Can I Travel to Nigeria with an Expired Passport?

Traveling to Nigeria with an expired passport could be a contingency plan. Listed among the “Next Eleven” Economies in the world to watch, Nigeria is an oil-rich state in West Africa that offers great economic potential through its natural resources, the depth of its market, and the richness of its human capital. Nigeria has over 200 indigenous ethnicities that speak over 400 languages that makes her possibly the most culturally rich and diverse nation in the world. Her population of about 200 million people makes her the most populous country in Africa.

As one would expect from such a potentially rich country, there is a high amount of interest in travelling to Nigeria; so much so that many want to know if they can travel to Nigeria with expired passports. Sometimes an urgent business may make it unpleasant to wait for a visa application to be approved, or sometimes it may not be possible to apply for a new passport.

So

Can I travel to Nigeria with an expired passport?

Passport requirements for travelling to Nigeria are a little different depending on your identity and nationality. If you are a Nigerian citizen who has been away from the country, and now wishes to return, you may board a plane and return home even with an expired passport. This has been your right as a Nigerian since the rules were modified in 2021.

Former Nigerian nationals have a similar advantage: 

Former Nigerians who are now US nationals: United States citizens must ordinarily have a passport valid for six months after the date of arrival, as well as a visa.   However, no visa is required for former nationals of Nigeria with a valid foreign passport and an expired authentic Nigerian passport.

Former Nigerians who are now UK nationals: British citizens must ordinarily have a passport valid for six months after the date of arrival, as well as a visa. However, no visa is required for former nationals of Nigeria with a valid foreign passport and an expired authentic Nigerian passport.

Former Nigerians who are now Canadian nationals: Canadians must ordinarily have a passport valid for six months after the date of arrival, as well as a visa. However, no visa is required for former nationals of Nigeria with a valid foreign passport and an expired authentic Nigerian passport.

Former Nigerians who are now Australian nationals: Australians must ordinarily have a passport valid for six months after the date of arrival, as well as a visa. However, no visa is required for former nationals of Nigeria with a valid foreign passport and an expired authentic Nigerian passport.

Former Nigerians who are now South African nationals: South Africans must ordinarily have a passport valid for six months after the date of arrival, as well as a visa. However, no visa is required for former nationals of Nigeria with a valid foreign passport and an expired authentic Nigerian passport.

Former Nigerians who are now Irish nationals: Irish citizens must ordinarily have a passport valid for six months after the date of arrival, as well as a visa. However, no visa is required for former nationals of Nigeria with a valid foreign passport and an expired authentic Nigerian passport.

Former Nigerians who are now New Zealand nationals: New Zealand citizens must ordinarily have a passport valid for six months after the date of arrival, as well as a visa. However, no visa is required for former nationals of Nigeria with a valid foreign passport and an expired authentic Nigerian passport.

If you are not a Nigerian national, or a former Nigerian citizen who now holds a foreign passport, then please follow the following steps to legally enter the Federal Republic of Nigeria:

First, get a passport. If you already have a passport, make sure it has more than 6 months to run before expiry. This is because the Nigerian government requires you to have at least 6 months on your passport. Again, if your passport has less than 6 months to run, you will need a new one.

The agency charged with granting access into Nigeria is the Nigeria immigration service. Therefore, after you have obtained a passport the next thing is to apply to the Nigerian immigration service for a visa. You can do this online at www.portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/freshVisa. please fill in the application form with the correct information, and check the box that says ‘I ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS FORM.’

After that please click the button that says ‘Submit Application.’ Thereafter you will find the button that says ‘Proceed to Online Payment.’ Please click it, and then you will find the payment page. Please note that all prices are quoted in dollars, but you can pay with your local ATM issued by your local bank, and bearing the marks ‘Mastercard,’ or ‘Visa.’ 

After that, please ensure that you print out the receipt of payment or the e-visa. You may then be required to visit the Nigerian embassy in your country to get your visa. Please take your passport (with at least 6 months validity post visa approval) as well as 2 passport-sized photographs, your receipt of payment, and if you are going to Nigeria for business, also have a letter of invitation from your partners, or employer. 

When you land in Nigeria; ensure that you are staying at a safe hotel or accommodation. Generally, the south of the country is free from banditry and terrorism, but there is as much petty crime as you can find in the western world. 

Related:

• Nigerian Passport Renewal In Houston Tx
• Easiest Ways To Get An American Visa From Nigeria
• Nigerian Passport Renewal In USA

Conclusion:

As you have seen; depending on your status or nationality it is possible to enter Nigeria with an expired passport. Many who come into Nigeria fail to plan for their communication needs; please keep in mind that obtaining a prepaid SIM card in Nigeria at the moment can be quite a hassle; you may however roam with your existing network provider at additional costs. Furthermore, please ensure that you are vaccinated against all the highly contagious diseases; Nigeria still has a fluid public healthcare system.