Nigeria student visa (R7A)

R7A is for international students who will pursue full-time studies at an approved Nigerian educational institution. You need a letter of admission from an accredited institution, proof that the required minimum tuition fee has been paid by you or a sponsor, and a formal application for the R7A visa written by the institution, in which it accepts immigration responsibility for you.

Short academic visits use other classes: the Study Tour Visa F7G and the Academic Exchange Programme Visa F7H are e-Visa classes with a 30-day stay, while longer exchanges of students, scholars, lecturers and researchers under an MoU use the resident Academic Exchange Programme Visa R8A. Interns doing a resident internship use R9A, with a one-year stay.

The NIS Service Level Agreement lists a passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages, a recent photograph on a white background, the admission letter, proof of tuition payment and the institution’s letter accepting immigration responsibility. The NIS visa page adds that students should show financial support, valid medical insurance where applicable and evidence of accommodation.

File the application at visa.immigration.gov.ng, upload the documents and pay the visa fee, then attend an interview and biometric capture at a Nigerian embassy. NIS targets 10 days from enrolment.

After entering Nigeria within the 90-day validity, the student applies for the residence permit. The NIS CERPAC page names students among the eligible groups and sets the student fee at USD 600, with biometrics taken at a designated NIS office.

The NIS visa page explains that student status is commonly granted for the length of the programme, for example a year at a time, and renewed on continued enrolment and satisfactory progress. The Service Level Agreement gives a two-year renewable permit after regularisation. Paid work is prohibited unless it is specifically authorised under internship provisions or work-study arrangements recognised by the institution and the relevant agencies.

A spouse accompanying an international student applies under R7B. The file includes the spouse’s passport and photograph, the student’s admission letter and tuition payment proof with a sponsor statement, the institution’s letter accepting immigration responsibility, a copy of the student’s residence permit, evidence of marriage and evidence of funds to support the family.