Nigeria Visa Questions, Answered

A knowledge base covering the Temporary Work Permit, Business Visa on Arrival, STR visas, CERPAC, Expatriate Quota, shore passes, crew changes, refusals and overstays for operators mobilising into Nigerian ports and offshore fields.

Nigeria Visa Basics

• What is Nigeria Visa on Arrival? It is a pre-approved entry facility, not a visa you request at the counter. A Nigerian sponsor applies to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) before you travel, and the approval letter issued is what allows the airline to board you and the immigration officer to endorse your passport on arrival.
• Can I simply land in Lagos and ask for a visa? No. Without a pre-approval letter you will normally be refused boarding at your departure airport, because the airline carries the cost of an inadmissible passenger.
• Which Nigerian visa categories matter most for maritime and energy work? Business Visa on Arrival (BVoA) for non-productive business activity, Temporary Work Permit (TWP) for short hands-on technical work, and the Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa followed by CERPAC for continuing employment.
• Do I need a Nigerian sponsor? For BVoA, TWP, STR and CERPAC, yes. A Nigerian incorporated company must invite you, explain the purpose, and accept immigration responsibility. Self-sponsorship is not available.
• Which airports accept Visa on Arrival travellers? The pre-approval names your intended port of entry. Lagos Murtala Muhammed International and Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International are the routes used most often; Port Harcourt is used for energy-sector arrivals. Travel through the port of entry stated on your approval.
• How much passport validity do I need? Carry a passport with comfortable remaining validity and blank pages for endorsement. Passports close to expiry or without space cause avoidable problems at the desk.
• Do children and accompanying family need their own approvals? Yes. Every traveller needs their own documentation. Dependants of an expatriate employee are handled through dependant applications alongside the principal.
• Does PeaceRyde charge to explain which route I need? No. Route assessment for corporate clients is part of how we start every engagement — tell us the activity, duration and nationality and we will confirm the correct category.

Temporary Work Permit (TWP)

• What is a Temporary Work Permit? A TWP authorises a foreign specialist to carry out short-term, hands-on technical work in Nigeria on the application of a Nigerian company that invites them and accepts responsibility for the assignment.
• What kind of work does a TWP cover? Installation, commissioning, repairs and maintenance, equipment testing, marine and hydrographic survey work, diving supervision, ROV and subsea operations, audits with a technical component, and after-sales support.
• Who can sponsor a TWP? A Nigerian incorporated company with a verifiable address, tax registration, and — where the work is regulated — the relevant sector registrations such as NIMASA, NPA, NCDMB or NUPRC involvement.
• Can I sponsor my own TWP? No. The application is made by the Nigerian sponsor, not the traveller.
• What if my company has no Nigerian entity? Three routes work in practice: the Nigerian client or operator sponsors the permit directly, a licensed Nigerian agent acts as sponsor and immigration coordinator, or you incorporate a Nigerian entity where the work is recurring.
• How long is a TWP valid? It is issued for a short, defined period tied to the assignment described in the application. Where the assignment runs longer, an extension must be filed by the sponsor before the existing permit expires.
• Can a TWP be extended? Extensions within the same category can be applied for by the sponsor. They must be filed before expiry — working on while an extension is "in progress" past the expiry date is an overstay.
• Can a TWP be used for a permanent role? No. Once a role becomes continuous, the correct structure is an Expatriate Quota position, an STR visa obtained abroad, and CERPAC residence documentation after arrival. Repeatedly cycling specialists through short permits to cover a permanent role attracts scrutiny.
• Do I still need a TWP for a two-day job? Yes. The category is determined by the nature of the activity, not its duration. Hands-on technical work requires a work permit however brief the visit.
• What documents does a TWP application need? Passport data page, a letter of invitation from the Nigerian sponsor describing the project and scope, the sponsor's corporate and sector documents, the specialist's CV and technical credentials, a contract or purchase order evidencing the engagement, and travel details.
• Do diving, ROV and subsea crews need a TWP? Yes. Diving supervisors, life support technicians, ROV pilots and subsea inspection specialists are performing productive technical work from the moment they mobilise, regardless of campaign length.
• Does the equipment need clearance as well? Dive spreads, ROV systems, containers and spares typically move under temporary importation arrangements with Nigeria Customs. Crew permits and equipment clearance should be timed together so neither waits on the other.

