How Nigeria's Landing and Exit Card portal works

The Nigeria Immigration Service online arrival and departure card process for foreigners entering or leaving Nigeria.

VerifiedChecked 2026-09-28
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CostFREE
TimelineThe official portal says processing is instant after valid details are submitted and the traveller meets the requirements.
RouteMostly online
AgencyNIS
Checked2026-09-28
My Process

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How to get this service

Online, physical or both?

Mostly online
Recommended start

Use the official online route

Open the official NIS Landing and Exit Card portal and choose Arrival for a Landing Card or Departure for an Exit Card. Then enter the traveller's valid visa or passport number and complete the personal and contact information exactly as it appears on the travel documents.

Physical / assisted stage

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

The current sources for Landing / Exit Card do not state a compulsory walk-in stage for the standard route.

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.

1 Other requirement2 Documents1 Identity / account detail
01
Other requirement

A foreign traveller entering or departing Nigeria who is covered by the NIS portal

Why you need it
Used to locate the taxpayer record connected to the transaction.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 1: Open the official NIS Landing and Exit Card portal and choose Arrival for a Landing Card or Departure for an Exit Card.
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.
02
Document

A valid visa or passport number accepted by the portal

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: Enter the traveller's valid visa or passport number and complete the personal and contact information exactly as it appears on the travel documents.
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.
03
Document

Personal details that match the traveller's official identification

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 2: Enter the traveller's valid visa or passport number and complete the personal and contact information exactly as it appears on the travel documents.
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
Identity / account detail

Working email or phone contact for confirmation

Why you need it
Used for account access and/or official communication. Use an address you can open throughout the process.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 2: Enter the traveller's valid visa or passport number and complete the personal and contact information exactly as it appears on the travel documents.
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
Start

Open the official NIS Landing and Exit Card portal and choose Arrival for a Landing Card or Departure for an Exit Card.

Have ready for this step
  • A foreign traveller entering or departing Nigeria who is covered by the NIS portal
  • A valid visa or passport number accepted by the portal
Check before moving on

Use the official route linked on this guide and make sure you are working in the correct applicant/entity account before entering data.

Keep as evidence

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

02
Documents / upload

Enter the traveller's valid visa or passport number and complete the personal and contact information exactly as it appears on the travel documents.

Have ready for this step
  • A valid visa or passport number accepted by the portal
  • A foreign traveller entering or departing Nigeria who is covered by the NIS portal
  • Personal details that match the traveller's official identification
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.

03
Verify details

Review every field before submission because the portal says submitted information cannot be edited; if an error is made, a corrected application has to be submitted.

Have ready for this step
  • A foreign traveller entering or departing Nigeria who is covered by the NIS portal
  • A valid visa or passport number accepted by the portal
Check before moving on

Review names, numbers, dates, contact details and selections before final submission because corrections may require a separate official process.

Keep as evidence

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

04
Collect / finish

Submit the card application and wait for the instant processing result, then download the Landing Card or Exit confirmation sent by the official portal.

Have ready for this step
  • A foreign traveller entering or departing Nigeria who is covered by the NIS portal
  • A valid visa or passport number accepted by the portal
  • Working email or phone contact for confirmation
Check before moving on

Review names, numbers, dates, contact details and selections before final submission because corrections may require a separate official process.

Keep as evidence

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

05
Collect / finish

Print or securely save the confirmation for presentation at the immigration checkpoint; each traveller must submit an individual application.

Have ready for this step
  • A foreign traveller entering or departing Nigeria who is covered by the NIS portal
  • Personal details that match the traveller's official identification
  • Working email or phone contact for confirmation
Check before moving on

Review names, numbers, dates, contact details and selections before final submission because corrections may require a separate official process.

Keep as evidence

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

After you submit

What exactly happens next?

Keep the evidence for Landing / Exit Card

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

Complete the final published step

Print or securely save the confirmation for presentation at the immigration checkpoint; each traveller must submit an individual application.

Know what counts as completion

The official portal says processing is instant after valid details are submitted and the traveller meets the requirements.

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

  • The NIS portal says the service is free.
  • The portal's FAQ says it is for foreigners entering or departing Nigeria and is not intended for transit passengers.
  • NIS warns that failure to comply with the pre-processing requirement can lead to refusal at an immigration checkpoint.

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.

  • A foreign traveller entering or departing Nigeria who is covered by the NIS portal — Other requirement
  • A valid visa or passport number accepted by the portal — Document
  • Personal details that match the traveller's official identification — Document
  • Working email or phone contact for confirmation — Identity / account detail
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?

Mostly online. Open the official NIS Landing and Exit Card portal and choose Arrival for a Landing Card or Departure for an Exit Card. Then enter the traveller's valid visa or passport number and complete the personal and contact information exactly as it appears on the travel documents.

The current sources for Landing / Exit Card do not state a compulsory walk-in stage for the standard route.

How much does this service cost?

FREE.

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

How long should it take?

The official portal says processing is instant after valid details are submitted and the traveller meets the requirements.

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 Landing / Exit Card: Keep the application reference, payment receipt, appointment details and any acknowledgement generated by the NIS process.

Complete the final published step: Print or securely save the confirmation for presentation at the immigration checkpoint; each traveller must submit an individual application.

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?
  • The NIS portal says the service is free.
  • The portal's FAQ says it is for foreigners entering or departing Nigeria and is not intended for transit passengers.
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

Checking correction-report availability…