A friendly guide for visitors, employees, students and families

Welcome to Nigeria!

Whether you are coming for a few business meetings, starting a new job, joining a university, visiting friends or relocating with your family, your first few days will be easier when you know what to prepare for.

Nigeria can feel fast, energetic and unfamiliar at first. Lagos, in particular, moves at its own pace. Traffic, banking, mobile services and immigration processes may work differently from what you are used to.

Think of this as the advice a colleague or friend would give you before your flight. It is not a replacement for legal, immigration or professional advice, but it should help you ask better questions and avoid common mistakes.

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Before traveling to Nigeria

Start preparing before you book your flight, especially when you are travelling for employment, study or a long stay.

Keep the following ready:

• A Passport valid for at least six months.
• The Correct visa or entry permission for the purpose of your visit.
• A Printed or digital copy of your visa approval.
• Your Return or onward ticket, where required.
• Your Hotel reservation or confirmed residential address.
• The Contact details of the person, employer, school or family member receiving you.
• A Valid Yellow Card showing yellow fever vaccination.
• Copies of important documents stored securely online.
• Any Prescription medication you need, preferably in its original packaging.
• Travel or health insurance that covers you in Nigeria.
• Some Accessible funds for transport, meals and your first few days.

Families travelling with children should also keep birth certificates, parental consent documents where relevant, school records and vaccination records close at hand.

Students should carry their admission letter, payment evidence, accommodation information and the contact details of their institution.

Employees should confirm that their employer has arranged the correct immigration route before travelling. Do not assume that every visa allows you to begin working.

Visa and entry requirements

Your visa depends on three things:

• Your Nationality.
• The Reason for your visit.
• The Length of time you intend to stay.

A visitor coming for tourism may need a tourism visa. Someone attending meetings, negotiations or a conference may need a business visa. Students, employees, dependants and short-term technical experts have different immigration categories.

Some ECOWAS citizens may enter Nigeria for short visits without obtaining a Nigerian visa, subject to regional entry rules. Other nationalities may need an e-Visa or a visa issued through a Nigerian embassy or consulate.

Before travelling:

• Confirm Your visa category through the Nigeria Immigration Service.
• Apply Only through official government portals.
• Check Whether your visa is single-entry or multiple-entry.
• Confirm The permitted length of stay.
• Review Whether the visa can be extended.
• Make Sure the activities you plan to perform are permitted under the visa.

All passengers entering or departing Nigeria are also required to complete the Nigeria Immigration Service Landing and Exit Card.

Avoid using unofficial websites or agents who cannot show where an application is being submitted. A professional adviser may guide the process, but the underlying application should still pass through the proper government channel.

What to expect at the airport

Your arrival will usually involve health screening, immigration checks, baggage collection and customs.

Keep these items easy to reach:

• Your passport.
• Your visa approval.
• Your landing card
• Your yellow fever Card.
• Your accommodation address.
• Your host or employer’s phone number.
• Your return or onward ticket, where applicable.

Answer immigration questions clearly and consistently. The purpose you state at the airport should match the visa you obtained.

After immigration, collect your luggage and proceed through customs. Keep receipts for expensive personal or professional equipment where possible.

For a first visit, arrange airport pickup in advance. A trusted driver, hotel transfer or recognised ride-hailing service is usually easier than trying to make transport decisions immediately after a long flight.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport has FAAN customer service desks where passengers can request directions, report missing items or seek general assistance.

One friendly warning: Lagos traffic can be unpredictable. Tell the person receiving you when you have collected your bags, not only when the plane lands.

Getting a Nigerian SIM

A local SIM makes daily life much easier. You will need a Nigerian number for calls, mobile data, ride-hailing (so that drivers can call you), deliveries, banking alerts and many online services.

Visitors and tourists can generally register a SIM using a valid international passport. Foreign nationals who live and work in Nigeria are expected to obtain a National Identification Number and link it to their mobile line.

