People moving from one jurisdiction to another to conduct business or seek employment has become imminent in today’s age of globalization. Countries have formed economic blocks such as the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to guarantee the free movement of goods and people. Nevertheless, like most countries, foreigners seeking to come into Nigeria for business purposes require business visas.
A business visa is for tasks that cannot be considered work or gainful employment
Business visas Nigeria
Technically, a business visa is meant for business relations and meetings that do not involve anything that could be considered labour or gainful employment. What this means is a business visa is not an employer-employee type of visa and is solely given to a foreigner to conduct business in Nigeria.
A business visa is one of the Nigeria visas types issued to foreigners by the Nigerian Immigration Service. It is a major immigration requirement of an expatriate intending to conduct business in Nigeria. Applications must be made at a Nigerian Diplomatic Mission, and a foreigner wishing to come to Nigeria for business must have a valid visiting permit not exceeding 90 days.
Business Visa Classes
There are different class of business visas that can be granted to an applicant by the Nigerian government which are
- Business Visa with Single Entry
- Business Visa with Multiple Entry
- Frequently Travelled Executive Visa
Business Activities That Determine Eligibility For A Business Visa
All persons who engage in certain business activities may apply for a business visa provided that they are not on the ban list or members of ECOWAS who do not require a business visa to do business in Nigeria. Foreigners who wish to visit Nigeria may apply to the Nigerian Immigration Services for a business visa to conduct the following business activities:
- To attend a meeting
- conference
- seminar
- contract negotiation
- marketing
- sales
- procurement of Nigerian goods
- services
- trade fairs
- and job interviews
- A business visa also applies to airline and ships’ crew members, the staff of NGOs, INGOs and researchers.
Once an expatriate has obtained a business visa from the Nigerian Embassy/High Commission in their jurisdiction, the next step is to obtain a business permit, which will enable them to conduct business in Nigeria.
The business visa is valid for not more than 90 days from the date of issuance.
Documents Required
The following are the documents required when applying for a business visa in Nigeria:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 blank Visa pages for endorsement
- Two (2) recent passport-sized (35x40mm) photographs
- Return Ticket
- Evidence of sufficient funds
- Evidence of hotel reservation/host address in Nigeria
- Completed visa application form
- Nigeria Immigration Service Visa Payment Receipt and Visa Acknowledgement
Procedure For Applying For A Nigerian Business Visa
The following are the procedures to follow when applying for a business visa in Nigeria:
- Visit the Homepage of the Nigerian Immigration Portal (immigration.gov.ng.)
- Click on the business visa application form to start the process.
- Log in and complete the online visa application and print the completed form (Visa Form IMM22).
- Pay online through the e-Portal system and print payment receipts.
- Affix 2 passport-sized photographs to completed Visa Form IMM22, along with the other requirements, and submit through any of the following:
- Via Post or in person to the Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of Nigeria where an applicant is Resident or,
- In person at the designated Visa Application Centre (where applicable).
Conclusion
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has made the application process for obtaining a business visa in Nigeria easier and more efficient. A foreigner need only to fill out the appropriate application form, pay the prescribed fees and submit the necessary documents through the appropriate channel. Where you are in doubt, you can contact us for further information on the business visa application process and how we can assist you. Contact us today.
