Consular services

Visa & Passport Services

Find the right Nigerian visa, check which documents you need, and apply directly on the official Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portals. Nigerians in Pakistan can renew their standard passport through the contactless NIS self-enrolment app.

Find your visa ↓ Passport renewal

Visas

Visa types, documents and how to apply

Passports

Contactless renewal for Nigerians in Pakistan

Landing Card

Required before you travel to Nigeria

Need help?

Contacts and application assistance

How it works

Your journey to Nigeria in five steps

Choose your visa

Pick the visa that matches the purpose of your trip from the list below.

Apply online

Fill in the form on the official NIS portal and upload your documents.

Pay online

Pay the visa fee on the portal. Keep your payment receipt and application slip.

Appear in person

Embassy (sticker) visas: pay the admin fee and come to the High Commission in Islamabad with your passport and documents. e-Visas are issued online.

Landing Card

Once your visa is approved, complete the Landing Card at least 24 hours before you travel.

Visa types

Which visa do I need?

Select a category, then open a visa type to see who it is for, the documents you need, and where to apply.

Required for every visa

In addition to the documents for your visa type

Yellow fever vaccination card
Police character certificate
Invitation letter that clearly states the host accepts full Immigration Responsibility for you
Hotel reservation, which is not needed if your host's invitation letter says they will provide your accommodation

Short visits of up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits and events. You apply and pay fully online, and the visa is issued electronically.

Apply for e-Visa ↗

Tourism

Sightseeing and leisure

Single entry · 30 days

Documents

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Return ticket
Hotel booking or proof of accommodation
Recent bank statement
Minors: birth certificate and parental consent

Good to know

Cannot be extended. No work allowed.

Apply ↗

Business (Single Entry)

Meetings, conferences, trade fairs, negotiations, job interviews

Single entry · 30 days

Documents

Valid passport
Invitation letter from a Nigerian company
Host company's CAC registration certificate
Proof of accommodation
Return ticket

Good to know

Cannot be extended. Does not allow paid employment.

Apply ↗

Business (Multiple Entry)

For nationals of countries that offer Nigerians the same privilege

Multiple · 30 days per visit

Documents

Valid passport
Invitation letter
Host company's CAC certificate
Proof of return travel

Good to know

Available on a reciprocal basis only.

Apply ↗

Frequent Business Traveller

Investors committing at least USD 250,000 in Nigeria

1 year · multiple entry

Documents

Proof of investment from a recognised agency
Invitation letter
Host company's CAC documents
Confirmed travel itinerary

Good to know

Up to 30 days per visit.

Apply ↗

Visiting (Family & Friends)

Visiting relatives or friends in Nigeria

Single entry · 30 days

Documents

Invitation letter from your host
Host's Nigerian passport or residence permit
Proof of funds
Return ticket
Minors: birth certificate and parental consent

Good to know

Cannot be extended.

Apply ↗

Transit

Passing through Nigeria to another country

1–7 days

Documents

Valid passport
Onward ticket
Proof of funds
Visa for your final destination, if required

Good to know

If you stay inside the airport for less than 48 hours, you may not need a visa (Transit Without Visa).

Apply ↗

Events: Sports, Creative Arts, Cultural Exchange

Athletes, performers, artists and cultural delegations

Up to 30 days

Documents

Invitation from the event organiser
Endorsement from the relevant sports or cultural body, where required
Proof of funds and return ticket
Cultural exchange: official exchange documents

Good to know

Cannot be extended.

Apply ↗

Study Tour & Academic Exchange

Students, scholars and lecturers on short programmes

30–90 days

Documents

Invitation or acceptance letter from a Nigerian institution
Academic credentials or proof of enrolment
Proof of funds
Return ticket

Good to know

Study tours last up to 30 days. Academic exchanges allow up to 90 days, single entry.

Apply ↗

Nigerians by Birth with Foreign Passports

Social or business visits

Up to 30 days

Documents

Foreign passport
Proof of Nigerian heritage, such as a birth certificate or parents' documents

Good to know

No paid work allowed.