For a smoother experience:

• Visit An official network operator shop or recognised service centre.
• Bring Your passport and immigration documents.
• Ask About the best voice and data package for your stay.
• Confirm That the SIM is registered in your own name.
• Avoid Buying a pre-registered SIM from an informal seller.
• Keep The SIM pack until the registration has been completed successfully.

Network quality can differ by neighborhood. Someone living in Lekki may have a different experience from a person living in Ikeja, Victoria Island, Yaba or Abuja. Ask neighbors or colleagues which network works best where you will spend most of your time.

Some of the common network providers are such as MTN, Glo, Airtel and others.

NIN and identity requirements

The National Identification Number, commonly called NIN, is Nigeria’s national identity number.

Foreigners who legally reside in Nigeria are expected to obtain one. A short-term tourist or visitor may not need a NIN immediately, but a person who changes to long-term residence or employment will usually need to enroll.

You can begin the pre-enrolment process online, but you will still need to visit an approved centre for biometric capture.

Prepare documents such as:

• Your valid international passport.
• Your residence or work permit, where applicable.
• Your Nigerian phone number.
• Your address and other personal information.
• Any additional documents requested by the enrolment centre.

A NIN may be required when linking your SIM, opening or maintaining certain financial accounts, completing identity checks and accessing other services.

Use only NIMC offices or accredited enrolment partners. Do not hand your passport or biometric information to an unverified person promising instant registration.

Opening and using a bank account

Opening a Nigerian bank account as a foreign national may take more than one visit, so call the bank before going.

Requirements vary between banks and account types, but you may be asked for:

• Your International passport.
• Your Valid visa or residence documentation.
• Your CERPAC, where applicable.
• Your NIN.
• A Bank Verification Number, commonly called BVN.
• Proof Of a Nigerian address.
• Passport Photographs.
• A Nigerian phone number and email address.
• Employment, school or business documents.
• References Or additional compliance documents.

The BVN is the banking industry’s biometric identity number. Once issued, the same BVN is linked to your personal accounts across Nigerian banks.

Ask the bank about:

• Mobile Banking access.
• Debit Card collection.
• Transfer Limits.
• International Card use.
• Foreign Currency or domiciliary accounts.
• Charges For transfers, cards and account maintenance.
• Documents Needed to update your address or immigration status later.

Keep your registered phone number active because many banking actions rely on SMS alerts or one-time passwords.

Housing, transport and day-to-day setup

Housing decisions can shape your entire experience in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos.

Before paying for a property:

• Inspect The property in person or through someone you trust.
• Verify The landlord, agent and ownership documents.
• Ask For the full cost, not only the advertised rent e.g service charge, agency fees, legal fees.
• Confirm Water, electricity, security and internet arrangements.
• Test The commute during normal working hours.
• Request Written agreements and receipts for every payment.
• Avoid Sending large payments because someone says another tenant is waiting.

Families should consider proximity to schools, hospitals and grocery stores. Students may benefit from living close to campus or along a reliable transport route. Employees should calculate the commute to work before choosing a neighbourhood.

For transport:

• Use Recognised ride-hailing services or trusted drivers.
• Check The vehicle and driver details before entering.
• Share Your journey details with someone you know.
• Avoid Displaying large amounts of cash or expensive devices unnecessarily.
• Leave Extra time for traffic, especially when travelling to the airport or an important meeting.
• Ask A local colleague about routes and neighbourhoods before travelling somewhere unfamiliar.

Nigeria has a strong digital payment culture, but keeping a modest amount of cash can still be useful for small shops, markets, parking and unexpected situations.

Business visits versus lawful work authorization

A business visit is not the same as employment.

Nigeria’s business visa may cover activities such as:

• Meetings.
• Conferences.
• Contract Negotiations.
• Sales And marketing discussions.
• Trade Fairs.
• Procurement.
• Job Interviews.

It does not normally permit a foreign national to take up employment in Nigeria.

