Your first 30 days in Nigeria come down to four jobs. Make sure your immigration status is right and start your residence permit on time. Get a SIM card and a way to pay. Settle housing, power and security. Then protect yourself against malaria and save the emergency numbers. The checklist below runs in order, with links to our detailed guides.
Your first 30 days
- Visa, yellow fever certificate, landing card, insurance
- Emergency numbers, security group, SIM card
- Exchange rate, bank account, mobile wallet
- Housing, power, nearest hospital
- CERPAC application, tax, register with mission
Key points
- Before you fly: get the right visa (e-Visa for short visits, STR for work), a yellow fever certificate, and complete the online landing card within 72 hours of arrival.
- Week 1: save 112 and the Chinese mission helplines, join a security-alert group and get a SIM card.
- Weeks 2–3: open a bank account and mobile wallet, understand the naira and secure housing.
- Within 30 days: STR holders should start their CERPAC residence permit. MOFCOM notes it must be obtained within 3 months of arrival.
Before you leave (D-30 to D-1)
- Visa: Visa on Arrival has ended. Since 1 May 2025, short business and tourist visits require an e-Visa from evisa.immigration.gov.ng, decided in about 48 hours and not extendable. Workers need an STR visa arranged by the employer. Our e-Visa guide helps you pick the right category.
- Vaccinations: a yellow fever certificate is required to enter and leave Nigeria. Bring malaria prophylaxis too.
- Landing card: fill it in online at lecard.immigration.gov.ng within 72 hours before arrival.
- Insurance: buy cover that includes medical evacuation.
- Cash and cards: carry a small amount of US dollars for emergencies and check whether your Chinese bank cards work in Nigeria.
Week 1: arrival and safety
- Save emergency numbers: 112 (and 767 in Lagos), Chinese Embassy +234 806 337 8795, Lagos Consulate +234 916 279 1792 and the MFA hotline +86-10-12308. The full list is on our resources and emergency numbers page.
- Know your area’s risks: security varies greatly by state. Read our Nigeria security guide and learn your compound’s security rules.
- Join the community: the China General Chamber of Commerce runs WeChat security-alert groups. Ask your company or colleagues to add you.
- SIM card: buy from an official MTN or Airtel store. SIMs must be linked to a NIN; residents enrol with their permit and visitors register with a passport.
- Getting around: Uber left Nigeria in September 2026. Bolt and inDrive work, but a company car is safest.
Week 2: money and payments
- Exchange rate: the official rate was about ₦1,333 per dollar on 12 October 2026, with the parallel market slightly weaker. Use legal channels; see our naira exchange guide.
- Bank account: foreigners usually need a residence permit and a Bank Verification Number (BVN). Some banks offer Chinese-language service, such as Stanbic IBTC’s Africa-China Banking Centre.
- Mobile wallets: OPay, PalmPay and Moniepoint are the everyday payment tools. Setup and limits are in our mobile money guide.
- Budget: inflation was 14.63% in September 2026 and food inflation 19.59%, so plan your spending.
Week 3: housing and daily life
- Find a home: in Lagos, expats mostly live in Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki. Two-bedroom rents ran about ₦10m–17.25m a year in 2026, usually paid a year upfront. See our Lagos neighbourhoods guide.
- Power: check the supply band and whether there is a generator or inverter.
- Shopping: China Town in Ojota, Lagos, has a Chinese supermarket and restaurant, and is busiest on Sundays.
- Health: find your nearest private hospital, use mosquito protection, and get tested for malaria at the first sign of fever.
Week 4: residence, work and compliance
- Residence permit: STR holders apply for CERPAC online through the NIS portal. An e-CERPAC is issued first and the card is sent to the employer. MOFCOM says it must be obtained within 3 months of arrival; it is valid for 1 year and renewable. See our STR visa and CERPAC guide.
- Overstaying: penalties are $15 per day plus possible re-entry bans.
- Tax: the Nigeria Tax Act took effect on 1 January 2026. The first ₦800,000 of annual income is tax-free, the top rate is 25%, and China and Nigeria have a double tax treaty.
- Company registration with the mission: MOFCOM advises new Chinese firms to register with the Embassy or Lagos Consulate commercial office.
30-day checklist at a glance
| When | Tasks | Done when |
|---|---|---|
| Before departure | Visa, yellow fever certificate, landing card, insurance | e-Visa or STR approved |
| Week 1 | Emergency numbers, security group, SIM | Number registered |
| Week 2 | Exchange rate, bank, mobile wallet | You can pay in naira |
| Week 3 | Housing, power, hospital | Lease signed |
| Week 4 | CERPAC, tax, company registration | CERPAC application submitted |
Sources
- Aluko & Oyebode: Nigeria e-Visa and landing cards (2025)
- Mondaq: how to obtain a Nigerian e-Visa
- KPMG: Interior Ministry expatriate reforms (Apr 2025)
- MOFCOM country guide: Nigeria (2025 edition)
- Chinese Consulate-General in Lagos notice with mission helplines
- NCC: NIN–SIM linkage
- Nairametrics: naira rate (Oct 2026)
- PaySpace: 2026 personal income tax bands
- TravelHealthPro: Nigeria
- AllAfrica: Uber exits Nigeria
FAQ
How soon must I get a residence permit?
MOFCOM notes that STR holders must obtain the residence permit within 3 months of arrival; it is valid for 1 year and renewable.
Can foreigners get a SIM card?
Yes. SIMs must be linked to a NIN; residents enrol with their permit and visitors register with a passport.
Can an e-Visa be extended?
No. e-Visas cannot be extended; long-term workers need an STR visa and residence card.
When do I fill in the landing card?
Online at lecard.immigration.gov.ng within 72 hours before every arrival and departure.
Facts checked: 2026-10-22 · Niriliya Huaren Editorial Team · How we check facts