Visa rules Nigerians need to know for top travel destinations in 2026

Nigeria’s travel landscape has reached an inflection point in 2026, driven by a growing appetite among Nigerians to travel abroad despite tightening and rapidly changing immigration policies. According to the Value of Air Transport to Nigeria report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), international air travel recorded 2.1 million passenger departures in 2023.

This surge in mobility is echoed in the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact 2024 report, which highlights a record-breaking rebound in global travel demand, as Nigerians increasingly view international travel as a non-negotiable component of their professional and personal growth. 

This guide covers visa requirements for the countries most travelled to by Nigerians, based on IATA and WTTC data: the United Kingdom, Ghana, Canada, the United States, South Africa, and Ethiopia.

In the following sections, we break down official visa fees, required service charges, verified government websites to help avoid third-party scams, and the typical processing timelines for each destination.

1. United Kingdom

1. Ghana

Visa requirements for Nigerians 

Under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Nigerian citizens don’t require a VISA to travel to Ghana.

3. Canada

Visa requirements for Nigerians 

Canada has implemented stricter caps on international students for 2026 to manage housing and infrastructure pressures. 

4. United States

Visa requirements for Nigerians

The primary entry point for foreign nationals seeking short-term travel for tourism or business is the B-1/B-2 visitor visa. 

The year 2026 marks a period of significant restriction for new Nigerian applicants due to the suspension of visa processing for immigrants coming from 75 countries, including Nigeria. This came after the Presidential Proclamation 10998, which significantly expanded U.S. travel restrictions, halting most visa issuance and entry for nationals of 19 countries, and the Visa Bond Pilot Program, which requires a specific bond amount to be paid for a visa.

5. South Africa

Visa requirements for Nigerians 

Nigeria is not on South Africa’s visa-exempt list; all travelers must apply via the VFS Global centers or the e-Visa portal.

6. Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a major aviation hub for Nigerians, with Addis Ababa serving as a primary transit point for those flying to Europe, Asia, and North America.

Since late 2022, Ethiopia has suspended visa-on-arrival for many nationalities, including Nigerians. All travelers must now obtain an e-visa or a physical visa from the embassy before departure.