Business Visa on Arrival (BVoA)

• What does a Business Visa on Arrival allow? Meetings, negotiations, board sessions, conferences, training attendance, commercial site visits, audits and inspections of a commercial nature. It does not authorise hands-on work or income from a Nigerian source.
• What is the difference between BVoA and TWP? BVoA covers non-productive business activity. TWP covers hands-on technical work. Both are endorsed on arrival against a pre-approval, but they authorise entirely different activities and are assessed against different sponsor undertakings.
• Can I do technical work on a business visa? No. This is the most common and most costly mistake foreign contractors make in Nigeria. Worksites are inspected, and the exposure falls on the Nigerian sponsor as well as the visitor.
• Can a BVoA be converted into a work permit? No. A business visa does not become a work authorisation by extension. Where the activity changes, the sponsor must file for the correct category, which may require the traveller to leave and re-enter.
• Is BVoA suitable for attending a vessel inspection? A commercial or pre-purchase inspection where you observe and report is generally business activity. If you will operate equipment, take measurements as part of a survey deliverable, or supervise work, that is technical and needs a TWP.
• How long can I stay on a Business Visa on Arrival? The endorsement states the permitted period. Do not confuse visa validity with the permitted length of stay — they are different things, and confusing them is a frequent cause of overstay.
• Can I use BVoA repeatedly for frequent trips? It is designed for genuine short business visits. A pattern of continuous presence built out of repeated short visits invites questions and is better addressed with the proper long-term structure.

Application Process, Timing and Documents

• How does the Visa on Arrival process actually run? The Nigerian sponsor files on the NIS portal with the letter of invitation; NIS reviews and issues a pre-approval letter naming the traveller, purpose and port of entry; the applicable government fee is paid through the official channel; the traveller carries the letter and travels; on arrival the documents are presented at the Visa on Arrival desk, biometrics are captured and the visa is endorsed.
• How far in advance should we apply? Start as early as your travel plan is firm. Filing close to departure removes any margin for document queries, and rushed files are more likely to be questioned.
• What documents should stay in hand luggage? Passport, printed pre-approval letter, evidence of the government fee payment, letter of invitation with sponsor contacts, return or onward ticket, accommodation details, and any health documentation required at the time of travel. Never pack these in checked baggage.
• Do I need a printed copy of the approval letter? Yes. Airlines check at check-in, and phones fail, run flat or lose connectivity. Carry both.
• Are government fees included in what PeaceRyde does? Official government fees are set by the authorities and are paid through the official channels. Our role is preparing, filing and following the application and supporting you on arrival.
• What happens at the airport on arrival? Go to the Visa on Arrival desk, which sits ahead of the main immigration counters. Present the pre-approval letter, passport, payment evidence and supporting documents; biometrics are captured; the visa is endorsed; then continue through the ordinary immigration counters to baggage and customs.
• Where do travellers most often get delayed? Approval letter left in checked baggage, unclear payment evidence, details on the letter not matching the passport exactly, joining the general immigration queue by mistake, and describing a purpose in conversation that does not match the visa category.
• Is airport meet and greet worth arranging? For first-time visitors, overnight arrivals and crew on tight connections it removes most of the friction, and it means someone on the ground can reach the sponsor immediately if a query arises.
• Can someone meet me before immigration? Reception arrangements depend on the airport and the access permitted on the day. We meet travellers at the arrival area and support them through the Visa on Arrival desk and onward transfer.

