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Japan visa for Nigerians: requirements, fees and how to apply

Yes. Nigerians need a visa to enter Japan, including for tourism. Nigeria is not on the Japanese foreign ministry's list of 74 visa-exempt countries and regions, revised 1 September 2025, and Japan does not issue visas on arrival. Applications in Nigeria go through VFS Global.

Updated

5working days, standard processing
3months to enter on a single-entry visa

Visa required

The rule for Nigerian passports

What the Japanese foreign ministry publishes for nationals of Nigeria.

Short-stay visa
Needed
Standard processing
5 working days
Japanese missions
1
Visa for a short stay
Required before travel
Visa on arrival
Not available
Standard processing
5 working days after the application is received
Single-entry visa
Valid for 3 months, for one entry
Visa fee from 1 July 2026
About 15,000 yen single entry, about 30,000 yen multiple entry, paid in local currency
JAPAN eVISA
Not offered for residents of Nigeria
List last revised
1 September 2025
The official wording
MOFAVisas are issued in the Japanese embassy or consulate. Visas cannot be obtained at the port of entry in Japan.Visas and Landing Permission
MOFABased on the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, in principle a foreign national wishing to enter Japan is required to have a valid passport issued by the government of their own country with a visa issued by the head of the embassy or consulate-general of Japan.Visas and Landing Permission

Other passports from Africa

Short-stay visa rules for passports from Africa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, exemption list revised 1 September 2025)
PassportShort-stay visaVisa-free stay
EgyptNeededNo visa-free stay
KenyaNeededNo visa-free stay
LesothoNot needed90 days
MauritiusNot needed90 days
NigeriaNeededNo visa-free stay
South AfricaNeededNo visa-free stay

How to apply in Nigeria

The steps the foreign ministry sets out, with what the mission in Nigeria adds.

Step 1
Prepare the documents. If someone in Japan invites or guarantees you, they send their documents to you, not to the embassy.
Step 2
Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate for the place you live, at an accredited agency, at a Japan Visa Application Centre or online, whichever that mission specifies.
Step 3
Wait for the examination. The standard time is 5 working days from the day after the application is received. It can take more than a month if the case is referred to Tokyo.
Step 4
Collect the result. The visa fee is paid only if a visa is issued.
Step 5
Enter Japan within 3 months. A single-entry visa is valid for three months and for one entry.

What the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria says

Embassy of Japan in NigeriaFrom March 2025, with few exceptions, visa applications and passport collections will be processed exclusively at the Japan Visa Application Centres (JVACs) in Abuja and Lagos, operated by VFS Global.Visa Information
Embassy of Japan in NigeriaTo apply at the Japan Visa Application Centres, you can book online up to three months in advance.Visa Information
Embassy of Japan in NigeriaThe minimum processing time from submission of the visa application to collection of the passport at the Japan Visa Application Centre is 12 working days for applications received in Abuja … and 14 working days for applications received in Lagos, provided there are no problems with the content of the application.Visa Information
Embassy of Japan in NigeriaNigerian nationals are required to obtain a visa regardless of the purpose or duration of their trip.Visa Information
Embassy of Japan in NigeriaPlease note that a service charge will be applied to each application in addition to the standard visa fees. … For applications made in Lagos, a separate courier fee will also be charged for the transfer of documents (both ways between the Lagos and Abuja centres).ANNOUNCEMENT - Opening of Japan Visa Application Centres in Abuja and Lagos
Embassy of Japan in NigeriaNote) The visa fee is applied based on the date the visa application is received by the Embassy of Japan, not the date of application at the Japan Visa Application Centre in Abuja or Lagos.Visa information
MOFAOnce all the documents are ready, you may apply for a visa at the consular section of the Diplomatic Mission of Japan with jurisdiction over your place of residence, at an accredited agency, the Japan Visa Application Centre, or online, by the method specified by the Diplomatic Mission of Japan where you will submit your applicationVISA

If an application is refused, the same purpose cannot be applied for again within six months.

