How to Apply for a Nigeria Visa in Salt Lake City : visasupply.com

Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa and sixth largest in the world, continues to grow in popularity as a tourist and business destination for residents of Salt Lake City and the state of Utah. Known as the “Giant of Africa” -- every fifth African is Nigerian and its former capital, Lagos, is the largest city on the continent -- Nigeria is a regional powerhouse that dominates West Africa.

While the U.S. State Department advises travelers to reconsider visiting Nigeria due to risks of crime and terrorism, the warnings are largely confined to certain areas of the country. “After they have spent a day or two in Nigeria, most visitors are surprised to see that the country is so much more than its reputation for scam artists and kidnappings,” Lonely Planet reported (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-nigeria). “Shake off that image. The moment you step out of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) – the default port of entry for most international visitors – you’ll immediately sense that you’re entering a world of wonder and contrasts.”

The article continued, “You’ll find some of that wonder in Nigeria’s everyday people who are hard-working and full of life, in its centuries-old festivals and vernacular architecture, not to mention the legacies of ancient empires and kingdoms. If food is the reason you travel, then prepare to be wowed by an unbeatable range of local cuisine.”

The country was part of the British colonial system before attaining independence in 1960 as the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Since then, it experienced a three-year civil war in the late 1960s; several periods of military and civilian leadership; and, since 1999, a stable democratic government. Bordering Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, the nation stretches from the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean to the Niger and Benue River valleys. It encompasses sandy beaches, mangrove swamps, savannahs, tropical rain forests, waterfalls, and mountainous highlands.

“Nigeria is a country of multiple identities,” Lonely Planet noted. Its population of 237 million is divided almost equally between Christians and Muslims, with more than 250 ethnic groups and 500-plus dialects (including English, the official language). “Plus, there are layers and layers of cultural and political history,” the publication added.

The country also enjoys the second-largest economy in Africa, with its 2024 economic output estimated at $395 billion. Nigeria is the United States’ second-largest African trading partner, with two-way trade exceeding $10.6 billion and U.S. foreign direct investment totaling $5.6 billion, according to the U.S. State Department. (https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-and-nigeria-partnering-for-prosperity/) Nigeria also ranks as one of Africa’s top petroleum producers, plus has an abundance of precious stones and minerals. “Nigeria can be a lucrative market for companies that can learn to navigate a complex and evolving business environment,” the International Trade Administration stated. (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/nigeria-market-overview). Opportunities for American businesses exist in oil and gas, electric power generation, infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer products, the ITA noted. Top export and investment sectors for Salt Lake City-based companies include Nigeria’s burgeoning information and communications technology sector, as well as opportunities for colleges and universities in the state of Utah to market their schools as a destination for Nigeria’s best and brightest students.

Expanding access to tourism is one of the government’s top economic development priorities. The Nigerian Consulate General in Atlanta pointed to developmental needs for heritage/cultural resources, new museums, lodging, camping sites, hiking trails, wildlife tourism, boating facilities, and other tourism infrastructure. (https://www.nigeriaconsulateatlanta.org/tourism/) The United States ranks as the fifth-largest source of visitors to Nigeria, with many residents of Salt Lake City and other American cities traveling to the country to experience the culture of their ancestral motherland.

While cultural events have been Nigeria’s primary attraction for visitors from Salt Lake City, its natural attractions are also growing in popularity. Its largest city, Lagos, an emerging world-class metropolis with nine million people, is mainly known as a fast-paced business environment and a center of African cultural identity. The city “is overflowing with tech industries, posh restaurants and clubs, and an exploding art city,” Lonely Planet reported (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/nigeria). It added, “This megacity is the face of modern Africa.” Lagos’ Atlantic Ocean beaches include Elegushi and Alpha beaches, and the city boasts coastal resorts such as the Inagbe Grand Beach Resort. It is also home to numerous Western-style hotels, nightclubs on Victoria Island, two zoos, and the Lekki Arts and Crafts Market. Other top tourist sites for Salt Lake City-based tourists include Nike Art Gallery, Tafawa Balewa Square, and the Cathedral Church of Christ. The nation’s new capital, Abuja, is a planned city built in the 1980s near Aso Rock, a 1,300-foot monolith. Nigeria also has eight national parks and two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Sukur cultural landscape and Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. Other outdoor attractions include the Obudu Mountain Resort and cable car, Jamestown’s Ibeno Beach, river excursions, water sports, and wildlife viewing.