Crew, Seafarers and Vessel Operations

• Do I need a visa to join a ship in Nigeria? If you fly into Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt to join a vessel, yes — arriving by air is an entry into Nigeria and requires pre-approved entry documentation arranged by the sponsoring agent or operator before travel.
• Do seafarers need a visa for shore leave? A seafarer who remains attached to the vessel and steps ashore briefly is normally handled through a shore pass arranged by the ship agent. A seafarer who signs off and travels onward through a Nigerian airport is entering the country and needs proper entry documentation.
• What does a shore pass cover? It is time-bound and tied to the vessel call. It does not authorise work ashore or onward domestic travel, and terminal access rules still apply.
• Is Onne different from other terminals? Onne operates under an oil and gas free zone framework with its own access regime, so port access has to be arranged in advance rather than assumed.
• How long does a crew change take at a Nigerian port? It depends on vessel schedule, berth or anchorage position, terminal access, flight connections and whether documentation was prepared before arrival. Crew changes prepared in advance move considerably faster than those started once the vessel is alongside.
• What does the agent need for a crew change? An accurate crew list matching passports and seafarer documents, completed inward clearance, sign-on and sign-off documentation, flight details, and terminal access and transfer arrangements.
• What happens if a crew member is medically repatriated? Medical repatriations are handled as an urgent sign-off: immigration position, medical documentation, transfer and flight arrangements are coordinated together with the master, the operator and the port authorities.
• Do ECOWAS crew still need agent coordination? Yes. Entry is simplified for ECOWAS nationals, but crew lists, sign-on documentation, port access and shore passes are handled the same way for all nationalities.

STR Visa, CERPAC and Expatriate Quota

• What is an STR visa? Subject to Regularisation — the entry visa for a foreign national taking up employment in Nigeria. It is obtained at a Nigerian mission abroad and is regularised into residence documentation after arrival.
• Can an STR visa be issued on arrival? No. STR must be obtained from a Nigerian embassy or high commission before travel. Only pre-approved BVoA and TWP categories are endorsed at the airport.
• What is CERPAC? The Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card — the residence document issued to a foreign national living and working in Nigeria. A visa gets you in; CERPAC makes continued residence lawful.
• Who needs CERPAC? Expatriates employed against an approved quota position, resident foreign directors and senior managers, and accompanying spouses and dependants, who receive dependant cards. Short-term visitors on TWP or BVoA do not.
• What is an Expatriate Quota? A government approval allowing a Nigerian company to employ a specified number of foreign nationals in named positions. It is granted to the company, not the individual, and underpins the STR and CERPAC route.
• What are understudy obligations? Quota positions come with an expectation that Nigerians are being trained to take over. Companies nominate understudies and keep training records, which connects directly to Nigerian Content obligations administered by NCDMB in marine and energy work.
• What is the full sequence for a long-term hire? Expatriate Quota position → STR visa obtained abroad → arrival in Nigeria → regularisation filed within the permitted window → CERPAC issued → renewals maintained before expiry.
• What if regularisation is not filed after arrival? The employee falls out of status despite entering lawfully. Penalties can follow for both the individual and the employer, and later filings become harder.
• Can I change employer while holding CERPAC? Not automatically. The card is tied to the employer and quota position it was issued against, so the new employer must have a quota slot and the immigration position must be re-established.
• Can my family join me? Yes. Spouses and children are handled as dependants, and it is cleaner to prepare their applications alongside the principal rather than afterwards — particularly where school enrolment dates matter.

Refusals, Overstays and Compliance

• Why was my Nigerian visa application refused? The recurring causes are a sponsor without verifiable substance, the wrong category for the activity described, documents that disagree with each other, a vague purpose statement, filing too close to travel, and prior immigration breaches.
• Can I re-apply immediately after a refusal? You can, but only after correcting the underlying issue. Re-submitting the same pack typically produces the same outcome.
• What happens if I overstay a Nigerian visa? The overstay is recorded against you and is normally dealt with at departure, which commonly delays travel and can mean a missed flight. Financial penalties, adverse notes affecting future applications and, in serious cases, enforcement action can follow.
• Is the sponsor affected by my overstay? Yes. Nigerian sponsors accept immigration responsibility when they invite a visitor, so an overstay reflects on the sponsoring company and can affect how its future applications are treated.
• Our project has run past the permit expiry — what now? File the extension as soon as the slippage is known and before the permit expires. Where expiry has already passed, regularise deliberately with sponsor support rather than discovering it at the airport.
• Do immigration officers really inspect worksites? Yes. Worksite and vessel inspections happen, and a visitor performing technical work on a business visa is a straightforward finding against both the individual and the sponsor.
• How do we prevent overstays across a large crew? Track every traveller against a single expiry register, diarise a review point well before expiry, and treat extension filings as part of the project schedule rather than an administrative afterthought.

