Discover how to obtain a visa on arrival for newborns in Nigeria.
If you recently gave birth abroad and need a visa for your child to return to Nigeria, this article is for you.
Learn about the process, required documents, and options available. Get ready to bring your child to Nigeria for the first time.
As a Nigerian parent living overseas, the joy of welcoming a new life is immeasurable, but it may also bring some concerns.
If you’ve had a baby abroad, you may wonder how to bring them to Nigeria for the first time.
This comprehensive guide is here to take you through every step you need to follow to obtain a Visa on Arrival for your newborn in Nigeria.
Why This Guide?
Nigeria, like other countries, doesn’t automatically grant citizenship to a child born to Nigerian parents outside Nigeria.
This means that until your child receives a Nigerian passport, they aren’t officially recognized as Nigerian citizens.
Therefore, to bring your child to Nigeria, you’ll need a Visa on Arrival for the newborn, which we’ll guide you through in this article.
Options to Obtain a Nigerian Visa on Arrival for Infants Born Overseas
There are two viable routes to obtaining a visa for your newborn:
Apply Through the Nigerian Embassy in Your Home Country
One of the routes to obtaining a Nigerian visa on arrival for your newborn is through the Nigerian embassy in your home country.
If you prefer a relaxed approach and are comfortable with a flexible timeline, this option might be more convenient for you.
Apply via an Agent to the Immigration Service in Nigeria
If you prefer a faster and more reliable process, using an agent to apply to the Nigerian Immigration Service might be the better choice. Let’s break down this process further.
Obtaining a Nigeria Visa on Arrival via an Agent
The Documents You Need
- To initiate the visa-on-arrival process for your newborn, you’ll require valid passports (with a minimum validity of six months) for the mother, father, and child.
- The bio-data page of the baby’s passport.
- Bio-data pages of both parents’ passports.
- A letter of consent signed by both parents (make sure the signatures match those on the international passports).
- Two passport-sized photographs of the baby.
An application letter from the parents to the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service.
The Process
Once you have all these documents, your chosen agent can commence the process of obtaining the visa on arrival.
The agent will submit your application letter alongside a formal request for a visa on arrival to the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Typically, within 48 hours, the agency will issue a Visa on Arrival approval letter, which will be emailed to you.
Arriving in Nigeria with Your Newborn
Armed with the approval letter, you can confidently fly to Nigeria with your newborn.
Upon arrival, head to the “Visa on Arrival” desk and present your approval letter to the Nigerian Immigration Service at the airport.
Afterward, you’ll be directed to pay for the visa.
Note that visa fees differ based on the child’s nationality. For a detailed rundown on visa fees, refer to our article on “Nigeria Visa Fees for Foreigners.”
Once these steps are done, your baby will be granted a visa on arrival, and you can start your adventure in Nigeria as a family
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