Delegate Visa Guide
Visa Guidance for Foreign Delegates
Summit Date: September 8 – 9, 2026
This guidance is for delegates travelling to Nigeria for the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2026, hosted by the Policy Innovation Centre in Abuja. It summarises who needs a visa, which visa to apply for, the documents required, and when to begin the process. Delegates should confirm current requirements on the official Nigeria Immigration Service portal and apply early.
Who Needs a Visa
Most foreign nationals travelling to Nigeria require a visa. There are two main exceptions:
- • Citizens of the fifteen ECOWAS member states (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria) can enter Nigeria without a visa and only need a valid national passport or ECOWAS travel certificate.
- • Nationals of a small number of other countries with bilateral visa waiver arrangements with Nigeria may also be exempt.
If you are not visa-exempt, plan to apply before travel through the official Nigeria Immigration Service portal or the nearest Nigerian embassy or consulate.
Which Visa to Apply For
Delegates should apply for the Business e-Visa, also listed as a Business Visit or Conference/Event category. This is appropriate for attending a professional, non-tourism event.
How to Apply
Confirm whether you need a visa, gather the documents listed below, and apply through evisa.immigration.gov.ng. Avoid third-party websites that charge additional fees.
Complete the online form, select the Business e-Visa category, enter your travel dates around 8–9 September 2026, upload the required documents, and pay the fee shown for your nationality and visa type.
Most complete e-Visa applications are decided within 48 to 72 hours, but delegates should still apply several weeks in advance to allow for delays or additional document requests.
Once approved, print your e-Visa approval letter, carry it with your passport, and complete Nigeria’s online Landing Card before boarding your flight.
Documents You Will Need
- • Passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date in Nigeria, with at least one blank page.
- • A recent passport-sized photograph, per the specifications on the e-Visa portal.
- • A formal letter of invitation from the Policy Innovation Centre, confirming your participation in GS26. PIC will issue this letter to registered delegates on request.
- • A copy of your round-trip flight itinerary.
- • Proof of accommodation in Abuja for the duration of your stay (a hotel booking confirmation is sufficient).
- • Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay, typically a recent bank statement.
- • Proof of yellow fever vaccination (International Certificate of Vaccination), which may be requested on arrival.
- Requirements can vary slightly by nationality and visa category, so treat this as a general checklist and confirm the exact list shown to you on the portal during your own application.
Timeline and Key Reminders
• Request your PIC invitation letter and check visa eligibility as soon as your attendance is confirmed.
• Submit your visa application at least three to four weeks before travel, or earlier if applying through an embassy.
• After approval, print your e-Visa letter, complete the online Landing Card, and travel with your yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Requesting Your Invitation Letter from PIC
To request a visa invitation letter, Email: partnerships@policycentre.org with your full legal name as it appears on your passport, passport number, nationality, and expected arrival and departure dates. Please request the letter before starting your visa application.
Contacts and Official Resources
Official Nigeria e-Visa portal: evisa.immigration.gov.ng
Online Landing/Exit Card: lecard.immigration.gov.ng
Nigeria Immigration Service e-Visa support: help-evisa@immigration.gov.ng
GS26 delegate support (invitation letters and queries): partnerships@policycentre.org
