Chinese citizens visiting Nigeria for business, inspections or tourism now apply for an e-Visa online: Visa on Arrival ended on 1 May 2025, and decisions take about 48 hours once documents and fees are in. Anyone moving to Nigeria to work follows a different route, an STR visa plus a CERPAC residence permit, backed by the employer’s Expatriate Quota. The two routes do not mix: an e-Visa cannot be extended or converted into work status inside Nigeria.
Long-term work route: from quota to residence permit
- Employer secures an Expatriate Quota slot
- Apply for STR visa at a Nigerian mission in China (HQ approval about 10 working days)
- Complete the online landing card within 72 hours before arrival
- Apply online for e-CERPAC within 3 months of arrival
- Permit valid 1 year; renew before expiry
Key points
- Visa on Arrival is gone; since 1 May 2025 short stays use the e-Visa at evisa.immigration.gov.ng.
- There are 13 short-stay e-Visa categories, valid for 30 or 90 days, with no extensions.
- Landing and exit cards must be completed online within 72 hours before every arrival and departure.
- For long-term work, you enter on an STR visa and obtain a CERPAC within 3 months; it is valid for 1 year and renewable.
- Overstaying costs $15 per day and can lead to re-entry bans of 5 years, 10 years or life.
Short stays: the e-Visa
The e-Visa covers transit, tourism, business (single entry, multiple entry and frequent-traveller executive) and visitor categories. You need a passport valid for at least six months, a photo, a ticket and a hotel or host address. Business applicants also need an invitation letter and the host company’s CAC certificate. Fees depend on nationality; check the amount the portal shows for a Chinese passport.
The usual problems are photos that do not meet the specification, invitation letters whose details do not match the passport, incomplete hotel addresses, and travellers treating a business visa as a work visa. Apply at least a week before you fly and carry a printed copy for airline check-in and the immigration desk. Our step-by-step Nigeria e-Visa guide covers the application, documents and common refusal reasons.
Working and living in Nigeria: STR and CERPAC
Employees usually come in after the employer has secured an Expatriate Quota slot, then apply for an STR (Subject to Regularisation) visa at a Nigerian mission in China. Since the 2025 reforms, STR and business visa approvals are centralised at Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja and take about 10 working days. Within three months of arrival you apply online for the CERPAC residence permit: an e-CERPAC is issued first, and the physical card is posted to the employer. China’s Ministry of Commerce 2025 country guide puts the e-CERPAC at about $3,200, with roughly one month to issue and two weeks to renew; confirm current fees with NIS. See the STR visa and CERPAC residence permit guide for the full process, and the Expatriate Quota explainer for the employer side.
The two routes compared
| Item | e-Visa (short stay) | STR + CERPAC (long stay) |
|---|---|---|
| For | Business trips, inspections, tourism, transit | Employment and residence in Nigeria |
| Where to apply | Online | STR at a Nigerian mission in China; CERPAC online after arrival |
| Validity | 30 or 90 days, no extension | Permit valid 1 year, renewable |
| Prerequisite | Invitation letter (business) | Employer’s Expatriate Quota |
There is also a Temporary Work Permit (TWP) e-Visa for short technical assignments such as equipment installation: $600 for 3 months or $1,100 for 6 months.
Common questions at a glance
Can I work on site with a business e-Visa? No. A business visa covers meetings, inspections and negotiations; hands-on work needs a TWP or STR. What if I overstay? The fine is $15 per day and it can affect future entry, so plan your departure or change of status early. What if I forget the landing card? It is required within 72 hours before each arrival and departure, so add it to your checklist as soon as you book.
Before you fly
Beyond the visa itself, first-time arrivals should have a yellow fever certificate (it can be checked on entry and exit), malaria prophylaxis, international medical insurance, and the name and address of their employer or host. Our malaria and vaccinations guide covers the medical side, and the newcomers’ guide lists what to sort out in your first week: SIM card, bank account and housing.
Other practical notes
Keep digital copies of your passport, visa page and residence permit on your phone and in cloud storage. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce guide, every entry and exit has had to be declared since September 2025. Nigerian visa policy has changed often since 2025, so treat the Nigeria Immigration Service website as the final word on fees and timelines.
Sources
- Aluko & Oyebode: Nigeria e-Visa & automated entry system (2025)
- Mondaq: How to obtain an e-Visa to Nigeria (2025 guidelines)
- KPMG Nigeria: Ministry of Interior expatriate administration and visa reforms (Apr 2025)
- 商务部《对外投资合作国别（地区）指南·尼日利亚（2025年版）》
- Nigeria Immigration Service e-Visa portal
- NIS landing & exit card portal
In this section
- Nigeria e-Visa Guide: How to Apply Now Visa on Arrival Has Ended
- Nigeria STR Visa and CERPAC: How to Get Your Work and Residence Permit
FAQ
Can Chinese citizens still get a visa on arrival in Nigeria?
No. Visa on Arrival ended on 1 May 2025 and earlier approvals were valid only until 30 May 2025. Short stays now need an e-Visa obtained online before travel.
How long does a Nigeria e-Visa take?
About 48 hours after documents are submitted and fees are paid. e-Visas are valid for 30 or 90 days and cannot be extended.
How soon after arriving on an STR visa must I get a CERPAC?
Within three months of arrival. The CERPAC is valid for one year, is renewable and is now applied for online.
What is the penalty for overstaying in Nigeria?
$15 per day, plus possible re-entry bans of 5 years, 10 years or life.
Facts checked: 2026-10-22 · Niriliya Huaren Editorial Team · How we check facts