Documents for a tourist visa

From the foreign ministry's checklist for a single-entry short-term visa (April 2025).

  • Valid passport
  • Visa application form, 1 copy
  • Photo, 1 (the ministry's form marks the photo space as 45 mm × 35 mm)
  • Flight itinerary with the flight or ship number and the dates of arrival and departure
  • Proof you can pay for the trip: an income certificate or tax return from a public agency, or a bank statement or balance certificate
  • Itinerary in Japan

Documents must have been issued within the last three months. The mission can ask for more on a case-by-case basis.

Visa fee

Fees changed on 1 July 2026.

For applications accepted on or after 1 July 2026, the fee is about 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and about 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa, converted and paid in the local currency. Depending on purpose and nationality, the fee can be waived or different. No fee is charged if the visa is not issued. An agency adds its own handling fee.

MOFAFor visa applications accepted at overseas diplomatic missions on or after that date, the fee, converted into Japanese yen, will be approximately 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and approximately 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa.Visa Fees
MOFADepending on the purpose of your visit and your nationality, fees may not be required or the amount may differ.Visa Fees
Visa fees published by the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria (checked 5 October 2026)
VisaWhoFeeFrom
Single entryStandard rate156,300 NGN Source1 July 2026
Single entryIndian passport holders8,700 NGN Source1 July 2026
Double entryStandard rate312,500 NGN Source1 July 2026
Double entryIndian passport holders8,700 NGN Source1 July 2026
Multiple entryStandard rate312,500 NGN Source1 July 2026
Multiple entryIndian passport holders8,700 NGN Source1 July 2026

JAPAN eVISA in Nigeria

The foreign ministry's eVISA list (as of 15 May 2026) does not include Nigeria. Apply on paper at the embassy or consulate, or through the channel it names.

Working, studying or staying longer

The short-term visa covers short stays only.

Paid work is outside a short stay. To work for pay, or to stay more than 90 days, you need a visa. The foreign ministry says to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services Agency first, in principle.

At the airport in Japan

The same steps apply to every foreign visitor.

On arrival you complete the Disembarkation Card for Foreigner (online through Visit Japan Web, or on paper), give your fingerprints and a facial photograph, and an immigration officer decides whether you can land.

JESTA, Japan's travel authorisation

JESTA is the electronic travel authorisation Japan is creating for visa-exempt visitors, starting no later than 31 March 2029. The law bars entry to foreign nationals who have neither a JESTA authorisation nor a visa; Nigerians need a visa in any case.

Japanese embassy for Nigeria

The missions the foreign ministry lists for Nigeria. The rules on this page can change, so confirm with the mission before you book.

This page is compiled from the official pages below and was last checked on 5 October 2026. It is not legal advice. The embassy or consulate has the final word on your case.

Frequently asked questions

Do Nigerians need a visa for Japan?

Yes. Nigerians need a visa to enter Japan, including for tourism. Nigeria is not on the Japanese foreign ministry's list of 74 visa-exempt countries and regions, revised 1 September 2025, and Japan does not issue visas on arrival. Applications in Nigeria go through VFS Global.

Can Nigerians get a visa on arrival in Japan?

No. The foreign ministry states that visas cannot be obtained at the port of entry in Japan. Apply before you travel.

How much is a Japan visa for Nigerians?

From 1 July 2026 the fee is about 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and about 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa, paid in local currency. It can differ by nationality and purpose.

How long does a Japan visa take in Nigeria?

The foreign ministry's standard is 5 working days from the day after the application is received. It can take more than a month if the case is referred to Tokyo. The Embassy of Japan in Nigeria adds: “The minimum processing time from submission of the visa application to collection of the passport at the Japan Visa Application Centre is 12 working days for applications received in Abuja … and 14 working days for applications received in Lagos, provided there are no problems with the content of the application.”

Can Nigerians apply for a Japan eVISA?

The foreign ministry's eVISA list (as of 15 May 2026) does not include Nigeria. Apply on paper at the embassy or consulate, or through the channel it names.

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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 5, 2026