Living in Nigeria
Information aboutfor movingBritish to,citizens livingmoving to or retiringliving in NigeriaNigeria, – including visas,guidance working,on residency, healthcare and driving.
passports.
- From:
-
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - Published
- 10 April 2024
- Last updated
-
5
23NovemberApril20252024— See all updates
Getting
This helpguide withsets livingout inessential Nigeria
Helpinformation fromfor the Nigerian government
ForBritish anycitizens questions about moving to or living in Nigeria, youNigeria. mayRead beabout ablehow toour getHigh helpCommission from the:
TheThis UKinformation government,is including theprovided British Highas Commissionsa in Abujaguide andonly. You should get definitive information from the DeputyNigerian Highauthorities. CommissionThe inForeign, Lagos, cannotCommonwealth give& personalisedDevelopment adviceOffice on(FCDO) movingis to, living ornot retiringliable in Nigeria.
Professionalfor helpany inaccuracies in Nigeria
YouSupport for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can also getstay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help fromif professionals in Nigeria,you including: do get into difficulty.
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Read ourSee guidancealso: on moving, Overseas livingBusiness orRisk retiringCountry abroadGuide.
Coronavirus
GetFollow helpthe fromadvice of the UKNigerian government abroad,and includingyour inlocal anauthority. emergency. You should also read the Nigeria travel advice
Visas, residency and citizenship
MakeNigeria surehas youremoved meetCOVID-19 travel restrictions, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority website has the latest guidelines. Countries may change entry requirements for Nigeria beforeand close their borders at very short notice. Ensure you travel. check current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice in addition to the FCDO specific country page which provides additional information on travel restrictions and entry requirements in addition to safety and security advice.
Visas
Visas and residency
Check which Nigerianthe entry visarequirements you needfor to liveNigeria in Nigeria. our travel advice.
YouSee canhow getto apply for a visa to: to enter Nigeria
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work
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informationoraboutdosponsoringbusinessvisasinforNigeriafamilymembers/dependants
Passports and travel
IfYou youcan wantapply tofor extendor renew your visa: British passport from Nigeria.
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read the visa frequently
Checkaskedthequestions from the Nigeria ImmigrationtravelService’sadvicevisaforinformationpassportcentre -
contact the Nigeria
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ResidenceTravelling card with children.
IfChildren you(under want18 toyears liveold) orwho worktravel inout of Nigeria for oneunaccompanied year or more,without youa mustperson applywho forhas a Combinedparental Expatriateresponsibility, Residencemay andneed Alienwritten Cardauthorisation (CERPAC). by that person with parental responsibility to do so. This is required in addition to a valid travel document.
ThisYou servescan asfind proofinformation ofon legaltravelling residencywith andminors identityhere forGuide foreignto nationalsfaster intravel Nigeria. through the UK border - GOV.UK
PermanentHealthcare residency
You mayNigeria bedoes ablenot to applyhave for a permanenta residencereciprocal visa in Nigeria. health agreement with the United Kingdom.
ToIf findyou are resident in Nigeria ensure you have taken out if you’re eligible andan howappropriate tohealth apply: insurance policy.
If you are a visitor, arrange comprehensive travel insurance before you travel. Make sure your policy covers the following:
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read
airthe frequentlyambulance,askedinquestions oncasepermanentyouresidenceneedvisas, fromtothe NigeriabeImmigrationflownService’shomevisabyinformationthiscentremeans fullmedicalcover(medicalbillscanbeexpensive)-
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repatriationthe NigeriaofHighyourCommissionremainsin London orthethe NigeriaeventImmigrationofServicedeath repatriationofyourfamilyintheeventitisnecessaryforyoutoreturnhomeduetoillnessorinjury.
Citizenship
NigeriaVisit recognisesthe dualHealth citizenship in some cases. This means thatsection youof may orour mayTravel not haveAdvice to givepage upfor (renounce)detailed youradvice Britishon citizenship to becomemedical a Nigerianservices, citizen. vaccinations and health risks in Nigeria.
ToYou can find outa if you’re eligiblelist for Nigerian citizenship,of readTeaching Hospitals on the NigerianFederal Ministry of Interior’sHealth guidance on: website
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ForcitizenshipcontactdetailsforEnglishspeakingdoctorsvisitourlistofhealthcareproviders. -
citizenship
NOTE:requirementsUKTravelinsuranceproviderswillnotgenerallycoveryourhealthcarecostsifyouliveoverseas.MedicineYou
Ifcanyoualso contactaretheonNigerianaMinistryprescriptionforanymedicationyoushouldensureyouhaveasupplyof Interior.Help
it,withorvisaareandableresidencytoapplicationsThe British
obtainHighitCommissionwhenin AbujaNigeria.andCertainthemedicinesDeputymayHighnotCommissionbeavailablein Lagos cannot helpNigeriawith Nigerian visa(includingmajorbrandsreadilyavailableintheUK),and residencyyouapplications.For
mayanybequestionsprohibitedorfromissues,takingcontact:-
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YoushouldconsultyourGPbeforetravellingtoNigeria ImmigrationtoServicefindoutaboutanyalternativemedication. -
a lawyer
ReadintheNigeriaguidanceifyouneedtotravelwithmedicines
Passports and
WorkingtravelinNigeriaIfyouareplanningtomovetoNigeriaandwork,youmayneedavisa.Read ourtheguidanceNigerianon moving,government’s guidancelivingonorworkingretiringinabroad.NigeriaThisascoversaforeignnationalNigerianImmigrationServicesVisaandhow to:togetavisa.-
Toapply for a Britishjobpassportyoufrommayabroadneedtoprovide:validpassportwithaminimumof6monthsvalidity-
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evidencechildrenoftravellingsufficientwithoutfundsevidenceaofparenthotelorreservation/hostlegaladdressguardianChildren
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countryHighwhereCommissionyouinareLondon ordomiciledthe NigeriaforImmigrationatService forleastmoresixinformation.(6)months
Healthcare in
StudyingNigeriainNigeriaRead
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read
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find medical
FederalfacilitiesMinistryandofdoctors in NigeriaEducation
Working in Nigeria
TaxRead
TheourUKguidancehason moving,a Doublelivingtaxationoragreementretiringwithabroad. ThisNigeriacovers workingNigeria:abroad,taxincludingtreatiesdocuments-GOV.UKsothatyou maydoneednotfrompaytaxonthe UKsamegovernment.To
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YouNigeriashouldImmigrationgetService explains howprofessionalto applyadviceforonthepayingappropriatetaxvisainNigeria.FindanEnglish-speakinglawyerinNigeria.Recognition
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taxifyou wantleavetotheworkUKin Nigeria, youtomayliveneedabroadtaxto getonyour foreignUKqualifications recognisedincomeifyouliveabroad.Driving in Nigeria
Read
taxourifguidanceyouon moving,getlivingaorpensionretiringandliveabroad. This covers how to:-
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toprotectyour UKStatevehiclePensionabroad -
get
anddrivingentitlementlicencetolettersotherbenefitsandallowances.
