Can Nigeria’s Visa Policy Compete with Rwanda’s Success? A New Policy Breakdown

Confidence NwaobiJanuary 8, 2026053 views

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Travel planning usually starts with excitement, choosing dates, checking flights, and imagining food, culture, and new places. But very quickly, reality sets in with one important question: What are the visa rules?

Nigeria’s new visa-on-arrival policy has become a major talking point for anyone planning a trip to Africa’s largest economy. In recent years, Nigeria has changed how visitors enter the country, moving away from the traditional visa-on-arrival system and introducing a more digital process.

For tourists, the change has raised questions about ease of travel, preparation, and how Nigeria now compares with other African destinations. One country that often comes up in this conversation is Rwanda, widely praised for having one of the continent’s simplest and most traveller-friendly visa systems.

While Rwanda allows most visitors to get a visa on arrival with little stress, Nigeria has chosen a different path.

In this article, we look at what Nigeria’s new visa approach really means for tourists, how it works in practice, and how it compares with Rwanda’s model. If you’re planning a visit, whether for leisure, culture, or exploration, this guide will help you understand what to expect before you travel.

So What’s the Deal with Nigeria’s New Visa-on-Arrival Policy?

If you’re hoping to show up at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos or Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and get a visa when you land, think again.

As of May 1, 2025, the Nigerian government has phased out the traditional visa-on-arrival system and replaced it with an electronic visa (e-Visa) system. That means most travellers now need to apply online before travel and obtain approval via email before departure.

This includes filling out digital forms and being screened by immigration before you set foot on the plane, so there’s no more showing up and sorting everything out at the airport gate like in the old days.

And yes, this is a big shift for a country that once advertised “visa on arrival” as a way to make travel easier, especially for tourists coming without a Nigerian embassy nearby.

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Why Did Nigeria Change Its Visa Rules?

Photo: Chaman Law Firm.

If you’ve ever booked a flight only to spend hours Googling “Do I need a visa for Nigeria?”, you’re not alone. Over the years, Nigeria has worked to modernise its handling of travel documents.

Here’s the gist of it:

1. Security and Global Standards

Nigeria’s government says it wants improved security checks before tourists arrive, allowing authorities to confirm who’s coming and why. Part of this involves linking visa applications with international security databases.

2. Digital First

Rather than filling out forms on a clipboard at the airport, travellers now submit everything online, and a visa is emailed to them. This is meant to speed things up and reduce bribery, lines, and confusion.

3. Penalties for Overstaying

Under the new rules, there are stricter penalties for overstaying your visa, including fines and possible entry bans if you remain beyond your visa expiry.

The goal is to make entering Nigeria safer and more efficient, but not necessarily easier, depending on who you ask.

What Tourists Should Know Before They Travel

Here’s the practical part, the section you should be bookmarking before booking your flight.

A visa now comes before travel.

Most visitors must now apply online through Nigeria’s e-Visa portal, unlike in the earlier visa-on-arrival setup, where they could obtain one at the airport.

Apply online via Nigeria’s e-Visa portal.
Upload documents and passport scans.
Wait for an email with your approved visa.
Bring a printed version or digital copy to immigration upon arrival.

If you try to hop on a flight without this first-step visa, most airlines won’t let you board. It’s a bit like showing your boarding pass twice, first to get on the plane, then again when you arrive.

Online Forms Are Mandatory

Even before boarding your flight, you must complete digital landing and exit cards online. These replace the old paper forms you used to fill in on board or at the airport.

What Happens to the Old Visa-on-Arrival Approvals?

Any visa-on-arrival approvals issued before May 1, 2025, were valid for a short period afterwards, but after that grace period, they’re no longer accepted.

How This Feels If You’re Planning to Visit

This new system feels a bit like booking a concert ticket online before arriving at the venue, with no surprise entry and no last-minute entry gambles. For some travellers, it’s reassuring. For others, especially those who liked the spontaneity of landing and sorting visas on arrival, it’s a tiny buzzkill.

But don’t worry: it’s not rocket science. If you’re comfortable with online applications, it’s just one extra step before you pack your suitcase.

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Now Let’s Go East: How Rwanda Does Visa On Arrival

Photo: The Sun Nigeria.

If you’re curious why travel bloggers rave about Rwanda, part of the reason is how easy it is to enter.

As it stands today, Rwanda allows citizens of all countries to obtain a visa on arrival, with no prior application required. That’s a big deal for tourists who like flexibility.

Here’s how it works in Rwanda:

Visa-On-Arrival for Everyone

Whether you’re from Europe, Asia, the Americas, or Africa, you can walk up to the border counter and request a visa when you get there. No embassy visits. No forms before departure.

Free Entry for Some

If you’re from certain countries, such as members of the African Union, the Commonwealth, or the Francophonie, you might even get a visa for free for short stays. For East African Community members, you can stay up to six months without paying a cent.

Fees Are Reasonable

For other travellers, visa-on-arrival fees are capped (generally under about $50–$70). That’s lighter on the wallet than some other countries.

Tips for Rwanda

Arrival is fast and straightforward.
You can often pay on the spot with cash or a card.
No advance paperwork for many visitors

That’s dreamy compared to some visa systems, where you need to plan weeks.

Nigeria vs. Rwanda: Which Is Easier for Tourists?

Here’s the unfiltered travel blogger take:

Rwanda Wins for Ease

If ease of entry is your goal, Rwanda’s visa-on-arrival model is chef’s kiss smooth. You land, you smile, you enter, almost like entering Disneyland.

Nigeria’s New System Is Better Than It Sounds

Sure, Nigeria took something away that sounded easy, a visa on arrival, but replaced it with a pre-travel e-Visa that:

Reduces stress at immigration counters
Shortens wait times on arrival.
Connects to global security systems

The trade-off is a bit more planning before travel, but that’s the world we live in now.

More planning does not mean less adventure; it just means booking your visa with your chai latte, not in the airport queue.

Tips for Tourists Visiting Nigeria Now

Photo: McClatchy.

Before you jet off, here are some practical tips:

Start Your Visa Application Early

Apply 1–2 weeks before travel so you don’t feel rushed.

Check your emails often.

Your approved visa will come via email, so spam filters are your enemy.

Print Copies

Download a PDF and keep it in both your phone and suitcase.

Remember the Rules

Nigeria now has penalties for overstaying, fines and possible future bans, so stick to your dates.

Ask Locals or Tour Guides

Rules change, especially in travel, so check current advice before you book anything non-refundable.

FAQs: Nigeria’s New Visa-On-Arrival Policy

Q: Can I still obtain a visa on arrival in Nigeria today?

As of 2025, most tourists no longer receive visas on arrival; instead, they must obtain an e-Visa before travel.

Q: How long does the Nigerian e-Visa take?

In most cases, approvals are expected within 24–48 hours after you submit your online application.

Q: Does everyone need a visa to enter Nigeria?

Yes, unless you are from a country that has a visa abolition treaty with Nigeria (such as some ECOWAS states). Otherwise, you’ll need an e-visa before arrival.

Q: Is Rwanda easier to visit than Nigeria?

For entry formalities, yes, Rwanda’s visa-on-arrival system is simpler and more flexible for most travellers.

Q: Are there penalties for overstaying in Nigeria?

Yes, Nigeria now has stricter rules for overstaying, including fines and possible entry bans.