How to apply for a Nigeria Business Visa (F4A)

NIS requirements for a short single-entry business visit for meetings, conferences, training, negotiations and similar non-employment activities.

VerifiedChecked 2026-09-28
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CostVaries by nationality
TimelineNIS lists 48 hours for the F4A e-Visa where there is no local objection.
RouteMostly online
AgencyNIS
Checked2026-09-28
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How to get this service

Online, physical or both?

Mostly online
Recommended start

Use the official online route

Obtain an official invitation from the Nigerian host company and the company's CAC registration evidence before starting the visa application. Then open the official NIS visa portal, choose Business Single Entry Visa F4A and complete the applicant, passport and business-visit information.

Physical / assisted stage

No mandatory physical visit is stated in the sources we currently use

The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Open the official NIS visa portal, choose Business Single Entry Visa F4A and complete the applicant, passport and business-visit information.

Find official offices/centres →
If something blocks you

If this specific process gets stuck

Use the Nigeria Immigration Service's official passport office/contact route and keep the application reference and payment evidence ready.

View agency guidance →

Only authorised routes. We never present an unofficial agent, cybercafé or third-party payment page as an alternative unless the responsible agency authorises it.

Documents, details and prerequisites you need

This is the complete pre-start checklist from the verified guide. Each item below explains what it is for, where it enters the process and whether the official source actually specifies an original, copy or upload.

4 Documents1 Other requirement1 Identity / account detail
01
Document

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity

Why you need it
Used to identify the applicant's current passport record or to support the passport transaction described in this guide.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 2: Open the official NIS visa portal, choose Business Single Entry Visa F4A and complete the applicant, passport and business-visit information.
Original, copy or upload?
This is used during the physical stage described in step 2.
02
Document

Recent passport-size photograph

Why you need it
Used to identify the applicant's current passport record or to support the passport transaction described in this guide.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 3: Upload the invitation letter, CAC certificate, passport photograph, return ticket and accommodation or host information requested for F4A.
Original, copy or upload?
A digital upload is explicitly part of step 3. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
03
Document

Official invitation letter from the Nigerian host company

Why you need it
Used as formal written evidence or request where the responsible agency lists a letter among the requirements.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 1: Obtain an official invitation from the Nigerian host company and the company's CAC registration evidence before starting the visa application.
Original, copy or upload?
The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
04
Document

CAC certificate of the inviting company

Why you need it
Used to locate the taxpayer record connected to the transaction.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 1: Obtain an official invitation from the Nigerian host company and the company's CAC registration evidence before starting the visa application.
Original, copy or upload?
The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
05
Other requirement

Evidence of return ticket

Why you need it
This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 3: Upload the invitation letter, CAC certificate, passport photograph, return ticket and accommodation or host information requested for F4A.
Original, copy or upload?
A digital upload is explicitly part of step 3. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
06
Identity / account detail

Hotel reservation or host address in Nigeria

Why you need it
This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 1: Obtain an official invitation from the Nigerian host company and the company's CAC registration evidence before starting the visa application.
Original, copy or upload?
The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow the process in order. Each step also shows what to have ready, what to check before continuing and what evidence to keep. Where the agency does not publish an extra requirement, this guide does not invent one.

01
Documents / upload

Obtain an official invitation from the Nigerian host company and the company's CAC registration evidence before starting the visa application.

Have ready for this step
  • Official invitation letter from the Nigerian host company
  • CAC certificate of the inviting company
  • Evidence of return ticket
Check before moving on

Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.

Keep as evidence

Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.

02
Physical / assisted stage

Open the official NIS visa portal, choose Business Single Entry Visa F4A and complete the applicant, passport and business-visit information.

Have ready for this step
  • Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
  • Recent passport-size photograph
Check before moving on

Confirm the correct office/centre, date or appointment instruction before travelling, and take the originals where the guide or agency explicitly requires them.

Keep as evidence

Keep the appointment, acknowledgement or reference you may need at the physical stage.

03
Documents / upload

Upload the invitation letter, CAC certificate, passport photograph, return ticket and accommodation or host information requested for F4A.

Have ready for this step
  • Official invitation letter from the Nigerian host company
  • Recent passport-size photograph
  • Evidence of return ticket
Check before moving on

Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.

