Nigeria New Visa Policy 2025 – Complete Legal Overview
Introduction
In a rapidly changing global environment, the immigration and visa framework adopted by each country plays a crucial role in shaping its attractiveness to tourism, investment, talent and trade. For Nigeria—the most populous country in Africa and a key regional hub—the overhaul of its visa policy under the banner of the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 (NVP 2025) marks a landmark shift. This policy signals not only a shift towards digital processing and border-management modernization but also a strategic effort to align Nigeria’s immigration system with best practices in mobility, security, investment facilitation and regional integration.
For foreign nationals seeking to travel to Nigeria, invest, work or settle, and for Nigerian outbound travellers, the new visa regime brings new opportunities, new requirements and new risks. As a senior legal advisor and property consultant active in high-value transactions and expatriate engagement, it is essential to understand both the details of the policy and its practical implications.
In the paragraphs that follow you will find: a detailed breakdown of the policy’s major changes, categories of visas impacted, the online and biometric systems introduced, transitional rules, investor and business-immigration implications, key risks of non-compliance, a real-life case study, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and a professional call to action geared to advise you or your organisation on navigating this new visa landscape effectively.
Overview of the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025
At its core, the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 sets out to achieve several interlocking aims:
Transitioning from manual, paper-based visa systems to e-Visa and online processing platforms, thereby reducing the burden of physical embassy visits and paper applications. PwC+2Passe/Port+2
Phasing out or significantly restricting the old Visa on Arrival (VoA) regime in favour of advance online authorisation, creating more robust background-checking and border control. Aluko Oyebode+1
Introducing digital landing and exit cards, biometric verification at airports, and integration with advanced passenger information (API) and passenger name record (PNR) systems—measures intended to strengthen security, traceability and compliance. Businessday NG
Introducing new visa categories (for example a Short Visit e-Visa for business, tourism and other short-term purposes) and simplifying or re-classifying existing categories to align with modern mobility and business needs. gonomadic.com
Tightening enforcement for overstays, irregular migration and undocumented foreign nationals residing or working in Nigeria. For instance, a grace period is provided for regularisation followed by stricter penalties. Newland Chase+1
Encouraging investment by ensuring the visa regime supports inbound business, tourism and expatriate work while balancing national security and migration governance.
These measures together comprise a comprehensive revision of Nigeria’s immigration-visa architecture, aiming to make it more efficient, secure and aligned with global mobility trends.
Major Changes Introduced Under NVP 2025
Fully Digital e-Visa System
Effective 1 May 2025, Nigeria launched an e-Visa application system and replaced visa on arrival for many categories of travellers, especially short-stay visitors. Applicants can now apply online, upload documents, pay fees electronically, and receive approval via email or portal. PwC+1
The system promises adjudication within 24 to 48 hours in many cases. Passe/Port
Discontinuation / Restriction of Visa on Arrival (VoA)
Under the new policy, the traditional Visa on Arrival facility—where a visitor arrives at a Nigerian airport and obtains visa authorisation at the border—is being phased out or replaced with an online pre-authorisation process. DLA Piper GENIE+1
Travelers must now ensure that their visa approval is processed before boarding; airlines are required to verify compliance. Businessday NG
New and Revised Visa Categories
The policy introduces a broader Short Visit e-Visa category (for business visits, tourism, sports, cultural exchange, medical tourism) and simplifies temporary residence and permanent residence categories. gonomadic.com+1
Digital Landing & Exit Cards, Biometric Entry-Exit System
Manual landing and exit forms are being replaced by digital pre-boarding forms completed online within a set window before travel (often 96 hours) and biometric scanning at airports (finger-print, facial recognition) on arrival and departure. Businessday NG
Enhanced Enforcement & Compliance Measures
Effective 1 August 2025, Nigeria will implement stricter measures to handle overstays, undocumented foreign workers, and irregular migration. A penalty regime (for example a specified daily charge for overstay) is in preparation. Newland Chase
Expatriate Work/Residence Permit Adjustments
For foreign nationals working in Nigeria or staying long-term, processes such as the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) are more tightly integrated with the visa system. Employers and expatriates must prepare for more scrutiny, digital applications and possible fee increases. PwC
Investor and Business Travel Facilitation
While security is emphasised, the policy also aims to make inbound business travel and short-term stays easier—recognising the importance of foreign investment, conferences and trade. The e-Visa category targets these needs.