Nationality, ECOWAS and Special Cases

• Do ECOWAS citizens need a visa for Nigeria? No. Under the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, citizens of member states may enter without a visa for up to 90 days on a valid travel document.
• Can ECOWAS citizens work in Nigeria without a permit? No. Free movement is a right of entry, not a right to reside or work. Employment still requires the correct immigration and residence position.
• What if my country has no Nigerian embassy? This is one of the situations the Visa on Arrival facility exists for. A Nigerian sponsor applies on your behalf and you travel on the pre-approval.
• Do I need a visa if I am only transiting Nigeria? It depends on whether you remain airside and on your routing. Confirm the position before booking rather than assuming a transit is exempt — a change of airport or an overnight connection changes the answer.
• What about dual nationals? Travel consistently on one passport throughout the application, boarding and arrival. Mismatches between the passport used to apply and the passport presented at the desk cause delays.
• Are health documents required on entry? Health documentation requirements apply as published at the time of travel and are checked separately from your visa position. Confirm current requirements before departure.

Working With PeaceRyde

• Can PeaceRyde act as our Nigerian sponsor? Yes. PeaceRyde Logistics Limited is a Nigerian incorporated company and acts as sponsor and immigration coordinator for foreign marine, subsea, diving and energy contractors.
• What visa services do you handle? Temporary Work Permit and Business Visa on Arrival applications, STR visa preparation, regularisation and CERPAC, dependant cards, Expatriate Quota advisory, permit extensions, shore passes and crew sign-on/sign-off documentation.
• Do you meet travellers at the airport? Yes. We meet travellers at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport and other entry points, support them through the Visa on Arrival desk, and arrange onward transfer to hotel, port or heliport.
• Which ports do you cover? Lagos (Apapa and Tin Can), Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar, Bonny and Brass, under one coordinated agency.
• How quickly can you start? Send us the vessel details, ETA and crew list and we will confirm the requirements and documentation needed, then begin preparing the filings.
• Can you review an application another agent filed? Yes. We review failed or stalled applications, identify the actual driver, rebuild the sponsor and purpose documentation and re-file under a Nigerian incorporated sponsor with verifiable sector registrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nigeria Visa on Arrival?

It is a pre-approved entry facility, not a visa you request at the counter. A Nigerian sponsor applies to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) before you travel, and the approval letter issued is what allows the airline to board you and the immigration officer to endorse your passport on arrival.

Can I simply land in Lagos and ask for a visa?

No. Without a pre-approval letter you will normally be refused boarding at your departure airport, because the airline carries the cost of an inadmissible passenger.

Which Nigerian visa categories matter most for maritime and energy work?

Business Visa on Arrival (BVoA) for non-productive business activity, Temporary Work Permit (TWP) for short hands-on technical work, and the Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa followed by CERPAC for continuing employment.

Do I need a Nigerian sponsor?

For BVoA, TWP, STR and CERPAC, yes. A Nigerian incorporated company must invite you, explain the purpose, and accept immigration responsibility. Self-sponsorship is not available.

Which airports accept Visa on Arrival travellers?

The pre-approval names your intended port of entry. Lagos Murtala Muhammed International and Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International are the routes used most often; Port Harcourt is used for energy-sector arrivals. Travel through the port of entry stated on your approval.

How much passport validity do I need?

Carry a passport with comfortable remaining validity and blank pages for endorsement. Passports close to expiry or without space cause avoidable problems at the desk.

Do children and accompanying family need their own approvals?

Yes. Every traveller needs their own documentation. Dependants of an expatriate employee are handled through dependant applications alongside the principal.

Does PeaceRyde charge to explain which route I need?

No. Route assessment for corporate clients is part of how we start every engagement — tell us the activity, duration and nationality and we will confirm the correct category.

What is a Temporary Work Permit?

A TWP authorises a foreign specialist to carry out short-term, hands-on technical work in Nigeria on the application of a Nigerian company that invites them and accepts responsibility for the assignment.

