Western Africa · Immigration

Nigeria

77 immigration routes

Nigeria sits in Western Africa. Its immigration system runs 77 distinct routes — led by family, work and short stays and visits, each set out in official law. All 77 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

1 further route is recorded for Nigeria but not shown here — its details are still under review.

Immigration routes
77across 14 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
77 of 77cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Family32 of the 77 routes — see them under Family below
Region
Western Africa
Capital
Abuja
Population
237,527,782
Official language
English
Currency
NGN
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 77 routes, grouped by purpose — 77 of 77 cite an official government source directly.

Work

6 of 11 say who you can bring
11 routes

For foreign clerics taking up a long-term religious appointment in Nigeria.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children, parents
Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 5
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

For expatriates employed in Nigerian Free Zones (e.g., Lekki Free Trade Zone).

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children, parents
Eligibility: 3Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 5
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

For expatriates working with International NGOs in Nigeria.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children, parents
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A type of visa issued to persons who wish to undergo resident internship programme in Nigeria.

Can bring: spouse, dependants
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Short visit visa for staff of International Non-Governmental organizations (INGOs) for the purpose of INGO activities.

Report facts: 1
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Investment

5 of 5 say who you can bring
5 routes

A multiple-entry type visa for potential large-Scale Corporate Investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.

Savings from USD 1,000,000Can bring: spouse, dependants, children, parents
Eligibility: 4Documents: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A multiple-entry type visa for potential medium-scale enterprise investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.

Savings from USD 500,000Can bring: spouse, dependants, children, parents
Eligibility: 4Documents: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A multiple-entry type visa for potential oil/gas/power sector investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.

Savings from USD 100,000,000Can bring: spouse, dependants, children, parents
Eligibility: 4Documents: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A multiple-entry type visa for potential small-scale enterprise investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.

Savings from USD 250,000Can bring: spouse, dependants, children, parents
Eligibility: 4Documents: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Talent and merit

1 of 2 says who you can bring
2 routes

A Highly Skilled Immigrant Visa for foreign nationals who possess knowledge, abilities, and technical know-how deemed highly relevant to the current and future needs of the Nigerian economy.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children, parents
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Report facts: 8
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Study

1 of 4 says who you can bring
4 routes

A type of visa issued for the purpose of schooling in Nigeria.

Can bring: spouse, dependants
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Family

32 routes

A visa type issued to dependants of expatriates (18 years and above) employed on expatriate quota.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A visa type issued to dependants of employed expatriates on quota who are less than 18 years of age.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A type of visa issued to the Spouse of Academic Exchange Programme (AEP) participants to reside in Nigeria..

Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A visa type issued to dependants of expatriates (18 years and above) employed on expatriate quota.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A type of visa issued to spouses of Nigerian Citizens, in line with the provision of Section 37 (10) of Immigration Act 2015.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 5
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A visa type for the spouses of Permanent Resident Visa holders (Investors, Highly Skilled Immigrants, and Retirees) who wish to reside in Nigeria.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 6
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Living from your own income

2 of 2 say who you can bring
2 routes

A multiple-entry type retirement Visa for persons aged 65 years and above who have retired in Nigeria, having worked in the country for a minimum of 20 years and wish to continue residing in Nigeria.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children, parents
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A multiple-entry type visa for persons aged 65 years and above who have retired abroad and now wishes to reside in Nigeria.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children, parents
Eligibility: 2Documents: 3Process & costs: 2Report facts: 5
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Free movement

1 route

Culture, faith and volunteering

4 routes

Short stay visa for religious officials visiting Nigeria to conduct or participate in religious activities such as preaching seminars or conferences.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Short visa issued to religious Faithfuls/adherents/followers who wish to visit Nigeria for the purpose of attending religious activities/programmes/ pilgrimages or faith-based events.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Report facts: 6
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Short stays and visits

7 routes

A multiple entry type of visa granted to persons for business trips who intend to come into Nigeria multiple times within a period.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A Single-Entry Visa granted to persons who wish to visit Nigeria for business meeting, conference, seminar, training, contract negotiation, marketing, sales, procurement of Nigerian goods/Services, trade fairs and job interview.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A single-entry type of visa granted to persons who wish to visit Nigeria for the purpose of tourism.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A multiple entry type of visa granted to persons who frequently visit Nigeria for social purposes whose countries offer reciprocal privileges to Nigerians.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Ancestry and return

3 routes

Medical treatment

1 route

A Visa type granted to visit to Nigeria for the purpose of receiving medical care in Nigerian hospitals or clinics.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Sport

1 route

A short stay Visa to visit Nigeria for the purpose of participation in or attendance at sport activities or sports competitions.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-08-09

Transit

2 routes

A type of visa granted to persons transiting through Nigeria to another destination for a period of 1-7 days.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

A visa type that allows transfer/direct transit passengers not staying beyond 48 hours with no need to enter Nigerian territory.

Process & costs: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: immigration.gov.ng · checked 2026-07-27

Special cases

1 of 2 says who you can bring
2 routes

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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