Saudi Arabia's official tourism portal, Visit Saudi, has published three distinct visa options available to Nigerians seeking to enter the kingdom, each with different costs and entry conditions. The announcement clarifies the requirements for Nigerians residing in their home country who wish to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism, transit, or other purposes.
Three Visa Routes for Nigerians
According to the Visit Saudi portal, Nigerians living in Nigeria can apply for a Saudi visa through three distinct channels: directly via a Saudi embassy or consulate, through an authorised Tasheer Visa Facilitator office, or via a transit/stopover visa for those passing through the kingdom. Each option has specific eligibility criteria, fees, and permitted lengths of stay.
Embassy and Tasheer Visa: Single or Multiple Entry
The first option involves applying through a Saudi embassy, consulate, or an authorised Tasheer office. This route can yield either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, depending on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs review. A multiple-entry visa remains valid for one year from its issue date and permits stays of up to 90 days per visit. Medical insurance is not included in the application fee and must be arranged separately through a provider.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to travel alone. Those under 18 may only enter when accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or a sibling over 18. A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of entry is required.
Additional documents needed include proof of residence in Nigeria, a return ticket, proof of employment, a bank statement demonstrating financial sufficiency, a flight itinerary, a form of identification, and confirmation of accommodation in Saudi Arabia. Any valid Saudi visa permits the holder to perform Umrah, provided they book an appointment through the Nusuk platform beforehand.
Transit and Stopover Visa: Free but with Fees
The third route caters to travellers passing through Saudi Arabia. A transit or stopover visa allows holders to enter the country for up to 96 hours within a three-month window, on a single-entry basis. Two airlines currently offer this visa at no charge to qualifying passengers: Saudia Airlines and Flynas. Travellers who book flights with these airlines receive the transit visa automatically, with the approved document sent to their email after booking.
While the visa itself is free, an application fee of approximately $10.50 (N14,480) applies, along with medical insurance starting from roughly $3.45 (N4,750). Travellers using the transit visa for religious purposes—specifically to visit Makkah or Al Madinah—must schedule their Umrah or Ziyarah appointments separately through the Nusuk platform at nusuk.sa before travelling.
Additional Context
Legit.ng previously reported that the United States government published a list of eight categories of people who qualify to apply for a permanent resident card, commonly known as a Green Card. Eligibility ranges from family ties to US citizenship and employment in specialised fields to refugee or asylum status and victims of abuse.
