Applying for a visa can put restrictions to your travel dream. It is also not so good to know Nigeria is ranked 83rd in freedom to travel around the world. The process, uncertainty and time that it takes is extremely tiring, especially for travel enthusiasts that visit different countries often. But the good news is, Nigeria has a number of countries that you can travel to without a visa, and this is not limited to neighboring countries under the ECOWAS passport visa free countries. There are also countries that do not require you to process a visa before traveling, although they demand a visa fee upon arrival into the country.
This article provides an exhaustive list of Nigerian diplomatic passport visa-free countries, including countries that permit you to apply for visas online (E-visa). It also states the current situations regarding Nigerian visa-free countries in Europe 2022, Nigeria visa-free to USA, Biafra passport, and other countries/continents outside Africa.
Nigeria Visa-Free Countries in Europe 2022
Georgia used to be the only visa-free country in Europe. But from the 2015 visa policy amendments, a Nigerian citizen intending to travel to Georgia, must get a visa following the visa application process. Turkey e-visa was also available to Nigerians, but from 8th July 2022, the system changed. Nigerians are currently not eligible for e-visa, visa upon arrival or visa-free access to Georgia, Turkey and other European countries.
Countries with Visa on Arrival for Nigerians
Visa on arrival simply means that you do not necessarily need to start applying for a visa before you travel. You would be offered a visa at the border of the country, after paying a visa fee.
Here is a list of countries with visa on arrival for Nigerian passport holders, with the number of days you’re given liberty to stay.
- Iran – 30 days
- Comoros – 45 days
- Ethiopia – 90 days
- Maldives – 30 days
- Lebanon – 30 days
- Madagascar – 90 days
- Somalia – 30 days
- Uganda – 30 days
- Mozambique – 30 days
- Mauritania – 30 days
Some of these countries also offer e-visas, which is a better option. Considering the fact that Nigerians suffer a stereotype of suspects for fraudulent activities, some countries have denied them entry. Tanzania is an example, in 2018, the visa on arrival policy was amended overnight, with no prior information relayed to airlines. Thus, all Nigerian travelers without visas were deported.
Biafra Passport Free Countries
Although they have been constant threats of secession, the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), do not have a legal entity yet. There have been claims made by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), that the Biafra passport is accepted by other countries except Nigeria. They rightly said:
“… Except Nigeria, other countries of the world accept Biafran passport and allow our citizens to travel with it. Europe, North and South America, Biafra passport is accepted. Nigeria is the only country that seizes Biafran passports. Go to neighboring Ghana here, they will stamp it for you. Don’t be deceived by the propaganda of the Nigerian government that there is nothing like Biafran passport.”
However, the United States and the British government considers the Biafran passport illegal for visa purposes, and have clarified that Biafran passports have never been accepted in their countries. But other countries have not openly declared the same.
The leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu,was charged and arrested for treason by the Nigerian government. Hence, Biafra is not a country, and we are not certain about Biafra passport free countries. it is more beneficial to own a Nigerian passport than a Biafran passport.
Nigeria Visa-Free to USA
Apart from the Dropbox US visa available to Nigerians schooling in the US, Nigerian citizens are not eligible for US visa free entry or any other means outside the regular visa processing. However, you have access to several other countries with a valid US visa on your Nigerian passport. These countries cut across Europe, Asia, North and South America. They include:
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
- Panama
- Georgia
- Saudi Arabia
- Albania
- North Macedonia
- Guam
- Bermuda
- Dominican Republic and so on
ECOWAS Passport Visa-Free Countries
The ECOWAS passport serves a purpose of intra-regional travels within West African countries. There can be used for traveling amongst member states without a visa, it is also recognized internationally.
Below is a list of ECOWAS passport visa-free countries, with the number of days you’re allowed to stay in each country.
- Benin Republic – 90 days
- Cameroon – 90 days
- Ghana – allows immigration
- Guinea Bissau – 90 days
- Guinea Conakry – allows immigration
- Côte d’Ivoire (formally known as Ivory
- Coast) – allows immigration
- Niger Republic – allows immigration
- Sierra Leone – allows immigration
- Togo – allows immigration
- Burkina Faso – allows immigration
- Senegal – allows immigration
- Mozambique – 30 days
- Mail – allows immigration.
It is advisable to get a visa after a duration of time, if you intend to migrate to any of these countries.
Nigerian Diplomatic Passport Visa Free Countries.
A diplomatic passport is reserved for people with governmental duties, to enable them travel around different countries.
Nigerian diplomatic passport is visa free to all the sixteen countries under ECOWAS and also the following countries.
- Cambodia
- Burundi
- Haiti
- Libya
- Seychelles
- Tuvalu
- Djibouti
- Samoa
- Bolivia
- Barbados
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- South Sudan
- Fiji
Is Rwanda a Visa Free Country to Nigeria?
Rwanda is not entirely a visa free country, you would need to apply for an e-visa before traveling. The visa fee is affordable and gives you liberty to stay in Rwanda for 30 days.
Is Georgia a Visa Free country to Nigeria?
Quick answer is NO. Nigerian citizens are not eligible to enter Georgia without a valid visa from the Georgia Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos.
Requirements for Visa-Free Countries
In as much as all the countries mentioned here do not necessarily require a visa for entry, there are other requirements that would be demanded of you at the exit of your country, and entry of the foreign country.
Here are the requirements:
- Valid Passport : This is the most important requirement. Your passport must be at least, six months valid from your travel date. Preferably an international passport.
- Financial Buoyancy: You have to prove that you have enough money to take care of yourself in the foreign country, and not be a liability.
- Accommodation Fee: You must have enough money to lodge in a hotel or pay for any means of accommodation in the foreign country.
- Exit Ticket/Visa: You need to have processed an exit ticket or visa (if it is an e-visa country).
Visa-free countries are much more affordable, because you do not go through the financial burden of getting a visa.
