On May 1, 2025, Nigeria officially launched its E-Visa and Landing & Exit Cards service.
A new era for immigrants in Nigeria
With the official deployment of the E-VISA system, Nigeria is taking a major leap in upgrading its border control procedures. The initiative, effective as of May 1, 2025, is part of a broader strategy aimed at addressing the challenges of transition while increasing the country's appeal as a tourist and business destination.
The e-visa is now replacing the arrival visa system, officially discontinued yesterday. “The already issued visa on arrival will remain valid until May 30, 2025,” the Nigerian Immigration Bureau confirmed.
Key features of Nigeria's new E-Visa
The new e-visa system is completely digital and can only be accessed through the official Nigerian e-Visa portal: evisa.immigration.gov.ng.
The key highlights are:
Fast Processing Time: If submitted correctly, the applicant will receive a decision within 48 hours. This is much faster than traditional consul processes, which can take up to 10 business days. Flexible validity: E-VISAs are issued for stays ranging from 30 to 90 days, depending on the applicant's nationality and the selected visa category. Extensions are not allowed. You will need to arrange longer stays through the embassy using the traditional visa process. Wide Visa Type: The platform supports 13 different e-Visa categories, covering everything from single or multiple business trips to tourism, family visits, transportation and short-term research. Improved security and transparency: Digital systems ensure data protection, enable real-time application tracking, and significantly reduce the risk of document fraud.
Eligibility and application process
To apply for an E-Visa, travelers must have a valid passport for at least six months, exceeding the intended date of entry to Nigeria. The following digital submissions are required for the application:
Passport Passport Style Photo Biometric Page All Additional Documents Needed for a Specific Visa Category
You must use the approved method directly in the portal to make payments.
Approved e-Visa holders can enter Nigeria via the following international airports: All of these have E-gates for faster and safer processing.
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja)Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos)Port Harcourt International Airport (Port Harcourt)Malam Aminu Aminu International Airport (Kano)Margaret Ekpo International Airport (Carabal)Akanuibiam International Airport (Engle)
Digital Landing & Exit Card: Streamline Travel Procedures in Nigeria
Nigeria is also working with the E-VISA system to deploy a fully digital arrival card system known as the Landing & Exit Card. This replaces old paper-based boarding and disembarking forms.
According to the Nigerian Immigration Agency, all international travelers except Nigerian citizens entering the country must complete their card online before boarding their arrival or departure flights.
“For inbound passengers (except Nigerians), the landing card must be officially completed online prior to boarding. For outbound passengers, the exit card must be officially completed online prior to departure,” the authorities said.
This form is available on our dedicated portal: lecard.immigration.gov.ng. This provides complete digital management of traveler information. The system is integrated with the Nigerian visa processing centre and allows for immediate enforcement of penalties for inmates, including:
$15 per day fine for up to five years of entry ban for tenure exceeding permanent ban on stocks of more than one year
This digitization improves the overall flow of immigration procedures, significantly reducing waiting times at border checkpoints, and enhances security through accurate monitoring of entries and exits.
Ambitious policies to secure Nigeria's borders
Supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Nigerian immigration authorities, these digital reforms reflect a strong commitment to making travel to Nigeria more accessible to legitimate visitors while improving border security. This initiative is consistent with global best practices by promoting transparency, efficiency and safety.
Nigeria is in a new chapter where digital innovation and security work together to set the stage for improved border control and strengthening international engagement.