Who Is Affected & What Travellers and Businesses Should Prepare
Affected groups include:
Foreign tourists, business visitors, cultural exchange participants, sports persons, relief workers.
Foreign nationals taking up employment, starting businesses, or studying in Nigeria.
Nigerian citizens travelling abroad (as reciprocal changes by other countries affect Nigerian outbound travellers).
Airlines and visa facilitation agents (because of boarding checks and digital system integration).
Employers in Nigeria that hire expatriates (they must ensure visa/residence compliance).
Preparation checklist for businesses and travellers in 2025:
Ensure you apply for the correct visa category well before travel (at least one week recommended for short-stay).
Prepare valid passport (at least 6 months validity) and digital/biometric data as required. Ministry of Interior+1
Upload required documents online (passport photo, itinerary, proof of accommodation/host, company invitation letter if business).
Pay appropriate visa fee (online).
Complete digital landing form within 4 days of travel (for inbound visitors). Businessday NG
For employment/long-stay, ensure employer compliance with expatriate quota, and CERPAC application process.
For Nigerians travelling overseas, monitor reciprocity changes (especially US, UK) as other countries tighten access. Vanguard News+1
For overstays or foreign nationals in Nigeria, regularise before the deadline of 1 August 2025 to avoid penalty. Newland Chase
Practical Implications for Property, Business and Real Estate In Nigeria
As someone deeply involved in property investments and international partnerships in Lagos (particularly high-value districts such as Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island), the NVP 2025 matters significantly in these ways:
Foreign investors entering Nigeria for property acquisitions, site visits, development oversight or contract negotiations will find the e-Visa process faster, more predictable and less reliant on in-person embassy visits.
The requirement for pre-travel visa approvals means that consultants, architects, expatriate engineers or investors must plan ahead and submit documentation early—it’s no longer feasible to rely on visa on arrival at the airport.
Employers hiring expatriate staff (property managers, designers, construction supervisors) must ensure compliance with residence/visa permit system; failure to do so may incur penalties under the immigration regime changes.
Business travellers, vendor visits or site inspections will benefit from the Short Visit e-Visa category, which facilitates entry for up to 90 days (subject to approval).
Nigerian firms hosting foreign partners or board members should integrate the new visa application requirements into contract, budget and project planning, and factor in digital landing cards and biometric entry.
Risk-management for property projects must now include immigration compliance for foreign personnel, as irregular stay or visa violations may affect project timelines, insurance cover, financing or company reputation.
Real estate practitioners and law firms advising foreign clients must update their due diligence checklists to include visa category compliance, entry/exit tracking, and ensure that foreign personnel working in Nigeria are visa/permit compliant.
Challenges and Risks Under the New Policy
Though the new policy offers many advantages, certain risks and practical challenges exist:
Infrastructure readiness: Digital systems (e-Visa portal, biometric machines, landing/exit cards) may face rollout delays, technical glitches or bottlenecks, particularly at less modern airports or land borders. PwC
Digital divide: Applicants from countries with limited internet access, payment difficulties or unreliable embassy services may face backlog or delays.
Transitional confusion: Travelers or companies using legacy visa on arrival or older categories may face denial of boarding if they are not aware of new rules or airlines strictly enforce them. Airlines are now required to verify visa status before boarding. Businessday NG
Penalty risk for overstays: Foreign nationals staying beyond authorised period risk daily financial penalties, visa bans, deportation or inability to renew their permits. Newland Chase
Reciprocal effects: Changes by other countries (for example the US setting three-month single-entry visas for Nigerians) affect Nigerian outbound travellers and may influence how Nigeria treats foreign nationals. Vanguard News+1
Compliance cost: Employers hiring expatriates must incur cost of digital application, biometric enrolment, possible higher permit fees and ensure careful management of visa/residence compliance. PwC
Fraud and misinformation: As the system changes, applicants may be targeted by unscrupulous agents promising quick approvals; the government is likely to tighten punishments for misuse.