What kind of work does a TWP cover?

Installation, commissioning, repairs and maintenance, equipment testing, marine and hydrographic survey work, diving supervision, ROV and subsea operations, audits with a technical component, and after-sales support.

Who can sponsor a TWP?

A Nigerian incorporated company with a verifiable address, tax registration, and — where the work is regulated — the relevant sector registrations such as NIMASA, NPA, NCDMB or NUPRC involvement.

Can I sponsor my own TWP?

No. The application is made by the Nigerian sponsor, not the traveller.

What if my company has no Nigerian entity?

Three routes work in practice: the Nigerian client or operator sponsors the permit directly, a licensed Nigerian agent acts as sponsor and immigration coordinator, or you incorporate a Nigerian entity where the work is recurring.

How long is a TWP valid?

It is issued for a short, defined period tied to the assignment described in the application. Where the assignment runs longer, an extension must be filed by the sponsor before the existing permit expires.

Can a TWP be extended?

Extensions within the same category can be applied for by the sponsor. They must be filed before expiry — working on while an extension is "in progress" past the expiry date is an overstay.

Can a TWP be used for a permanent role?

No. Once a role becomes continuous, the correct structure is an Expatriate Quota position, an STR visa obtained abroad, and CERPAC residence documentation after arrival. Repeatedly cycling specialists through short permits to cover a permanent role attracts scrutiny.

Do I still need a TWP for a two-day job?

Yes. The category is determined by the nature of the activity, not its duration. Hands-on technical work requires a work permit however brief the visit.

What documents does a TWP application need?

Passport data page, a letter of invitation from the Nigerian sponsor describing the project and scope, the sponsor's corporate and sector documents, the specialist's CV and technical credentials, a contract or purchase order evidencing the engagement, and travel details.

Do diving, ROV and subsea crews need a TWP?

Yes. Diving supervisors, life support technicians, ROV pilots and subsea inspection specialists are performing productive technical work from the moment they mobilise, regardless of campaign length.

Does the equipment need clearance as well?

Dive spreads, ROV systems, containers and spares typically move under temporary importation arrangements with Nigeria Customs. Crew permits and equipment clearance should be timed together so neither waits on the other.

What does a Business Visa on Arrival allow?

Meetings, negotiations, board sessions, conferences, training attendance, commercial site visits, audits and inspections of a commercial nature. It does not authorise hands-on work or income from a Nigerian source.

What is the difference between BVoA and TWP?

BVoA covers non-productive business activity. TWP covers hands-on technical work. Both are endorsed on arrival against a pre-approval, but they authorise entirely different activities and are assessed against different sponsor undertakings.

Can I do technical work on a business visa?

No. This is the most common and most costly mistake foreign contractors make in Nigeria. Worksites are inspected, and the exposure falls on the Nigerian sponsor as well as the visitor.

Can a BVoA be converted into a work permit?

No. A business visa does not become a work authorisation by extension. Where the activity changes, the sponsor must file for the correct category, which may require the traveller to leave and re-enter.

Is BVoA suitable for attending a vessel inspection?

A commercial or pre-purchase inspection where you observe and report is generally business activity. If you will operate equipment, take measurements as part of a survey deliverable, or supervise work, that is technical and needs a TWP.

How long can I stay on a Business Visa on Arrival?

The endorsement states the permitted period. Do not confuse visa validity with the permitted length of stay — they are different things, and confusing them is a frequent cause of overstay.

Can I use BVoA repeatedly for frequent trips?

It is designed for genuine short business visits. A pattern of continuous presence built out of repeated short visits invites questions and is better addressed with the proper long-term structure.

How does the Visa on Arrival process actually run?

The Nigerian sponsor files on the NIS portal with the letter of invitation; NIS reviews and issues a pre-approval letter naming the traveller, purpose and port of entry; the applicable government fee is paid through the official channel; the traveller carries the letter and travels; on arrival the documents are presented at the Visa on Arrival desk, biometrics are captured and the visa is endorsed.

How far in advance should we apply?

Start as early as your travel plan is firm. Filing close to departure removes any margin for document queries, and rushed files are more likely to be questioned.

