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What Are the Visa-free Countries for Nigeria?

What Are the Visa-free Countries for Nigeria?

If you’re a Nigerian passport holder wondering how many countries are visa-free for Nigeria, then you’ve come to the right place! Currently, if you hold a passport issued by this West African country, you can visit over 20 destinations without having to apply for an entry permit beforehand.

In addition to our list of visa-free nations for Nigerians, we’ve also included useful information on destinations where Nigerian nationals can apply for Electronic Visas (eVisas) and Visas on Arrival (VoA). We’ve also researched how long your national passport will allow you to stay in each country to make planning your next international escape a breeze.

Keep reading to learn about the visa-free countries for Nigerian citizens, the e-Visa and VoA application processes, the documents you’ll need, and what you can expect upon arrival at the airport.

List of Visa-Free Countries for Nigeria

Here’s a list of the destinations travellers from Nigeria can visit visa-free. Destinations range from the World Heritage-listed port cities of Barbados to the dreamy beaches of Fiji.

Country
How Long You Can Visit (in Days)
Barbados 180
Benin No limit
Burkina Faso No limit
Cameroon 90
Cape Verde 90
Chad 90
Cote D’Ivoire 90
Dominica 21
Fiji 120
The Gambia 90
Ghana 90
Guinea 90
Guinea Bissau 90
Haiti 90
Liberia 90
Mali 90
Micronesia 30
Niger 90
Saint Kitts and Nevis 90
Samoa 60
Senegal 90
Sierra Leone 90
Togo 90
Vanuatu 30

How Many Countries Can Nigerian Passport Holders Go to Without a Traditional Visa?

If your destination of choice isn’t on the list of visa-free countries for Nigerian passport holders, not to worry. The ancient temples of Cambodia and wildlife parks of Kenya are easily accessible for Nigerians without the need to apply for a traditional consular visa.

E-Visas and VoAs (Visas on Arrival) are quickly becoming the norm, and some are available free of charge for Nigerian visitors. The former are requested entirely online and then sent to the applicant via email, while the latter can be applied for directly at the airport.

In both cases, you’ll need some basic personal and passport details to fill out the form:

  • Full name and any former names (e.g. a maiden name).
  • Place of birth and current residence.
  • Passport number, date of issue and expiry.
  • The dates and purpose of your travel.
  • In the case of an eVisa, a debit/credit card or PayPal account will be needed to pay the online fee.

Take a look below to see the options available to you:

Country
Type of Permit/How Long You Can Visit
Cambodia Electronic, up to 30 days
Comoros Islands VoA, up to 45 days (35 USD)
Djibouti Electronic, up to 90 days (23 USD)
Ethiopia VoA, up to 90 days at Addis Ababa (International Airport only)
Iran VoA, up to 30 days
Kenya Electronic, 90 days
Lebanon Conditional VoA, please check with the nearest embassy for more information
Madagascar Electronic or VoA, 90 days
Maldives VoA, 30 days (free of charge)
Mauritania VoA, 90 days
Mauritius VoA, 14 days
Mozambique VoA, 30 days
Palau Islands VoA, 30 days
Rwanda Electronic or VoA, 30 days
Seychelles 90 days (visitor permit issued upon arrival)
Timor Leste VoA, up to 90 days at certain airports
Tuvalu VoA
Uganda Electronic or VoA, 45 days

Where Can Nigerians Travel Visa-Free in Africa?

Thanks to Nigeria’s membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the 14 visa-free countries for Nigerian citizens in Africa are:

  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cabo Verde
  • Cote D’Ivoire
  • The Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea Bissau
  • Liberia
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Togo

What Countries Are Visa-Free to Nigerians in the Americas?

While most nations in North and South America will require an entry permit, your Nigerian travel document will allow you to holiday visa-exempt in beautiful island destinations like Barbados, Dominica and Haiti.

Visa Free Countries for Nigerians With a US Green Card

If you have a valid US residence permit, you’re in luck! This document facilitates travel to a number of attractive destinations, including Canada and Mexico, thanks to the so-called “good neighbor policy” held by the 3 nations.

To travel to these destinations visa-free, you will need both your Nigerian passport and a valid US Green Card. You’ll also need to present proof of accommodation and a return ticket.

Keep in mind, however, that some foreign countries have their own entry and exit requirements that should be respected. It’s always a good idea to double-check with a country’s embassy prior to planning your trip. For our catalogue of embassies worldwide, see here.

Nigerian travellers who hold a US Green Card can holiday in:

  • Albania (up to 90 days within a 180-day period)
  • Antigua and Barbuda (VoA, up to 30 days with a US visa or Green Card)
  • Aruba
  • Bahamas
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bonaire
  • British Virgin Islands (up to 30 days)
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Costa Rica (up to 30 days)
  • Curacao
  • Georgia (US visa or Green Card holders for 90 days within a 180-day period)
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Jamaica
  • Kosovo
  • Mexico
  • Montenegro (up to 30 days)
  • North Macedonia (up 10 15 days)
  • Saba
  • Serbia
  • St Eustatius
  • St Maarten

Please note that, if you’re travelling to Canada by air, you will have to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) prior to your trip. This can be done entirely online for approximately 7 USD here. Once approved, your eTA will be electronically linked to your passport.

Similarly, travellers to Mexico will have to present a Mexican tourist card. The price of this card is often included in your airline ticket. For more information on this card, click here.

What Are the Visa-Free Countries for Nigerian Citizens with Schengen Visas?

In addition to opening the door to all 26 Schengen Member States, including top tourist destinations like France, Italy and Spain, your Schengen authorisation can also grant you entry to 14 other countries around the world.

To take advantage of this scheme, you need a Double or Multiple-Entry short-stay (Type ‘C’) visa or a permanent residence permit. Your authorisation must be valid past your period of stay in the country to be granted entry. Additionally, in the case of Type C permits, you must first enter a country in the Schengen zone before travelling to one of the destinations below:

Country
Period of Stay
Albania 90 days within a 180-day period
Antigua and Barbuda 30-day Single-Entry VoA
Bosnia and Herzegovina 15 days within a 180-day period
Bulgaria 90 days within a 180-day period
Croatia 90 days within a 180-day period
Cyprus 90 days within a 180-day period
Georgia 90 days within a 180-day period
Kosovo 15 days within a 180-day period
Mexico 90 days within a 180-day period
Montenegro 30 days within a 180-day period
North Macedonia 15 days within a 180-day period
Romania 90 days within a 180-day period
Sao Tomé and Principe 15 days within a 180-day period
Serbia 90 days within a 180-day period

Visa-free Countries for Nigerians: What Else You Need to Know

While the countries discussed above have open visa policies towards travellers from Nigeria, keep in mind that all visa-free countries for Nigerians will require that you present the following items in order to enter the country:

  • Your Nigerian passport (most countries require that it be valid for at least 6 months past your dates of travel and have 1 blank page for the entry stamp).
  • Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements from the previous months or a letter of employment that states your salary).
    Proof of accommodation.
  • Proof of a return or onward ticket (in the case of an onward ticket, you should be able to show that you have a visa for that third country).

Border patrol may also ask basic questions about the reason for your travel and the dates of your stay. If you’re travelling to see the Big 5 on a wildlife safari in Uganda or the turquoise seas of Mauritius, then you can just say ‘tourism.’

More Information for Nigerian Travellers

We hope this article has provided you with some helpful information on visa-free countries to Nigeria. If you didn’t find your dream destination on any of our lists above, not to worry. This doesn’t mean your application process can’t be quick and straightforward. Let Byevisa put all the need-to-know information in your hands with our country-by-country visa application guides. Happy travels!

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