Effective immediately, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has implemented a national action plan that, among other changes, allows eligible business executives from countries without a Nigerian consular post to enter under a visa-on-arrival and expands the allowable business visitor activities list. Further developments are expected to be announced over the next 60 days.

Visa-on-Arrival Details

The visa-on-arrival is valid for a single 14-day stay and can be obtained at the port of entry.

Applicants must arrive with an approval letter obtained by a Nigerian sponsoring company, which takes two business days to process. Sponsoring companies can apply for the approval letter on the Nigeria Immigration Services website.

Expanded List of Allowable Business Activities

The immigration authorities have also expanded the list of business activities allowed under the traditional 90-day business visa and the new visa-on-arrival. The list now includes the following activities:

• Negotiating contracts;
• Conducting sales activities;
• Attending job interviews;
• Conducting training and research;
• Purchasing and distributing Nigerian goods;
• Attending trade fairs; and
• Participating in emergency or relief work.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

Eligible frequent business travelers should benefit from the visa-on-arrival and business visitors under the traditional business visa and the visa-on-arrival should benefit from the expanded list of allowable business visitor activities.

More initiatives that may affect foreign travelers are expected over the next 60 days.

Fragomen will continue monitoring the situation and will report additional information as developments occur.

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