Nigeria Visa for U.S. Citizens: eVisa & Application (2026)

Your two routes

Online pre-approval (most common): apply on the Nigeria Immigration Service portal, pay, and receive an approval letter by email — present it on arrival at Lagos or Abuja and the visa is issued at the airport.

Embassy visa: submit your passport to the Nigerian embassy in DC or consulates (New York, Atlanta) — takes 5-10 business days but lands you a stamped visa before departure, the safer option for tight schedules.

What you'll need

• Passport valid 6+ months beyond travel dates
• Completed online application + payment receipt
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate (checked at immigration — non-negotiable)
• Hotel booking or letter of invitation from a Nigerian host
• Return/onward ticket

Costs and timing

U.S. citizens pay reciprocity fees — expect ~$160-180 for single entry tourist visas. Processing online is typically 2-7 business days; the embassy route takes 5-10. Apply at least 3 weeks before travel to be safe.

On the ground

Abuja and Lagos are straightforward for business/tourism with hotel security. The State Department advisory varies sharply by region — the northeast and parts of the northwest carry do-not-travel warnings. Register with STEP.