Nigeria entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO rule): At least 6 months after the day you arrive
Visa (FCDO): You need a visa to enter Nigeria as a visitor. Official visa text
Official source: GOV.UK – Nigeria travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 16 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter Nigeria, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Australian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani
Driving in Nigeria, do you need an international driving permit? Canadian licence
Do I need a visa for Nigeria with a British passport?
In short: You need a visa to enter Nigeria as a visitor.
Our one-line summary of the first FCDO sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. It applies to British citizen passport holders; read the full official text, which may add conditions.
You must have a visa to enter Nigeria as a visitor. Get your visa before travelling.
If you have a valid Nigerian residence permit (CERPAC or Green Card), you do not need a visa to enter Nigeria.
For further information contact the Nigeria High Commission in the UK.
Applying for a visa
Visa on arrival is no longer available. All visa applications must be submitted through the online portal prior to travel.
You can apply for a visa from Nigerian Immigration Services.
Landing and departure cards
The Nigerian authorities have introduced a system for foreigners to complete landing and departure cards before entry/exit and you may be asked for these at the airport or other border points.
The forms can be completed through the online portal.
Official source: GOV.UK – Nigeria travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 16 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
To enter Nigeria, your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Official source: GOV.UK – Nigeria travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 16 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for Nigeria
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 28 September 2026: “Updated information about Ebola screening ('Entry requirements' page).”
- 13 July 2026: “Updated information that all passengers need to complete online Health Declaration Form before entering Nigeria (see ‘Health screening’ on the ‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 12 June 2026: “New information about Ebola screening ('Entry requirements' page).”
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 28 August 2025: “New information on exemptions for yellow fever vaccine requirements when entering Nigeria (See ‘Vaccine requirements’ on the ‘Entry requirements’ page)”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Nigeria (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
Spotted a change? Tell us.
Same FCDO rule (6 months after arrival)
and 79 more destinations with the same rule: see all
Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status