How To Get A Foreign Visa | READ FULL DETAILS
Visa on arrival
Some countries grant short-term visitor visas on arrival. This means you may not need to organise it beforehand.
A visa on arrival is not the same as visa-free travel. The authority at the border still issues you a visa. They may issue it electronically or in your passport as a stamp, sticker or attachment.
Applying for a visa directly or online
You may need to apply for a visa directly with your destination’s authority. For some countries, you can apply through one of their embassies or consulates. They may ask you to apply in person, by mail or online.
Some ask you to give your passport to their officials for processing. This could take some time. In the meantime, you won’t have your passport and can’t travel anywhere else. Don’t leave your application to the last minute.
Applying for a visa through commercial visa services
Some governments authorise commercial services to coordinate or issue visas on their behalf.
Don’t get tricked into using a commercial visa service if you don’t need to. In some countries, legitimate services pose as official services online. Some charge more for visas.
Check the destination’s government authority for their visa application process. Make sure any commercial service is authorised and legitimate.
Don’t get scammed.
If they are legitimate, compare their costs to the government option. Some overcharge to make more profit.
Avoiding visa scams
Watch out for visa scams. There are illegal operators that take your money and give you a fake visa.
A fake visa won’t be recognised when you arrive. In some cases, you might be able to buy a real visa at the airport. You’ll just lose the money you paid. In other cases, you could be accused of trying to enter the country illegally. You could be arrested or jailed.
Visa-free entry
You may not need a visa to visit some countries for certain types of travel. This includes European countries in the Schengen area and destinations with visa waiver agreements.
Schengen area
The Schengen area is made up of 26 European countries that have common entry and exit requirements. This means you may not have to apply or pay for a visa to visit short term.
Most travellers in the Schengen area can move freely between member countries. They don’t have to go through border controls or get separate visas for each country.
Special visa rules apply in the Schengen area. See our general advice about travelling in the Schengen area.
Bilateral visa waiver agreements
Most countries have agreements with other countries to waive some visa requirements. This means you may not have to apply or pay for a visa for short visits as a tourist. You can enter and travel freely on your Nigerian passport.
Countries can change their entry or exit requirements at short notice. Before you travel, get current visa information. Contact your destination’s embassy or consulate in Nigeria.
Consequences of breaching your visa
You could face consequences if you have visa problems. This includes getting the wrong visa or breaching a condition of your visa. Even if you didn’t mean to make a mistake.
Consequences can include:
jail
fines
deportation.
The Nigerian Government is limited in how and when it can help Nigerians overseas. We can’t tell you what visa to get or what to do if you get into trouble. We can’t get you out of trouble or out of jail.
It’s your responsibility to stay within the law when you’re overseas. This includes making sure you’ve got the right visa.
source: smartraveller.gv.au