Keep as evidence

Keep the application/reference number, acknowledgement or confirmation generated after submission.

04
Payment

Review the application to ensure the purpose is a permitted short business activity rather than employment, then pay the fee generated by NIS and submit the application.

Have ready for this step

No additional document is specifically tied to this step in the verified guide. Use the full checklist above and follow the official prompt.

Check before moving on

Confirm the service, applicant/entity details and amount on the official payment screen before paying. Do not continue from an unsolicited payment link.

Keep as evidence

Keep the official receipt, payment reference or transaction ID.

05
Follow up

After approval, save the electronic visa certificate or approval letter and carry it with the passport and business invitation when travelling to Nigeria.

Have ready for this step
  • Official invitation letter from the Nigerian host company
  • Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
  • Recent passport-size photograph
Check before moving on

Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.

Keep as evidence

Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.

After you submit

What exactly happens next?

Keep the evidence for Nigeria Business Visa

Keep the application reference, payment receipt, appointment details and any acknowledgement generated by the NIS process.

Complete the final published step

After approval, save the electronic visa certificate or approval letter and carry it with the passport and business invitation when travelling to Nigeria.

Know what counts as completion

NIS lists 48 hours for the F4A e-Visa where there is no local objection.

Escalate with the right reference

Use the Nigeria Immigration Service's official passport office/contact route and keep the application reference and payment evidence ready.

Important notes

  • F4A covers short business activities such as meetings, conferences, seminars, training, contract negotiations, marketing, procurement and job interviews.
  • NIS states that F4A does not permit employment.
  • NIS lists a 90-day visa validity with a 30-day single-entry stay within that validity.

Common questions

These answers are generated from the verified requirements, route, fee, timeline and official-source notes for this specific service.

What should I prepare before I start?

Prepare before you begin by gathering every item below. The detailed checklist above explains why each one is needed, where it is used, and whether the official source specifies an original, copy or upload.

  • Valid passport with at least 6 months validity — Document
  • Recent passport-size photograph — Document
  • Official invitation letter from the Nigerian host company — Document
  • CAC certificate of the inviting company — Document
  • Evidence of return ticket — Other requirement
  • Hotel reservation or host address in Nigeria — Identity / account detail
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?

Mostly online. Obtain an official invitation from the Nigerian host company and the company's CAC registration evidence before starting the visa application. Then open the official NIS visa portal, choose Business Single Entry Visa F4A and complete the applicant, passport and business-visit information.

The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Open the official NIS visa portal, choose Business Single Entry Visa F4A and complete the applicant, passport and business-visit information.

How much does this service cost?

Varies by nationality — The official NIS visa portal calculates the applicable F4A visa fee for the applicant and nationality.

Pay only through the responsible agency or the official payment channel linked in this guide.

How long should it take?

NIS lists 48 hours for the F4A e-Visa where there is no local objection.

Processing can still take longer where identity checks, document corrections, payment confirmation or manual review are required.

What happens after I submit or complete the main step?

Keep the evidence for Nigeria Business Visa: Keep the application reference, payment receipt, appointment details and any acknowledgement generated by the NIS process.

Complete the final published step: After approval, save the electronic visa certificate or approval letter and carry it with the passport and business invitation when travelling to Nigeria.

What should I do if the portal, payment or application gets stuck?

Use the Nigeria Immigration Service's official passport office/contact route and keep the application reference and payment evidence ready.

Keep any application number, receipt, acknowledgement, transaction reference or screenshot that can help the agency trace the request.

What should I be careful about?
  • F4A covers short business activities such as meetings, conferences, seminars, training, contract negotiations, marketing, procurement and job interviews.
  • NIS states that F4A does not permit employment.
How do I verify that these instructions are current?

This guide was last checked on 2026-09-28. The official government or agency sources used to verify it are listed directly below this section.

Where an agency changes a fee, deadline or procedure, the official source takes priority over this independent guide.

Is MyNigeriaGuide the government website for this service?

No. MyNigeriaGuide is an independent information service. Applications, payments, approvals and final decisions remain with the responsible government agency.

Official sources

These are the government or agency pages used to verify this guide. Open them directly whenever you want to confirm the source.

Accuracy

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