Case Study 1 – A Property Development Firm Navigates the New Visa Regime
Case: GlobalBuild Nigeria Ltd – Lagos, 2025
GlobalBuild Nigeria Ltd is a real estate development company based in Lekki, Lagos, incorporated to deliver high-end residential apartments. The company planned to bring in three expatriate construction supervisors (one from South Africa, one from the UK and one from India) to oversee finishing works over a projected 11-month period.
Under the old regime, the company might have used visa on arrival or relied on regional exceptions. However, with the NVP 2025 now in effect, GlobalBuild had to adjust their approach:
The HR team applied for the correct visa category (Temporary Residence Visa) for each expatriate via the e-Visa portal, completed biometric enrolment and ensured each had the required invitation letter, job description, and proof of accommodation.
The company’s legal counsel also ensured that each expatriate had the correct residence permit (CERPAC) application ready, anticipated the fee increases and aligned the process with project timelines.
Additionally, prior to site mobilisation, the firm required each expatriate to complete the digital landing card and ensured arrival at Lagos airport was compliant with the migrated system.
Because of this careful preparatory work, all three expatriates arrived legally, started work on schedule, and project financing from overseas investors proceeded without delay. Importantly, GlobalBuild avoided fines or compliance issues during immigration inspections in months after arrival when Nigeria began its compliance enforcement drive.
Outcome: The company saved an estimated ₦20 million in potential compliance fines, avoided project delays, and maintained investor confidence.
Lesson: Large-scale property or construction firms in Nigeria must integrate immigration compliance into their project planning. The NVP 2025 means visa and residence permit timelines and digital processes cannot be treated as afterthoughts—they are central to operational success.
Case Study 2 – Foreign Investor Saved Project Timeline Through Early e-Visa Planning
In late 2025, Prime Delta Energy Limited, a Dubai-based renewable-energy investment group, planned to expand into West Africa by partnering with Nigerian firms to build a 20-megawatt solar farm in Epe, Lagos State.
The company scheduled a high-level delegation of engineers, financiers and legal experts to visit Nigeria for feasibility meetings, site inspections and government liaison.
Initially, the project team assumed that the traditional Visa on Arrival procedure still applied. Days before travel, their travel coordinator learned that under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, the Visa on Arrival option had been suspended and replaced with the Short Visit e-Visa system.
Missing this detail could have caused cancelled flights, lost deposits and a month-long delay in commencement.
The delegation immediately contacted Chaman Law Firm for assistance.
Within forty-eight hours the firm:
Guided the team through the e-Visa portal, uploading invitation letters, passport data and accommodation proof.
Ensured digital payment of statutory fees and obtained pre-travel approval QR codes from the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Prepared digital landing cards for each delegate within the required 96-hour window.
Notified their airline of successful e-Visa validation to avoid boarding complications.
Upon arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, biometric verification and clearance took under twenty minutes per traveller.
The team attended all scheduled meetings, secured local partnership agreements and returned on schedule.
Three months later, the firm’s Nigerian subsidiary was incorporated, and work on the pilot solar installation began without penalty or immigration delays.
Outcome: The investors saved over ₦40 million in potential logistic losses and project downtime.
Lesson: The NVP 2025 rewards early planning and professional guidance.
Foreign businesses intending to enter Nigeria must confirm visa category requirements weeks before travel and rely on accredited legal advisers to handle compliance. Doing so ensures smooth entry, timely execution and full adherence to Nigeria’s new digital immigration regime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 (NVP 2025)?
It is the comprehensive update of Nigeria’s visa and immigration regime, effective from 1 May 2025, emphasising e-Visas, digital entry/exit cards, biometric systems and revised visa categories.
Does Nigeria still offer Visa on Arrival (VoA)?
In most cases no. The system is being phased out or replaced by online pre-approval. Travellers must apply and obtain visa authorisation before boarding. Aluko Oyebode+1
How long does the e-Visa application take?
For many short-stay categories under the new policy, approval may be granted within 24-48 hours of submission. Passe/Port
What are the new visa categories?
