The Nigerian Embassy London: Where to Find It, Process for Applying for a Visa
The Nigerian Embassy London: Where to Find It, Process for Applying for a Visa
The Nigerian Embassy London is one of the most popular and well-known embassies in London. It offers a range of services to Nigerians, including issuing visas for Nigerians seeking to visit or live in Nigeria. The process can be long and complicated depending on whether you are applying for a business visa, tourist visa, or student/exchange visitor visa. We'll take you through each step so that your application goes as smoothly as possible.
The Nigerian embassy has been operating since 1961 and provides consular services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Section 1: What are the services offered by the Nigerian Embassy London?
The Nigerian embassy has been operating since 1961 and provides consular services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Section 2: Where is the Nigerian Embassy London?
The Nigerian embassy is in London, UK, at 9 Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5BX.
Section 3: How long does the process take to get an official visa?
The visa application process starts from 7 days before your planned travel date. So, that's from Friday 1st August to Thursday 5th September. The application process can take up to a month, though, depending on your needs.
This is why Nigerians are advised to register for a service card and apply early so that you don't miss out on a visa.
How to apply for a Nigerian Visa
The process for applying for a Nigerian visa begins with sending an application for it via registered mail to the embassy. The mailed application is accompanied by a Naira equivalent of £10 (N400) as a covering letter for safe-keeping.
Next, the embassy will process the application and forward it to the Nigeria Immigration Service for travel authorisation. You will need to apply for a visa when you have the required passport type and has traveled to Nigeria on a previous trip or when you intend to visit Nigeria within 3 months or less.
Also, you need to register for e-visa before you can apply for a Nigerian visa. The e-visa service allows applicants to apply for a visa without travelling to the embassy.
Step by step process for applying for a Nigerian visa:
1.
What are the different types of visas available?
There are 3 types of visas available. The first, and most common, is the business visa. This is what you need if you are planning on setting up a business in Nigeria. It allows you to stay for up to 90 days in Nigeria for your business purposes and it's valid for a maximum of 6 months.
A business visa: this type of visa is for a non-immigrant visitor for your company (minimum 2 persons), and you are not required to live with your visa holder.
A tourist visa: this type of visa is for any non-immigrant visitors who are only temporarily in the UK, i.e. holidaymakers.
Business Visa
It's important to note that the process for applying for a business visa is separate from applying for a visitor visa. It will be a lengthy process and will likely require that you submit a substantial amount of supporting information. Read more about the process here.
How much will the process cost?
Most consular services will cost you £270. If you are an asylum seeker, or were born in Nigeria before 1983, you can apply for emergency British or EU citizenship without the need to go through a visa application.
How do I apply for a Business visa?
Firstly, you will need to enter a visa application form online at http://www.nigerianembassy.org. You will then need to create an account with the Nigerian Embassy, where you will fill in your personal details and the specifics of your visit.
Tourist Visa
For business trips, Nigerians seeking a business visa to travel to Nigeria can go to the Nigerian embassy in the United Kingdom for assistance. To process for a one year business visa for a visit to Nigeria, a Nigerians applicant needs to submit all the required documents in the prescribed order, and present the appropriate fees. The fees can be paid using the online payment portal or through bank transfer.
Visit the Nigerian embassy in London for a list of visa application forms and prices.
When visiting the embassy, make sure to bring along all required documents and photo ID. A police report is needed for applicants in case of any major incident whilst in Nigeria.
Student/Exchange Visitor Visa
The student/exchange visitor visa is one of the easiest to obtain because it is usually issued within 2 weeks of applying, and does not require you to undergo a medical examination or a criminal background check. It is used by international students and exchange students to travel to and study in Nigeria.
The student/exchange visitor visa comes with some conditions however:
Students are only permitted to visit Nigeria for a maximum of 2 months during a visit.
Students must be sponsored by a recognized organization. This is to prevent fraud. You can get in touch with the Nigerian Educational Mission or Nigerian Students Aid Association.
During the first visit to Nigeria, you will have to prepare and deliver the required documents required.
Conclusion
Applicable to all applicants, irrespective of citizenship or nationality, the Nigerian Embassy in London provides its services at affordable prices, and they are always ready to assist in any situation. So it's worth the time and effort of applying for a visa.
All the best!
Cheers!
