Instructions for Chinese citizens traveling to Nigeria

1. Visa Instructions

Types of Nigerian visas:

(1) Transit visa

Issued to those who stay in Nigeria for no more than 7 days , one-time transit; for direct transfer, a 48-hour transit visa will be issued. Transit visa applicants must provide the following materials, otherwise the visa will be refused: A. Connecting ticket for onward travel; B. Travel redemption voucher; C. Sufficient funds required for travel; D. Valid passport.

(2) Visit visa

Issued to persons visiting Nigeria. Applicants must provide: A. Round-trip air tickets; B. Reliable visiting address; C. Invitation letter from the host unit and sufficient proof of funds. The visa is valid for one month. No business or work is allowed during the visit. If there is not enough time, you can apply to the immigration authorities for an extension, which can be extended once for 3 months. If you want to stay and work for a long time, you must apply for a temporary residence and work visa from the Immigration Bureau, which will be reviewed and approved by the Immigration Director.

(3) Work visa

1. Long-term work visa, namely STR visa (Stay till Review): applied by foreigners who intend to live in Nigeria. They can be foreign owners and employees of industrial and commercial enterprises registered in Nigeria, or the spouses and children of the above two categories of persons. They must have approved immigration quota permits and business licenses. Applicants must submit the application to the Nigerian embassy or consulate abroad or the Nigerian Immigration Bureau with the following documents, which will be reviewed and approved by the Director of Immigration:

A. Passports valid for more than 6 months;

B. 4 photos;

C. Certificate of company registration in Nigeria;

D. Company’s letter applying for STR visa;

E. Employment letter from the company;

F. Letter of applicant accepting employment from the company;

G. A copy of the company’s latest immigration quota approval document;

H. Job certificate;

I. Personal resume;

The validity period of STR visa is generally 3 months. After arriving in Nigeria, the applicant must apply to the Immigration Bureau for a residence permit, that is, a CERPAC card, within the validity period of the STR visa. Since 2002, the Nigerian Immigration Bureau has issued a combined foreigner certificate and residence permit to foreigners living in Nigeria, referred to as CERPAC card (COMBINED EXPATRIATE RESIDENCE PERMIT & ALIEN CARD). In addition to paying a production fee and handling fee of US$350, each applicant is also required to provide the same documents used to apply for the STR visa, the company's tax form, personal income tax form, and personal fingerprints. This card is valid for one year and can be used at the same time as your passport.

Foreign citizens holding residence permits are divided into two categories: Category A is not allowed to work; Category B is dependent on category A, such as spouses and children, and is not allowed to work. If you want to work in Nigeria, you must obtain the consent of the Immigration Director, who will authorize the issuance of a work permit.

2. Temporary work visa, namely TWP visa: This visa is used to enter the country for a specific purpose, such as machine installation, equipment maintenance, business processing, etc. The application is submitted by the legal representative of the company in Nigeria, and states the purpose of the invitee's visit, period of stay, personal information, the company's immigration responsibilities, etc. Upon application, this type of visa can be converted into a long-term work visa, but must be approved by the Director of Immigration. The information required is the same as applying for STR.

(4) Diplomatic courtesy and free courtesy visa

1. Diplomatic courtesy visa: The following people can obtain diplomatic courtesy visa for free: government officials, United Nations agency personnel, technical assistance project personnel, Economic and trade delegations, personnel invited by the Federal Government of Nigeria, and officially appointed diplomatic personnel stationed in Nigeria.

2. Free courtesy visa: This visa is issued free of charge to foreign government officials who are not qualified for diplomatic visas but need to carry out official business travel.

(5) Mutual visa exemption

Citizens of the West African Economic Community and other countries that have mutual visa exemptions with Nigeria are exempt from visa application. The above persons must enter the country by plane, ship, or vehicle at designated ports of entry. Immigration officers will only allow entry if they believe that the immigrants are free of disease, do not pose a security threat to Nigeria, and do not rely on relief to survive.

For Chinese citizens to apply for a visa at the Nigerian Embassy in China, the visa fee is RMB 250. Be careful not to send your passport to Nigeria and ask someone to apply for a visa in Nigeria, otherwise you will encounter trouble when and after entering the country.

2. Entry Instructions

1. Animals, plants, drugs, and internationally prohibited items are not allowed to be brought into the country;

2. Every You can bring up to US$5,000 in cash per entry;

3. Take good care of your passport, documents, valuables, etc. Copies of your passport, ID card, residence permit, and driver's license are required;

4. When arriving in Nigeria, it is best to have a reception unit or relatives and friends pick you up at the airport, because some illegal immigration officials and taxi drivers at the Nigeria International Airport Car drivers often make things difficult for Chinese citizens, extort money, and even imprison Chinese citizens in huts without reason.

When encountering such a situation, Chinese citizens should argue their case, try to write down the official’s name, police number, vehicle number or other markings, and report the situation to the Chinese embassy or consulate in a timely manner afterwards.

5. The taxi fare from the airport to the city is about 1,500-3,000 naira, and a standard room in a four-star hotel is about 150 US dollars a day.

6. After entering the country, Chinese citizens should strictly abide by the laws and regulations of the host country. Visitor visa holders are not allowed to engage in profit-making activities. If you plan to work or do business in Nigeria, you should complete the procedures in time. Those who fail to return after their visa expires without completing the procedures will be subject to heavy fines or even deportation by the Nigerian Immigration Bureau. Do not ask immigration officials to stamp an entry-exit stamp on your passport through improper means to extend your stay. These stamps are often forged and result in rejection when applying for a third country visa.