Apply ↗

Emergency / Relief Work

Urgent humanitarian or relief missions

30 days

Documents

Letter from a government agency or NGO
Return ticket
Proof of accommodation

Good to know

May be extended in some cases.

Apply ↗

Sticker visas issued by the High Commission in Islamabad. Apply and pay the visa fee online, then come to the High Commission in person with your passport, printed slips and documents. Appearing in person is mandatory.

Diplomatic or official passport
Note verbale from your Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Good to know

No work and no extension.

Apply ↗

For working, studying or living in Nigeria for up to 2 years (renewable). Most work visas need approval before you apply. After arrival, residents get a CERPAC residence card.

Apply on Visa Portal ↗

Temporary Work Permit (TWP)

Experts doing installation, maintenance, repairs or training

90 days / 6 months

Documents

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Passport photo on a white background
Offer letter from the Nigerian employer
Company registration documents
Pre-approval (Visa Authority Letter) from the Comptroller General of Immigration

Good to know

The 6-month TWP allows multiple entries but cannot be renewed. You may only work on the approved project.

Apply on TWP Portal ↗

Employment (Expatriate)

Foreign staff hired under an approved Expatriate Quota

2 years, renewable

Documents

Employment letter
Expatriate Quota approval
Academic and professional credentials

Good to know

Employers manage Expatriate Quota on the Ministry of Interior's C&B portal. Expatriate employment visas are issued together with an e-CERPAC.

Apply ↗Expatriate Quota (C&B) ↗

Employment: Free Zone, Government, INGO, Cleric

Other employment categories

2 years, renewable

Documents

Employment contract or offer letter
Free Zone: clearance from the Free Zone authority
Government: employing agency accepts Immigration Responsibility
INGO: MOU with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning
Cleric: Visa Authority Letter

Good to know

Typically a 90-day entry, followed by a 2-year residence permit.

Apply ↗

Student

Full-time study at an approved Nigerian institution

1 year, renewable

Documents

Admission letter
Proof of financial support
Medical insurance, where applicable
Proof of accommodation

Good to know

Renewed each year based on enrolment. Paid work is not allowed unless authorised.

Apply ↗

Intern

Internships and practical training

Up to 1 year

Documents

Formal internship offer or training agreement
Proof of funds
Proof of accommodation
Host accepts Immigration Responsibility

Good to know

May be renewable.

Apply ↗

Accredited Diplomat

Diplomats officially posted to Nigeria

2 years, renewable

Documents

Diplomatic passport
Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Good to know

Processed through official diplomatic channels.

Apply ↗

For long-term residence in Nigeria: spouses of Nigerians, investors, highly skilled professionals and retirees.

Apply on Visa Portal ↗

Spouse of a Nigerian Citizen

Foreign husbands and wives of Nigerians

Permanent

Documents

Valid marriage certificate
Proof of your spouse's Nigerian citizenship
Documents showing the relationship

Good to know

Employment may be allowed with authorisation. CERPAC is free for spouses of Nigerians.

Apply ↗

Investor

Small, medium, large, ultra-large and oil, gas and power sector

Permanent

Documents

Company registration
Business plan
Proof of capital or funds meeting the threshold for your tier
Large companies: audited financial statements
Energy sector: relevant industry licences

Good to know

Renewal depends on the business staying active and compliant. Business permits are issued on the Ministry of Interior's C&B portal.

Apply ↗Business Permit (C&B) ↗

Highly Skilled Immigrant

Technology, healthcare, engineering, academia and other specialist fields

Permanent

Documents

Proof of specialist qualifications or achievements
Often a sponsoring employer or government endorsement

Good to know

Assessed case by case.

Apply ↗

Retirement

Retirees already in Nigeria, or relocating from abroad

Permanent

Documents

Proof of stable retirement income
Proof of accommodation in Nigeria
Health insurance (strongly recommended)

Good to know

No paid work allowed.

