in Nigeria, mainly the Niger River and the Benue River, which undertake inland waterway transportation. The total length of inland waterway routes is about 3000 kilometers.

Urban transportation

Most cities have taxi services, but they are old and unreliable. If taking a taxi, it is recommended to negotiate the fare in advance, or choose to book a trip through ride hailing apps such as Uber. Sometimes a 10% tip is required in addition to the fare when taking a taxi. There are bus routes in central cities such as Abuja and Lagos.

major city

1、 Abuja

capital of Nigeria. Located more than 500 kilometers away from Lagos in a straight line, it is situated in the geographical center of Nigeria, at the intersection of Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, and Nasarawa states. It is a transitional zone between the humid and hot climate in the south and the arid climate in the north. The urban area of Abuja covers an area of 250 square kilometers (the Federal Capital Territory covers an area of 8000 square kilometers). The population is approximately 3.652 million. The infrastructure construction level in the capital region is leading the country, and the urban planning is relatively clean and orderly.

2、 Lagos

Nigeria's former capital and largest port city. Located at the southwestern end of the border, on the north coast of the Gulf of Guinea. It consists of six small islands and a continental part at the mouth of the Ogun River. The area is 74 square kilometers. The main island of Lagos is the city center, connected by bridges to Ikoi Island, Victoria Island, and the mainland. Concentrate one-third of the national industrial enterprises and employees, with a total industrial output value of 60%. There are five major industrial zones in Apapa, Ilupeju, Yaba, Ikeja, and Muxin, with large-scale factories for oil extraction (palm oil), cocoa processing, textiles, daily chemical industry, sawmilling and plywood, shipbuilding, vehicle repair, metal tools, papermaking, rubber, etc. It is one of the most modern seaports in West Africa, with well-equipped deep-water terminals and dedicated oil, coal, and fishing terminals. The annual throughput is 8 million tons, accounting for 70-80% of the country's import and export freight volume. The fishing industry is quite prosperous. Railways and highways connect inland cities such as Zaria and Kano. In 2023, the Lagos Light Rail Blue Line will begin commercial operation. Famous seaside resort and tourist center. There are institutions such as Lagos University, National Library, and Museum.

Commodity prices

In recent years, the price level in Nigeria has risen rapidly and has remained above double digits for a long time. Many local foods in Nigeria, including rice and flour, vegetables, fruits, edible oil, etc., have a high proportion of imports. Due to factors such as transportation costs, seasonal changes, product quality, and sales locations, there are certain differences in the prices of basic daily necessities in different regions, and the price difference between some markets in the same area and different supermarkets is also significant.

After the outbreak of COVID-19, the local currency naira fluctuated sharply. The official exchange rate is 1 US dollar to 1548 naira (as of January 21, 2025). There is a significant difference in the exchange rate between the naira and the US dollar in parallel markets across different regions.

Insurance Medical

The medical and health conditions in Nigeria are poor, and there is a serious problem of shortage of doctors and medicines. The medical insurance system is virtually non-existent. According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria's total healthcare expenditure accounts for 4.6% of GDP, which is lower than the world average of 9.9%. On average, Nigeria has 4 doctors, 5 hospital beds, 17 nursing and midwifery staff, 1 dentist, and 1 pharmacist per 10000 people. According to purchasing power parity, the per capita healthcare expenditure is $118.

The latest figures released by the World Health Organization show that Nigeria's comprehensive index of the healthcare system ranks 187th among its 191 member countries. Nigeria is a country with high incidence of malaria and AIDS. In addition, epidemics such as diphtheria, Lassa fever, Guinea worm disease, meningitis, river blindness, and cholera are rampant in some areas of Nigeria. Therefore, it is essential to get vaccinated before departure.

The main hospitals in the capital Abuja include Türkiye Hospital, French Hospital, Nigerian National Hospital and a Chinese clinic. There is no Chinese medical team in the local area.

Customs taboos

1、 Customs taboos:

Nigerians have an outgoing personality, emphasizing politeness and etiquette. Nigerians usually greet foreign guests proactively, shake hands, and warmly greet them. In social interactions, Nigerians often refer to male guests as' sir ', familiar ones as' friend' or 'brother', and some people refer to elderly or high-ranking individuals as' dad '; For women, they are often referred to as' Madam ',' Lady ', or' Miss', while some people refer to older women or those of high status as' Mom '. Subordinates often refer to their superiors as job titles, academic titles, or military ranks. When foreigners address Nigerians, they usually use Mr., Miss, Mrs. and title before their surname.

When visiting a Nigerian household, one should agree on a time in advance, choose a time that is convenient for the host, and arrive on time as scheduled. At that time, the host will be waiting at home. It is generally not advisable to visit local households without invitation. Even if invited, one should not wander around or inquire about the host's salary or number of wives.

Nigerians have a strong taste for food, mainly consisting of frying, grilling, and stewing.

Nigerians who believe in Islam fast from pork and other livestock that have died without formal slaughter. Christians consider 13 as ominous and avoid others preaching atheism in person. In Nigeria, the index finger is considered ominous and cannot be used to point at a person; The left hand is dirty, and holding objects with the left hand is a provocative behavior.

2、 Public holidays:

Statutory holidays include: January 1st, New Year's Day; April 6th, Good Friday of Jesus; The first Sunday after the full moon of the Spring Equinox, Easter; May 1st, Labor Day; June 12th, Democracy Day; October 1st, National Day/Independence Day; December 25th, Christmas. Prophet Muhammad's birthday, Eid al Fitr, and Eid al Adha are Muslim holidays, with dates that are not fixed and notified in advance by the Nepalese federal government. Every Saturday and Sunday is a public holiday.

Communications Power

The main telecommunications operators in Nigeria include MTN, 9Mobile, Airtel, and Globacom. The communication industry is dominated by mobile phones. As of August 2023, Nigeria has 220 million mobile phone users and 159 million Internet users.

Local or mobile phone calls can be made directly from a landline phone, while international long-distance calls require 009+international area code+area code+phone number. The local fixed line telephone in Nepal can be dialed using a mobile phone with 0+area code+phone number. Local mobile phones can be dialed directly, while international phone calls can be dialed using "+"+international area code+area code+number. If dialing the domestic fixed line telephone 01012345678, you need to dial+861012345678. If dialing the domestic mobile phone 13912345678, you need to dial "+861391235678". Telephone and mobile phone charges are cheaper than in China. The Nigerian government has invested heavily in the Internet, which covers large cities. However, network signals are generally unstable, slow and expensive. The main mobile network standard is GSM (99.8%), which is compatible with corresponding mobile phones in China. 4G networks are widely used in major cities in Nepal.

Power supply voltage: The plug is a British standard plug, and the local voltage is the same as that in China, which is 220V.

contact information

Chinese Embassy in Nigeria website: http://ng.china-embassy.gov.cn/  

Duty hotline for insurance: 234-7040702408

ID consultation hotline: 234-8187123516

Email: chinaemb_ng@mfa.gov.cn

WeChat official account: chinaembassy_ng Zhongni Dream Bridge

Chinese Consulate General in Lagos website: http://lagos.china-consulate.gov.cn/  

Duty hotline for insurance: 234-9162791792

Email: consulate12308@gmail.com

WeChat official account: volagos Lagos Voice