How to apply for a Nigeria Visiting Visa (F6A)

NIS requirements for a foreign national making a short social visit to family or friends in Nigeria.

VerifiedChecked 2026-09-28
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CostVaries by nationality
TimelineNIS lists 48 hours for the F6A 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 the invitation letter from the Nigerian resident or citizen hosting the visit, ensuring it accepts immigration responsibility, and collect the host passport or residence-permit copy before starting the application. Then open the official NIS visa portal, choose Visiting Single Entry Visa F6A and enter the traveller, passport, host and visit information accurately.

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: Obtain the invitation letter from the Nigerian resident or citizen hosting the visit, ensuring it accepts immigration responsibility, and collect the host passport or residence-permit copy before starting the application.

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.

5 Documents1 Identity / account detail
01
Document

Invitation letter from the family member or friend in Nigeria accepting immigration responsibility

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 the invitation letter from the Nigerian resident or citizen hosting the visit, ensuring it accepts immigration responsibility, and collect the host passport or residence-permit copy before starting the application.
Original, copy or upload?
This is used during the physical stage described in step 1.
02
Document

Copy of the Nigerian host's passport or the non-Nigerian host's residence permit

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 1: Obtain the invitation letter from the Nigerian resident or citizen hosting the visit, ensuring it accepts immigration responsibility, and collect the host passport or residence-permit copy before starting the application.
Original, copy or upload?
A copy/photocopy is explicitly referenced in the guide. Keep the source document available as well.
03
Document

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity and a 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 host documents, passport photograph, return ticket, accommodation or host address, proof of funds and any minor-traveller evidence required by NIS.
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.
04
Identity / account detail

Return ticket and 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 3: Upload the host documents, passport photograph, return ticket, accommodation or host address, proof of funds and any minor-traveller evidence required by NIS.
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.
05
Document

Evidence of sufficient funds using the bank-statement period required by NIS

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 host documents, passport photograph, return ticket, accommodation or host address, proof of funds and any minor-traveller evidence required by NIS.
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
Document

For a minor, birth certificate and parental consent letter

Why you need it
Used as civil evidence of birth or date of birth where the responsible agency lists it for this process.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 1: Obtain the invitation letter from the Nigerian resident or citizen hosting the visit, ensuring it accepts immigration responsibility, and collect the host passport or residence-permit copy before starting the application.
Original, copy or upload?
This is used during the physical stage described in step 1.

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
Collect / finish

Obtain the invitation letter from the Nigerian resident or citizen hosting the visit, ensuring it accepts immigration responsibility, and collect the host passport or residence-permit copy before starting the application.

Have ready for this step
  • Copy of the Nigerian host's passport or the non-Nigerian host's residence permit
  • Invitation letter from the family member or friend in Nigeria accepting immigration responsibility
  • Valid passport with at least 6 months validity and a 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.

02
Physical / assisted stage

Open the official NIS visa portal, choose Visiting Single Entry Visa F6A and enter the traveller, passport, host and visit information accurately.

Have ready for this step
  • Copy of the Nigerian host's passport or the non-Nigerian host's residence permit
  • Valid passport with at least 6 months validity and a recent passport-size photograph
  • Return ticket and hotel reservation or host address in Nigeria
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 host documents, passport photograph, return ticket, accommodation or host address, proof of funds and any minor-traveller evidence required by NIS.

Have ready for this step
  • Return ticket and hotel reservation or host address in Nigeria
  • Copy of the Nigerian host's passport or the non-Nigerian host's residence permit
  • Valid passport with at least 6 months validity and a 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.

04
Payment

Check the application against the host invitation and travel dates, pay the visa fee generated by the official portal and submit the application.

Have ready for this step
  • Invitation letter from the family member or friend in Nigeria accepting immigration responsibility
  • Copy of the Nigerian host's passport or the non-Nigerian host's residence permit
  • Return ticket and hotel reservation or host address in Nigeria
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

When approved, keep the electronic visa approval with the passport and host information for travel; the F6A visit is for social visiting and does not permit employment.

Have ready for this step
  • Copy of the Nigerian host's passport or the non-Nigerian host's residence permit
  • Valid passport with at least 6 months validity and a recent passport-size photograph
  • Return ticket and hotel reservation or host address in Nigeria
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.

After you submit

What exactly happens next?

Keep the evidence for Nigeria Visiting Visa

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

Complete the final published step

When approved, keep the electronic visa approval with the passport and host information for travel; the F6A visit is for social visiting and does not permit employment.

Know what counts as completion

NIS lists 48 hours for the F6A 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

  • NIS states that F6A is valid for 90 days from issuance and allows a 30-day single-entry stay within the validity period.
  • The visa is not extendable.
  • Eligible family/group applications may include up to 10 people, with requirements and fees applying to each applicant.

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.

  • Invitation letter from the family member or friend in Nigeria accepting immigration responsibility — Document
  • Copy of the Nigerian host's passport or the non-Nigerian host's residence permit — Document
  • Valid passport with at least 6 months validity and a recent passport-size photograph — Document
  • Return ticket and hotel reservation or host address in Nigeria — Identity / account detail
  • Evidence of sufficient funds using the bank-statement period required by NIS — Document
  • For a minor, birth certificate and parental consent letter — Document
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?

Mostly online. Obtain the invitation letter from the Nigerian resident or citizen hosting the visit, ensuring it accepts immigration responsibility, and collect the host passport or residence-permit copy before starting the application. Then open the official NIS visa portal, choose Visiting Single Entry Visa F6A and enter the traveller, passport, host and visit information accurately.

The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Obtain the invitation letter from the Nigerian resident or citizen hosting the visit, ensuring it accepts immigration responsibility, and collect the host passport or residence-permit copy before starting the application.

How much does this service cost?

Varies by nationality — The applicable F6A fee is generated through the official NIS visa application route and can vary by 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 F6A 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 Visiting Visa: Keep the application reference, payment receipt, appointment details and any acknowledgement generated by the NIS process.

Complete the final published step: When approved, keep the electronic visa approval with the passport and host information for travel; the F6A visit is for social visiting and does not permit employment.

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?
  • NIS states that F6A is valid for 90 days from issuance and allows a 30-day single-entry stay within the validity period.
  • The visa is not extendable.
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…