Apply ↗

Former Nigerians by Birth (and spouses)

Nigerians by birth who renounced citizenship

Residence

Documents

Proof of former Nigerian status, such as a birth certificate
Renunciation documents
Valid passport

Good to know

Employment is generally limited.

Apply ↗

Before you fly

Landing & Exit Card

24 hrs before travel

Once your visa is approved, complete the online Landing Card at least 24 hours before your flight to Nigeria. Use the same portal for the Exit Card when you leave.

Fill Landing / Exit Card ↗

Choose Arrival (Landing Card) or Departure (Exit Card).
Select your passport type: ECOWAS, Visa Free/Exemption, Development Organisation, or Other.
Enter your passport or visa number and personal details exactly as they appear on your documents.
Give a working email and phone number, because updates are sent there.
Review and submit, then print your confirmation to show at the airport.

For Nigerian citizens

Passport renewal (contactless)

The High Commission in Islamabad currently offers renewal of standard e-passports only. You renew through the contactless NIS self-enrolment mobile app and capture your own fingerprints on your phone.

Not available in Islamabad at the moment:

Fresh (first-time) passports
Official and diplomatic passports
Biometric appointments at the High Commission. There is no biometric machine yet, so please don't book a passport biometric appointment in Islamabad.

Important: processing location

Because there is no biometric machine in Islamabad yet, select these in your application:

Processing country: United Arab Emirates
Processing embassy: Embassy of Nigeria, Abu Dhabi

How to renew

Adults with an existing Nigerian standard passport

Standard e-passport

Steps

Download the official NIS mobile app (Google Play or App Store) or open the passport portal
Create a profile with a valid email address
Complete the eligibility check
Enter your NIN and current passport number
Choose United Arab Emirates and Embassy of Nigeria, Abu Dhabi
Fill in your details, upload documents and capture your fingerprints on your phone
Review, submit and pay online

Documents to upload

NIN slip
Birth certificate
Local government (state of origin) certificate
Data page of your current passport

Start renewal ↗

How you receive your new passport

1Produced in NigeriaYour passport is printed by NIS in Nigeria.

2Sent to Abu DhabiIt is sent directly to the Embassy of Nigeria in Abu Dhabi.

3Forwarded to IslamabadThe High Commission arranges delivery from Abu Dhabi to Islamabad.

4Delivered to youThe High Commission contacts you to deliver your passport.

Residence, work & verification

Other official portals

Residence card

CERPAC

A residence permit and alien card for foreigners living in Nigeria for a year or more: workers, business owners, students, dependants and retirees. You apply online, then give biometrics at an NIS office in Nigeria. Fees: USD 2,000 for employed foreigners, USD 600 for students, and free for spouses of Nigerians.

Learn more ↗

Before arrival

e-CERPAC

For expatriate employees (R2A) and Free Zone employees (R3A). Processed before you travel, so you don't need to regularise your status after arrival.

Learn more ↗

Short-term work

Temporary Work Permit

Open TWP portal ↗

Ministry of Interior

Citizenship & Business

Business permits, Expatriate Quota, Nigerian citizenship, Federal marriage certificates and licences for places of worship.

Open C&B portal ↗

Verification

NIS eVerify

The Nigeria Immigration Service's online verification service.

Open eVerify ↗

Track

Check e-Visa status

Already applied? Check the progress of your e-Visa application.

Check status ↗

Contact the High Commission

Questions about your application?

Visavisa@nigeriahcislamabad.com

Passport & consularconsular@nigeriahcislamabad.com

Phone(+92) 51 2832194

Important: Official fees are paid only on the official immigration.gov.ng portals and into the High Commission account shown above. Using an agent is optional. Your visa outcome depends only on your application and documents.

Visa & passport assistance

Prefer not to apply on your own? An independent agent can guide you or prepare your visa or passport application.

+92 311 4888878

Chat on WhatsApp

This is an independent private service. It is not run by the Nigeria Immigration Service. Any service charges are agreed directly between you and the agent.