This African country is popularly known as the “Giant of Africa” because of its population and economy. Nigeria, a country on the Gulf of Guinea, is surprisingly a cool tourist destination in Africa that you shouldn’t miss.

Going to Nigeria might sound easy, but actually, it takes time. US citizens must obtain a visa first before going there. In this article, we listed down the information that you might need in processing your Nigeria Tourist Visa. Read the article and try to apply for a visa, then explore this “Giant” African country.

Facts about Nigeria

Language

The official language in Nigeria is English.

Currency

Nigerian naira

Religion

The two main religions in Nigeria are Christianity and Islam.

Main Requirements in Applying for Nigeria Tourist Visa

1. A valid passport. (must be valid for the next 6 months)

2. Signed and completed the visa application form. (The Consulate of Nigeria has introduced a web-based visa application form. You can see the website below at the step by step section.)

3. Online payment confirmation.

4. Two (2) latest passport-photos (2x2 format).

5. Invitation letter from Host in Nigeria.

6. Passport data page of Host.

7. Hotel reservation if the applicant does not have a Host.

8. Return Ticket

9. Proof of funds that will support your trip. It can be a bank certificate or a bank statement, etc.

Visa Fee

The visa fee is $160 for US citizens. But this is subject to change.

Note: An additional $20 is added for the transaction fee. All fees are non-refundable.

Mode of Payment: Visa fees can be paid by Debit or Credit card or Money Order made to: Innovate 1 Service LLC/FGN.

Important things to remember

Please note that ALL visa applications and payments must be made through the Nigeria Immigration Website. (Please see below for the step by step online visa application process.)
Because of the New Visa Policy, starting from April 25, 2016, all visa applicants must submit their printed visa applications at the Nigerian Visa Collection and Sorting Center in person. (All details are written below.)

Step by Step Online Visa Application Process on Nigeria Tourist Visa

Step 1: Visit the Nigeria Immigration Website and click the “Apply for Entry Visa”.

Step 2: Click the processing country then select “United States”.

Step 3: Just click the “Start Application”

Step 4: After clicking the Start Application button, the website will bring you to the Innovate 1 Services Website.

Step 5: In the Innovate 1 Services Website, log in to your existing email account. (It should be active.)

Step 6: After that, you can start the application process, please register your account to Innovate 1 Service.

Step 7: Pick Washington DC as your processing office.

Step 8: Please complete and sign the application form, click submit, then print. (It must be 7 pages in total.)

Step 9: After the application was submitted, you will be given an application ID and reference number.

Step 10: Using your application ID and reference number, proceed to the visa payment. You can either use your debit or credit card.

Note: If you do not have a debit or credit card, you can use a money order of $180. Please link the money order with your application ID and reference number.

PLEASE WAIT for Innovate 1 Services to confirm that they have received your money order.

Step 11: Print out your visa payment slip and acknowledgment form.

Step 12: Bring all the print out documents (filled application and payment) to the Nigerian Visa Collection and Sorting Center. Below are the contact details of the office.

OIS SERVICES – WASHINGTON METRO OFFICE

Address: 11900 Parklawn Drive, Suite 160, Rockville, MD 20852
Tel: 301-231-7000
Email: infowashingtondc@oisservices.com
Office hours: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM (Mon-Thu)

*APPOINTMENTS ONLY

Embassy in the United States

Address: 3519 International Ct NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Contact number:
Tel: (+1) 202 800 7201 / (+1) 202 986 8400
Email: info@nigeriaembassyusa.org

Office hours:
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM (Mon-Fri)

*To directly contact them, just click here.

Frequently Asked Questions on Applying for a Nigeria Tourist Visa

1. When should I apply for a visa?

The best time to apply for a Nigerian visa is at least a month before your departure date.

2. Is it safe to travel to Nigeria?

It is not highly recommended to travel to Nigeria because of violent crimes, piracy, terrorism, etc. Especially to the Northern part of the country due to lawlessness of the area. If you will travel to Nigeria, it is advisable to go to the Western and Eastern parts as they are safer for tourists. To know more about the precautionary measures that you should remember before you go to Nigeria, read them here.

3. Should I get travel insurance before my departure?

Yes. It is highly recommended to get travel insurance before you visit Nigeria.

4. How to get there?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights going to Nigeria from the US. You need a connecting flight to travel there. To fly to Nigeria, you can choose these main airports in the country; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Sadiq Abubakar III International Airport Sokoto. Among these three, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is the one located in Abuja, the country's capital.

5. When is the best time to visit Nigeria?

The rainy season in Nigeria is from June to September, while the dry season is from November to April. Because of that, it is recommended to visit during the dry season. During these months, the weather in Nigeria is nice and cool, tourists can fully enjoy Nigeria’s top attractions.

6. Will I have a hard time communicating with the locals?

No, not at all. Nigeria’s official language is English. Communicating with the locals won’t be difficult. You can ensure that your travel would be nice and smooth.

7. Why should I visit Nigeria?

If you’re in for a trip to remember, Nigeria should be a part of your list. As a country known as the “Giant of Africa”, you can never go wrong here. Its natural landmarks and wildlife reserves are a must-see. Witness amazing views and beautiful nature such as the mountains, and forests. And if you want to experience the Nigerian city life, Lagos is the place to be. This largest city in Nigeria is popular for its nightlife and is considered as the most vibrant on the continent.

If these reasons don’t make you feel the need to go to this lively country, then you might want to think more. Nigeria really deserves recognition from tourists around the world. Visit this country and see for yourself that it is not a scary place at all.