Requirements for Obtaining a Nigeria Visa

Citizens of the United States and most other countries living in the Salt Lake City area are required to obtain a visa before visiting Nigeria. {Nationals from the 15 countries that comprise the Economic Community of West African States are exempt from visa requirements.} The main requirement to obtain a visa is having a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date with two blank pages. Travelers are also required to present a World Health Organization “yellow card” indicating they have been vaccinated for yellow fever, as well as proof of polio vaccination. Additional vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control can be found at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/nigeria?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001.

There are several types of visas available to visit Nigeria, includes tourism, business, work, study, and residence. Single-entry visas allow you to enter Nigeria within 90 days following its issuance, while multiple-entry visas can span one, two, or five years (NOTE: the Nigerian government now issues 5-year multiple-entry Tourist/Visitor Visas for American passport holders). Fees vary by country of origin; visitor visas are less expensive than work and residential permits.

The country maintains an embassy in Washington, D.C., and two regional consulates in Atlanta, and New York City. Online Integrated Services -- the official visa contractor for the Nigerian government -- operates Visa Application Collection Centers in Atlanta, Houston, Jersey City, NJ, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. “All Nigeria visa applications should be submitted by applicants in person (not by mail) for biometric capturing in the OIS Services offices nearest to them,” the Nigeria Embassy states. All visa applications (except diplomatic visas) are to be submitted to OIS in Atlanta or Houston, the Atlanta consulate noted on its website (https://www.nigeriaconsulateatlanta.org/visas/). Additional information can be found at the government immigration portal: https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/.

Required documents to obtain a tourist visa are:

Completed and signed online application, found at https://visa.immigration.gov.ng/.
Two color passport photos taken within the last 30 days.
U.S. passport valid for at least 180 days after your departure date with at least two blank pages. (If you are applying for a multiple-entry visa, the passport must be valid for 90 days after your last intended departure date.)
Non-U.S. citizens must provide a copy of a U.S. green card or have a residency visa stamped in their passport.
Hotel reservation showing the applicant’s name (or invitation letter from a private host in Nigeria).
Flight itinerary with your name plus arrival and departure dates/times.
Evidence of sufficient funds during your visit.
Health Insurance. Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Nigeria. International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒ Order Now.

Other types of applicants must submit similar documentation as the tourist visa but may also require additional materials (such as a letter from a Nigerian educational institution for a study visa). Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translated copy. It usually takes two to three days for the visa to be issued, according to the government website.

To apply for the visa:

Select the type of visa you wish to apply for, as listed on the website above.
Create an account at https://visa.immigration.gov.ng/.
Fill in the online application form in English and print it.
Pay your fees online. The fees for U.S. citizens are $160 for single- and multiple-entry visas. Visa fees by country can be found at https://www.nigeriaconsulateatlanta.org/fees/.
Take your completed form to the nearest OIS Services location for processing and biometrics. Residents of the Salt Lake City area can visit the OIS office located at 11900 Parklawn Drive Suite 160, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Consular days are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays (except holidays); office hours are 9am-5pm. You can schedule an appointment at https://www.oisservices.com/.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Salt Lake City or anywhere in the state of Utah and have difficulty applying for a Nigeria visa, and require assistance with this process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company. We are a private agency in Atlanta providing travel visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents. Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Nigerian government. Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.

We provide the following Nigeria visa services for our customers in Salt Lake City:

Nigeria Tourist Visas
Nigeria Visitor Visas
Nigeria Business Visas
Nigeria Hotel Accommodations
Nigeria Flight Tickets