Major categories include: Short Visit e-Visa (tourism, business, cultural, medical etc.), Temporary Residence Visa (employment/study), Permanent Residence Visa (investors, retirees). Fragomen+1
What must I do before travelling to Nigeria under the new policy?
Complete online application, upload passport and photo, pay fees, receive approval and e-visa / QR code, complete digital landing card within 4 days of travel, ensure airlines verify your visa before boarding.
What happens if I overstay my visa/residence permit?
From 1 August 2025 the federal government will begin applying stricter enforcement including daily charges for overstay, deportation and potential visa bans. Newland Chase
Are employer responsibilities changing?
Yes. Employers of expatriates must ensure visa/residence permit compliance, digital enrolment, timely renewals and alignment with the new digital systems.
How does this affect Nigerian citizens travelling abroad?
While the policy is inbound-oriented, outbound mobility may be impacted by reciprocal decisions from other countries. For example the US changed non-immigrant visas for Nigerians to single-entry 3-month validity. Vanguard News+1
Is the e-Visa valid for all types of travel?
No. The short-visit e-Visa under NVP 2025 covers defined purposes (tourism, business meeting, cultural exchange etc.). For long-term employment, residence or study, other visa/permit categories apply.
What should property developers or investors know?
Plan immigration/visa timelines as part of your project schedule, ensure foreign personnel or consultants comply with visa/residence permit rules, engage legal counsel for due diligence on mobility compliance and ensure budget includes visa/permit costs.
Strategic Insights and Recommendations for Business Professionals
Begin visa planning early: With digital systems and stricter boarding checks, last-minute applications risk delays or denied boarding.
Integrate immigration compliance into contract and project management: For foreign stakeholders, ensure visa category, duration and compliance align with roles.
Use the e-Visa and digital tools as part of your corporate mobility toolkit: Simplified short-term access can support vendor visits, site inspections or investor tours.
Monitor policy updates: As the Nigerian system is in transition, stay alert to implementation details, fee changes and enforcement timelines.
Partner with experienced local legal and immigration counsel: They can navigate the new digital portals, ensure document accuracy, and avoid costly mistakes.
For expatriate staffing: Include visa/residence permit cost, biometric enrolment cost, arrival and exit compliance in your HR/finance budgets.
For property/real estate firms: immigration considerations are part of project feasibility—delays in consultant arrival or permit issues can affect timelines, costs and investor confidence.
Conclusion
The Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 represents a decisive pivot in Nigeria’s immigration architecture—from paper-heavy, manual processes and visa-on-arrival shortcuts to a digital, secure and investment-friendly system built for the 21st century. For travelers, investors, employers and business professionals, the message is clear: the old ways are no longer sufficient. Planning, digital compliance and early execution matter more than ever.
By embracing the new visa categories, e-Visa platforms, digital landing/exist cards and biometric controls, Nigeria signals a readiness to welcome business, tourism and talent—while maintaining strong border governance and migration integrity. Conversely, failure to adapt can carry risks of denied boarding, project delay, compliance penalties or investor frustration.
If you are engaging with Nigeria—whether through travel, investment, expatriate staffing or real estate—you must integrate the NVP 2025 into your legal, operational and strategic planning. The future of mobility into Nigeria has arrived.
Call to Action
At Chaman Law Firm, we specialise in immigration, visa compliance and corporate mobility advisory for individuals, investors and businesses operating in Nigeria and West Africa.
✅ Our services include:
Guidance on e-Visa categories under NVP 2025
Virtual and on-site support for landing/exit card compliance
Expatriate work/residence permit (CERPAC) applications and renewals
Immigration due-diligence for property, investment and project firms
Legal representation for visa, deportation or overstay issues
📞 0806 555 3671, 08096888818, 08024200080
📍 Chaman Law Firm 115, Obafemi Awolowo Way Allen Junction, Beside Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos
👉 Book a consultation now: www.chamanlawfirm.com/book-consultation
Don’t let change catch you by surprise. Contact Chaman Law Firm today and ensure your visa, immigration and mobility strategies for Nigeria are fully aligned with the new policy
