Nigeria Travel Guide

Nigeria — Passport and Visa Information

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Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Other EU	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
British	Yes	Yes	Yes

Passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of departure required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided they hold valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport, except for nationals of the USA who require a transit visa.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy/high commission to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Visa Note

In addition to normal visa requirements, application for visa by minors should be accompanied with the following: Full Birth Certificate plus a photocopy of same showing names of parents, letter of consent from parents and photocopies of parents' passports.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist: Single-entry, (3 months) £70. Business: single-entry, (6 months) £100. Multiple-entry tourist and busniess visas: £100 (6 months), £250 (1 year), £300 (2 years). All applications are subject to a £20 processing fee. Fees apply to British passport holders. Other nationalities are advised to check with appropriate consulate/embassy.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Important Addresses.

Application Requirements

Letter of invitation from Nigeria, addressed to Visa Section, Nigeria High Commission, London, accepting full immigration/evidence of sustaining self while in Nigeria should be included in application. This should be in a form of traveler's checks to be cashed in Nigeria.

Working Days Required

Visas generally take four to six days to process. An optional express service is available which takes 24 hours and costs an additional £50.

Travel Warnings

There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria.

In July 2009 violent clashes took place between militants and security forces in some parts of Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Yobe and Katsina States. In February 2010 there were violent disturbance in Sokoto and Kazaure in Jigawa State. If you are traveling in northern Nigeria you should take extra precautions and avoid crowds. Violence could erupt quickly and without warning.

Travelers are advised against all but essential travel to Jos and Plateau State. Serious civil unrest is ongoing in Jos and surrounding districts. Though there is a heavy security presence, communal tensions are high and there are reports of vigilante mobs. There is a curfew in force between 18.00 and 06.00.

It is advised against all travel to the Niger Delta (Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, including Port Harcourt) and to riverine areas of Cross River State. This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas.

Since January 2006, 36 British nationals, (including one child), and more than 180 other foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area, with one British national being killed. On 10 August 2007, a British national was abducted from his car when driving to work in Port Harcourt. On 21 October 2007, in a violent armed attack on an offshore support vessel, three expatriates were abducted. On 27 September 2007, an oil company compound outside Port Harcourt was attacked. One Colombian oil worker was killed and two other expatriates kidnapped.

The high risk of kidnappings and other armed attacks in the Niger Delta applies also to ships and oil rigs at sea off the coast of the Delta. In 2007, there has been an increase in attacks offshore.

There is also a risk of kidnapping in other states in southeast Nigeria. On 17 March 2007, two Chinese nationals were abducted at Nnewi, Anambra State.

Visitors are advised against all travel to riverine areas of Cross River State (i.e. the river and swamp locations on or close to, the coast accessible only by boat, but not by road). They are also advised against all but essential travel to Akwa Ibom State because of the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks. Since 30 December 2007, a curfew (1800 - 0600) has been in place in the Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State.

It is advised that the security situation in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States makes them unsafe for visitors and it is therefore advised for visitors to leave. If you stay, you do so at your own risk and should take professional security advice.

There was a further round of gang related violence in Port Harcourt on 16 August, with incidents across the city. Since 17 August 2007, the Nigerian authorities have imposed a night time curfew on the city. On 1 January 2008, there were nineteen reported fatalities in Port Harcourt when armed militants attacked two police stations and a hotel.

It is advised against all but essential travel to Akwa Ibom State because of the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks. Visitors should maintain a high level of vigilance at all times, observe the strictest security measures and not travel unnecessarily. If traveling by road you should use fully protected transport.

Local government elections are currently being held across Nigeria. Visitors should avoid large gatherings of people, as these can sometimes turn violent. Localised outbreaks of civil unrest can occur at short notice.

The most common problem for travelers is scam artists trying to extract money.

Violent crime is prevalent in the south of the country, including Lagos.

Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Nigeria have resulted in one human fatality. As a precaution, it is advised to avoid live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

The government-provided health care facilities are of a poor standard and are subject to shortages of drugs, equipment, materials and even electricity. It is advisable to take a sufficient supply of drugs or medication to meet personal needs. However, there are some adequate private facilities where the standards approach those of Europe. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Medical insurance is essential.