What documents should stay in hand luggage?

Passport, printed pre-approval letter, evidence of the government fee payment, letter of invitation with sponsor contacts, return or onward ticket, accommodation details, and any health documentation required at the time of travel. Never pack these in checked baggage.

Do I need a printed copy of the approval letter?

Yes. Airlines check at check-in, and phones fail, run flat or lose connectivity. Carry both.

Are government fees included in what PeaceRyde does?

Official government fees are set by the authorities and are paid through the official channels. Our role is preparing, filing and following the application and supporting you on arrival.

What happens at the airport on arrival?

Go to the Visa on Arrival desk, which sits ahead of the main immigration counters. Present the pre-approval letter, passport, payment evidence and supporting documents; biometrics are captured; the visa is endorsed; then continue through the ordinary immigration counters to baggage and customs.

Where do travellers most often get delayed?

Approval letter left in checked baggage, unclear payment evidence, details on the letter not matching the passport exactly, joining the general immigration queue by mistake, and describing a purpose in conversation that does not match the visa category.

Is airport meet and greet worth arranging?

For first-time visitors, overnight arrivals and crew on tight connections it removes most of the friction, and it means someone on the ground can reach the sponsor immediately if a query arises.

Can someone meet me before immigration?

Reception arrangements depend on the airport and the access permitted on the day. We meet travellers at the arrival area and support them through the Visa on Arrival desk and onward transfer.

Do I need a visa to join a ship in Nigeria?

If you fly into Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt to join a vessel, yes — arriving by air is an entry into Nigeria and requires pre-approved entry documentation arranged by the sponsoring agent or operator before travel.

Do seafarers need a visa for shore leave?

A seafarer who remains attached to the vessel and steps ashore briefly is normally handled through a shore pass arranged by the ship agent. A seafarer who signs off and travels onward through a Nigerian airport is entering the country and needs proper entry documentation.

What does a shore pass cover?

It is time-bound and tied to the vessel call. It does not authorise work ashore or onward domestic travel, and terminal access rules still apply.

Is Onne different from other terminals?

Onne operates under an oil and gas free zone framework with its own access regime, so port access has to be arranged in advance rather than assumed.

How long does a crew change take at a Nigerian port?

It depends on vessel schedule, berth or anchorage position, terminal access, flight connections and whether documentation was prepared before arrival. Crew changes prepared in advance move considerably faster than those started once the vessel is alongside.

What does the agent need for a crew change?

An accurate crew list matching passports and seafarer documents, completed inward clearance, sign-on and sign-off documentation, flight details, and terminal access and transfer arrangements.

What happens if a crew member is medically repatriated?

Medical repatriations are handled as an urgent sign-off: immigration position, medical documentation, transfer and flight arrangements are coordinated together with the master, the operator and the port authorities.

Do ECOWAS crew still need agent coordination?

Yes. Entry is simplified for ECOWAS nationals, but crew lists, sign-on documentation, port access and shore passes are handled the same way for all nationalities.

What is an STR visa?

Subject to Regularisation — the entry visa for a foreign national taking up employment in Nigeria. It is obtained at a Nigerian mission abroad and is regularised into residence documentation after arrival.

Can an STR visa be issued on arrival?

No. STR must be obtained from a Nigerian embassy or high commission before travel. Only pre-approved BVoA and TWP categories are endorsed at the airport.

What is CERPAC?

The Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card — the residence document issued to a foreign national living and working in Nigeria. A visa gets you in; CERPAC makes continued residence lawful.

Who needs CERPAC?

Expatriates employed against an approved quota position, resident foreign directors and senior managers, and accompanying spouses and dependants, who receive dependant cards. Short-term visitors on TWP or BVoA do not.

What is an Expatriate Quota?

A government approval allowing a Nigerian company to employ a specified number of foreign nationals in named positions. It is granted to the company, not the individual, and underpins the STR and CERPAC route.

What are understudy obligations?

Quota positions come with an expectation that Nigerians are being trained to take over. Companies nominate understudies and keep training records, which connects directly to Nigerian Content obligations administered by NCDMB in marine and energy work.

