Nigeria medical tourism visa (F7C)

NIS issues F7C to persons who need medical attention in Nigerian hospitals or clinics and to the people accompanying a patient. The details of every companion are given in the application. The visa covers treatment only: it does not allow employment, and the companions have the same restrictions.

Because the medical visa is not on the e-Visa, it follows the embassy route.

Two medical letters are central. The first is a referral letter from an accredited hospital in the applicant’s place of residence. The second is a letter from the Nigerian hospital or health care provider confirming the treatment and stating its cost.

You must also prove adequate funds to cover that cost as specified by the hospital: NIS requires a bank statement showing a balance higher than the treatment cost. The usual items complete the file, namely a passport valid for at least six months, a photograph, a return ticket and a hotel reservation or host address.

Obtain the referral and the Nigerian hospital’s confirmation first. Then file the application at visa.immigration.gov.ng, upload the documents and pay the fee. You will be called for an interview and biometric capture at the Nigerian mission; the NIS target is 10 days from that enrolment.

The fee is the single-entry rate for your nationality in Appendix I of the NIS Service Level Agreement; British citizens, for example, pay USD 193 and US citizens USD 160.

The visa must be used within 90 days of issue and allows a single stay of up to 180 days. Unlike most short visit classes, NIS marks F7C as extendable where applicable, which matters when treatment takes longer than planned. Ask the hospital for an updated letter early, because any extension request would rely on medical evidence.