Africa - Hallelujah - can it be true? (Nigerian Visa on Arrival)

So after doing battle with the online applications and the paperwork and the visa agents, I finally sent my passport off to Paris yesterday and am keeping my fingers crossed.

But on looking at the Nigerian Immigration website again, more carefully, I see there is now a section on "Visa on Arrival". Can it be true? It looks like you still have to do all the online form filling and payment, but then at least you can bring your paperwork with you on the plane to the immigration desk, by the sound of it (at which stage it may be a bit easier to persuade/negotiate...)

I've found one article about it here (http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/fg-introduces-new-visa-policy) which suggests that it might only be for those who don't have a Nigerian consulate in their country of residence.

Anyone know what the deal really is? I cannot tell you all how much easier this would make my life...

Do not attempt a visa on arrival in Nigeria. Having lived there for 3 years, I would not try this....

Do not attempt a visa on arrival in Nigeria. Having lived there for 3 years, I would not try this....

well, that was my reaction as well, but since it's advertised on the Nigerian Government's own immigration website, there must be some grain of truth to it. I shall have a chat with the immigration officers when I go thro next time (in possession of a valid visa obtained outside the country) to see what they say.

PS - quite a slow forum this, isn't it... ;)

PS - quite a slow forum this, isn't it... ;)

Yes, the Federal Republic is one of tourism's best kept secrets.

Do not attempt a visa on arrival in Nigeria. Having lived there for 3 years, I would not try this....

well, that was my reaction as well, but since it's advertised on the Nigerian Government's own immigration website, there must be some grain of truth to it.

The mature interpretation of argno's coments are, naturally, that this could cost you several Franklins (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Benjamin-Franklin-U.S.-%24100-bill.jpg) and it may just be cheaper to follow the normal process than get fleeced at the border for a brazen, little something, something. ;)

For French passport holders visiting Nigeria:
http://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?SpecData=1&VISA=1&NA=FR&DE=NG&PASSTYPES=PASS&user=KLMB2C&subuser=KLMB2C

For better or worse, I have applied for a visa-on-arrival for my trip to Nigeria next week. Very straightforward online application and payment process. Now to see if it works in practice!

If you don't see a post in this thread in the next month, assume it didn't work and I am sitting in a Nigerian jail. :)

Enjoy!
Nigeria, not jail :D

Nigeria is indeed issuing 90-day visas on arrival, without any special advance preparation, to certain nationals.

Kenyan visitors are an example. The visa costs US$25, payable on arrival. www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?SpecData=1&VISA=1&NA=KE&DE=NG&PASSTYPES=PASS&user=KLMB2C&subuser=KLMB2C

Unfortunately, Tanzanian visitors are not allowed to benefit from this new procedure.

So I was supposed to travel to Nigeria last week using the so-called "Visa-On-Arrival".

Arrive at the airport and the airlines (both Aero and Arik) deny all knowledge of the program. Matter was referred to Nigerian immigration in Lagos. The supervisor on duty there also claimed to have no knowledge of it. The confirmations generated by the immigration.gov.ng website are allegedly "fraudulent".

I did not make the flight and was advised to visit the Nigerian High Commission in Accra to clarify the issue.

I visited the Nigerian High Commission this morning and after an hour of waiting while various officials consulted, the official word from there is that the Visa-On-Arrival program "does not exist".

I will be seeking a refund (or else a chargeback) of the application fees paid and instead getting a physical visa before my rescheduled trip.

Just a caution to anyone considering going down this path in the future.

So I was supposed to travel to Nigeria last week using the so-called "Visa-On-Arrival".

Arrive at the airport and the airlines (both Aero and Arik) deny all knowledge of the program. Matter was referred to Nigerian immigration in Lagos. The supervisor on duty there also claimed to have no knowledge of it. The confirmations generated by the immigration.gov.ng website are allegedly "fraudulent".

You are a national of which country? The reason I ask is that a country's visa policy is highly variable based on the nationality of its visitors. Without knowing your nationality, there's little for us to learn from your experience.

You are a national of which country? The reason I ask is that a country's visa policy is highly variable based on the nationality of its visitors. Without knowing your nationality, there's little for us to learn from your experience.

Yes, there may be some flexibility for certain African nationals (e.g. President Jonathan suggested something like this for Malawi nationals recently) -- my general advice is DO NOT RELY on VOA for transport to Nigeria. I'm a U.S. passport holder and travel frequently throughout all of Africa. I am writing this from Lagos.

There can be a difference between what's legally allowed and what's recommended. Recommendations vary from person to person, depending in part on how risk averse the person is. I've done a lot of things in Africa that others would not recommend, without a problem.

You are a national of which country? The reason I ask is that a country's visa policy is highly variable based on the nationality of its visitors. Without knowing your nationality, there's little for us to learn from your experience.

Indian citizen.

Timatic notes the following.


National India (IN) /Destination Nigeria (NG)

Nigeria (NG)

Passport required.
- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid
for at least 6 months upon arrival.

Visa required, except for Former nationals of Nigeria holding

valid foreign passport together with expired Nigerian
passports.
Visa Issuance:
- Holders of an e-visa receipt and an invitation letter can

obtain a visa on arrival, provided:For details, click here

Visa Issuance:
- Holders of an e-visa receipt and an invitation letter can

obtain a visa on arrival, provided:
- traveling on business; and
- holding a visa application form, evidence of online visa

fee payment and two passport photos.


I had all the necessary documentation listed above (and paid the $273 fee) as required by the website. Nationality made no difference in this case.

That said, entering Nigeria (with a physical visa) last week, the immigration officers claimed to have no actual knowledge of the Visa-on-Arrival program or process. Whether or not the program exists, one is unlikely to have a smooth experience using it. That was the point of my post.

Any new experiences with the visa on arrival program other than the one by B747-437B where it looks like he did not depart for Nigeria. I am considering flying to Lagos from New York Sunday night for business, have invitation letter from host company, applied for Visa On Arrival Program using this link (https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/VisaArrivalProgram/freshVisaOnArrivalProgram)

I paid and have acknowledgement slip and payment slip. If I go to check the status (https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/VisaArrivalProgram/vapStatus) it shows as paid. I meet all the requirements listed (passport, photos, etc.) except instruction "g" says to bring "payment receipts and other required documents to the Arrival point of Entry in Nigeria on your slated interview date"

There is no interview date feature available, that is for passport applications.

Should I get on the plane?

Anyone heard of anyone succeeding at this?

Any suggestions otherwise?

Nigeria's Foreign Missions to Issue Visas within 48 hours.
"Minister of Foreign Affairs charged Nigeria's Missions abroad to ensure that the issuance of visas does not last for more than 48 hours"