A specialist entering Nigeria to install equipment, carry out repairs, train employees, perform a technical audit or complete another short-term skilled assignment may require a Temporary Work Permit.

Longer-term employees usually need an employment and residence route connected to their Nigerian employer, the employer’s expatriate quota and the appropriate immigration category.

Before an employee travels, the employer should be able to answer:

• What Will the person do in Nigeria?
• How Long will the assignment last?
• Which Nigerian entity is sponsoring the person?
• Does The company hold the required expatriate quota position?
• Which Visa and work authorization apply?
• What Must be completed before travel?
• What Must be renewed during the assignment?

Using a visit or business visa for employment can create compliance problems for both the individual and the employer.

CERPAC and longer-term residence

CERPAC is the residence permit and identity document used by many foreign nationals who live, work or study in Nigeria.

It may apply to:

• Employees.
• Students.
• Dependants.
• Investors.
• Certain Business owners.
• Other Eligible long-term residents.

Nigeria now operates an e-CERPAC platform for eligible immigration categories. Because procedures and document requirements can change, confirm the correct process before travelling, beginning employment or submitting a renewal.

For an employee, the application may involve:

• A Valid passport.
• The Correct employment visa.
• An Employment contract.
• The Employer’s application and acceptance of immigration responsibility.
• Expatriate Quota documentation.
• Educational And professional qualifications.
• Biometrics.
• Payment Of applicable government fees.
• Additional Security or professional documents where required.

Keep a clear record of your passport expiry, visa expiry, CERPAC expiry and any dependant permits.

Do not wait until the final week to begin a renewal. Employers should maintain a shared compliance calendar covering every expatriate and dependant.

Emergency contacts and trusted official resources

Save important numbers before you need them.

For emergencies in Lagos:

• Call 112 or 767 for Lagos State emergency support.
• Contact Your embassy or high commission if your passport is lost, stolen or damaged.
• Speak To your insurer or preferred hospital about urgent medical care.
• Use The FAAN customer service desk for airport assistance or lost property.
• Contact The Nigeria Immigration Service for visa, landing card or residence-permit support.

Trusted official resources include:

• Nigeria Immigration Service.
• Federal Ministry of Interior.
• Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
• National Identity Management Commission.
• Nigerian Communications Commission.
• Central Bank of Nigeria.
• Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
• Lagos State Government.
• Your Embassy or high commission in Nigeria.

Save digital and printed copies of your passport, visa, residence permit, insurance and emergency contacts. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

For individuals coming to or living in Nigeria

Your experience will be much easier when your immigration status matches what you are actually doing in the country.

Before making travel, work or relocation plans, consider:

• Whether Your visa permits the intended activity.
• How Long you plan to stay.
• Whether You need a NIN, BVN or CERPAC.
• Which Documents your spouse or children require.
• When Your current permission expires.
• What Needs to be completed before you begin work or study.
• Who You will contact if the process becomes delayed.

Odyssey helps individuals understand and manage Nigerian immigration applications, renewals and residence requirements.

Need help with your Nigerian immigration process? Speak with Odyssey before you apply, travel or renew.

For employers bringing foreign nationals to Nigeria

Immigration is not only the employee’s responsibility.

HR, legal, finance and operations teams should confirm:

• The Correct visa and work-authorisation route.
• The Availability and validity of expatriate quota positions.
• Each Employee’s passport, visa and CERPAC expiry date.
• The Status of accompanying dependants.
• Government And professional-document requirements.
• Renewal Timelines and internal approval responsibilities.
• The Total official and professional cost of each process.
• Who Is responsible for updating the employee.

Odyssey helps employers coordinate work permits, expatriate quota, CERPAC, renewals and recurring immigration compliance through one structured process.

Managing foreign employees in Nigeria? Speak with Odyssey about building a clearer and more reliable immigration process for your team.

Last reviewed: July 2026.

Immigration requirements can change. Confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority or a qualified immigration professional before acting.