What is the full sequence for a long-term hire?

Expatriate Quota position → STR visa obtained abroad → arrival in Nigeria → regularisation filed within the permitted window → CERPAC issued → renewals maintained before expiry.

What if regularisation is not filed after arrival?

The employee falls out of status despite entering lawfully. Penalties can follow for both the individual and the employer, and later filings become harder.

Can I change employer while holding CERPAC?

Not automatically. The card is tied to the employer and quota position it was issued against, so the new employer must have a quota slot and the immigration position must be re-established.

Can my family join me?

Yes. Spouses and children are handled as dependants, and it is cleaner to prepare their applications alongside the principal rather than afterwards — particularly where school enrolment dates matter.

Why was my Nigerian visa application refused?

The recurring causes are a sponsor without verifiable substance, the wrong category for the activity described, documents that disagree with each other, a vague purpose statement, filing too close to travel, and prior immigration breaches.

Can I re-apply immediately after a refusal?

You can, but only after correcting the underlying issue. Re-submitting the same pack typically produces the same outcome.

What happens if I overstay a Nigerian visa?

The overstay is recorded against you and is normally dealt with at departure, which commonly delays travel and can mean a missed flight. Financial penalties, adverse notes affecting future applications and, in serious cases, enforcement action can follow.

Is the sponsor affected by my overstay?

Yes. Nigerian sponsors accept immigration responsibility when they invite a visitor, so an overstay reflects on the sponsoring company and can affect how its future applications are treated.

Our project has run past the permit expiry — what now?

File the extension as soon as the slippage is known and before the permit expires. Where expiry has already passed, regularise deliberately with sponsor support rather than discovering it at the airport.

Do immigration officers really inspect worksites?

Yes. Worksite and vessel inspections happen, and a visitor performing technical work on a business visa is a straightforward finding against both the individual and the sponsor.

How do we prevent overstays across a large crew?

Track every traveller against a single expiry register, diarise a review point well before expiry, and treat extension filings as part of the project schedule rather than an administrative afterthought.

Do ECOWAS citizens need a visa for Nigeria?

No. Under the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, citizens of member states may enter without a visa for up to 90 days on a valid travel document.

Can ECOWAS citizens work in Nigeria without a permit?

No. Free movement is a right of entry, not a right to reside or work. Employment still requires the correct immigration and residence position.

What if my country has no Nigerian embassy?

This is one of the situations the Visa on Arrival facility exists for. A Nigerian sponsor applies on your behalf and you travel on the pre-approval.

Do I need a visa if I am only transiting Nigeria?

It depends on whether you remain airside and on your routing. Confirm the position before booking rather than assuming a transit is exempt — a change of airport or an overnight connection changes the answer.

What about dual nationals?

Travel consistently on one passport throughout the application, boarding and arrival. Mismatches between the passport used to apply and the passport presented at the desk cause delays.

Are health documents required on entry?

Health documentation requirements apply as published at the time of travel and are checked separately from your visa position. Confirm current requirements before departure.

Can PeaceRyde act as our Nigerian sponsor?

Yes. PeaceRyde Logistics Limited is a Nigerian incorporated company and acts as sponsor and immigration coordinator for foreign marine, subsea, diving and energy contractors.

What visa services do you handle?

Temporary Work Permit and Business Visa on Arrival applications, STR visa preparation, regularisation and CERPAC, dependant cards, Expatriate Quota advisory, permit extensions, shore passes and crew sign-on/sign-off documentation.

Do you meet travellers at the airport?

Yes. We meet travellers at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport and other entry points, support them through the Visa on Arrival desk, and arrange onward transfer to hotel, port or heliport.

Which ports do you cover?

Lagos (Apapa and Tin Can), Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar, Bonny and Brass, under one coordinated agency.

How quickly can you start?

Send us the vessel details, ETA and crew list and we will confirm the requirements and documentation needed, then begin preparing the filings.

Can you review an application another agent filed?

Yes. We review failed or stalled applications, identify the actual driver, rebuild the sponsor and purpose documentation and re-file under a Nigerian incorporated sponsor with verifiable sector registrations.