Abuja Information
Abuja, city, capital of Nigeria. It lies in the central part of Nigeria, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT; created 1976). The city is approximately 300 miles (480 km) northeast of Lagos, the former capital (until 1991). During the 1980s the new capital city was built and developed on the grass-covered Chukuku Hills.
The site was chosen for Nigeria’s new capital because of its central location, easy accessibility, salubrious climate, and low population density and the availability of land for future expansion. It was the first planned city to be built in Nigeria. Abuja lies at 1,180 feet (360 metres) above sea level and has a cooler climate and less humidity than is found in Lagos. The city’s Central Area contains the city hall, national cultural institutes, and other government-related offices. It also contains the Three Arms Zone, which is home to the presidential palace, the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, the National Arboretum, the National Christian Centre, the National Mosque, and Millennium Park, the largest park in Abuja; the National Children’s Park and Zoo is nearby. Other areas provide housing, shopping facilities, and other urban amenities. The National Stadium, a large multisport arena, is located on the western edge of the Central Area. Abuja has an international airport, and expressways connect the federal capital with other cities. Power lines and underground cables conduct electricity to the city; the Shiroro Dam, on the Niger River southwest of Abuja, is one source. Pop. (2006) Abuja Municipal Area Council, 776,298; (2016 est.) urban agglom., 2,940,000.
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Business Visa Application Requirements for a Nigeria Visa
- Passport
You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Be valid for the next six months
- Have at least one blank visa page (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
If your passport does not meet these requirements,
Photographs
You must provide two color, passport-type photographs that meets the following criteria:
- Be taken within the last three months and printed on high-quality photo paper
- Be taken against an all white background
- Be two inches by two inches
- Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression
- You may wear neither eyeglasses nor headwear except for religious purposes
- Your photos should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples
- Business Cover Letter
You are required to provide a Business Cover Letter. All letters must be printed on company letterhead that displays a mailing address.
Visa Application Form
The Consulate of Nigeria has instituted a web-based visa application form. You must complete your visa application and pay the associated fee online, then print a copy of your application and the receipt of your payment. Details can be found at https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/freshVisa. It is important that you submit us both a copy of your application and the payment receipt. The receipt should state the words: “Payment Received.” Please be advised that any other proof of payment is not accepted by the consulate.
Your completed application must:
- Include answers for all fields
- Include your signature as it appears in your passport
- Letter of Invitation
You must obtain a letter of invitation. The organization you will be visiting is responsible for providing the invitation. A copy is acceptable. This letter must:
- Be written on company letterhead
- Include the full local address and phone number of the organization or person to be visited
- Request the same validity of visa as in the Business Introduction Letter
- Specify the number of entries you are requesting for your visa
- Include a sentence which states that the company in Nigeria assumes full responsibility for the visa applicant’s immigration status while in Nigeria
- If you are traveling for a personal visit or homestay, you will need to include a copy of the inviter’s residency card along with the Letter of Invitation
- Proof of Travel Arrangements
You must provide proof of travel arrangements for the duration of your trip. Details of your intended arrangements must:
- Include a copy of an itinerary or e-ticket that displays your round trip travel and entry and exit dates for your destination
- Show the traveler’s full name (as printed in his or her passport)
- Include a confirmation of your hotel accommodations
- Certificate of Incorporation
The Nigerian Consulate requires a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation:
- The Nigerian government issues the certificate and all companies in Nigeria should have one
- You will have to contact the company you will be visiting in Nigeria to obtain a copy
- Urgent Applications
If you have an urgent visa application that carries a tight deadline,
Tourist Application Requirements for a Nigeria Visa
- Passport
You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Be valid for the next six months
- Have at least one blank visa page (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
- Photographs
You must provide two color, passport-type photographs that meets the following criteria:
- Be taken within the last three months and printed on high-quality photo paper
- Be taken against an all white background
- Be two inches by two inches
- Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression
- You may wear neither eyeglasses nor headwear except for religious purposes
- Your photos should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples
- Proof of Sufficient Funds
You must provide proof that you possess sufficient funds. Your financial details must:
- Include a copy of your 3 most recent bank statements showing the available balance for use.
- Display your full name
- Visa Application Form
The Consulate of Nigeria has instituted a web-based visa application form. You must complete your visa application and pay the associated fee online, then print a copy of your application and the receipt of your payment. Details can be found at https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/freshVisa. It is important that you submit us both a copy of your application and the payment receipt. The receipt should state the words: “Payment Received.” Please be advised that any other proof of payment is not accepted by the consulate.
Your completed application must:
- Include answers for all fields
- Include your signature as it appears in your passport
- Letter of Invitation
You must obtain an original letter of invitation from your host. The person you will be visiting is responsible for providing the invitation.The letter of invitation must:
- Include a copy of your host’s Nigerian passport
- Clearly state that the host in Nigeria will be accepting immigration responsibility for you
- Proof of Travel Arrangements
You must provide proof of travel arrangements for the duration of your trip. Details of your intended arrangements must:
- Include a copy of an itinerary or e-ticket that displays your round trip travel and entry and exit dates for your destination
- Show the traveler’s full name (as printed in his or her passport)
- Applicants Under the Age of 18
Applicants under the age of 18 must provide a notarized copy of their birth certificate. Minors traveling with only one parent/guardian must provide a signed and notarized letter of consent from the non-traveling parent/guardian. Minors traveling without parents or guardians must provide a signed and notarized letter of consent from both parents/guardians.