BenefitsFor
CheckinformationwhichonUKdrivingbenefitsinyouNigeria,canincludingclaimdrivingwhilelicenceabroadlaws,andreadhowabouttoroadclaimtravelthem.Manyinincome-relatedNigeria,benefitsin safetysuchasPensionCreditand securityHousinginBenefitthecannottravelbeadvicepaidifyou’reabroadfor Nigeria.morethan4weeks.Tax
PensionsRead
ReadStateourPensionguidance on moving,iflivingyouhavelivedinAustralia,Canadaor retiringNewabroadZealand.andThisyoucoversaretax,claimingincludingorpayingwaitingUKtotaxclaimandyourNationalUKInsurance.StatePension.The
IfUKyouhasretirea doubleintaxationNigeria,agreementyouwith Nigeria socanthatclaimyouyourUKdoStatenotPensionpayornewtaxUKonStatePension.Contactthe sameInternationalincomePensioninCentreforbothfurthercountries.information.LifecertificatesforUKStatePensionsContact
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Seeourbuyingguidanceaon moving,propertylivingabroad.Insertorinformationretiringaboutabroad. Thisanycovers buyinglocalandrestrictionsonforeignnationalsbuyingorrenting property abroad.There are restrictions
imposedon foreign nationals buying propertynationalsseekingtoacquireor landowninrealNigeria. Contact a lawyerpropertyin Nigeria if you’re consideringNigeria.buyingForeignerspropertymayorstillland.Voting in
acquireNigeriaUK
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termourinterestsguidanceinon moving,landlivinginortheretiringformabroad.ofThisleasescoversprovidedhowthatto:-
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You cannot
shouldvotegetin Nigerian electionsprofessionalunlessadviceyouonhold Nigerianbuyingcitizenship.orrentingpropertyinNigeria.FindanEnglish-speakinglawyerinNigeriaStudying in
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Drivingmoreabroadinformation:https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad-
read
Ifguidanceyou’reon travelaskedgrants for studentsastudyingletterabroadauthenticating,certifyingor onvalidatingplacementsyour(England) -
UKdriver’slicence,youshouldcontact your higherUKeducationissuingproviderofficein(egthe UK or NigeriaDVLA) -
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Guidancethe NigerianforFederaltravellingMinistrybyofroadEducationinNigeriasee(https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/Nigeria/safety-and-security#road-travel)
Children
Read
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Youpermissionareallowedto takedriveinNigeriausingyour childforeignabroad -
claiming
licenceUKforChildthreeBenefitmonthsabroadandinternationallicenceforaperiodofoneyear.DuringthistimeyouareexpectedtoapplyforaNigeriandriver’slicense. -
child
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Schools
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deaths,marriageandcivil partnershipspartnershipBirths
BirthsIf your child is born in Nigeria,
inNigeriayoushouldregister the birth with the Nigeriantheauthoritieslocalauthorities.ThiscanbeusedforallofficialpurposesintheUK,includingapplyingforaBritishpassportforyourchild,providingtheyareotherwiseeligibleforBritishcitizenship..Read
Youourcanguidancefindinformationon moving,registeringlivingaorbirthretiringinabroad.NigeriaThisoncoversthehowNationalto:PopulationCommissionwebsite.-
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Marriages
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Findour guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This coversouthow toyoucanget married or get a civil partnership abroad.abroad.You
Awill need a special marriage licence toisgetrequiredmarriedforinaNigeriamarriageif you’re noteitherbetweenanon-NigerianandaNigerian citizen.citizenorbetweentwoNon-NigeriansresidentinNigeria.You can apply for the
aspecialmarriagelicence at the Marriage Registry Officeofficeor throughorthe registry’s online marriage portal.throughtheRegistry’sonlineportal.Read the
SeeNigerian MinistrytheMinistryof Interior’s guidanceInterioron marriageAffairsinwebsiteNigeria.Same-sex
formarriagesinformationand civilrequirementspartnershipsforaregettingnotmarriedlegally recognised in Nigeria.TheForHighinformationCommissionaboutisLGBT+unablerightstoinprovideNigeria,areadCertificateguidanceofon safetyNoandImpedimentsecurity(CNI)infortheweddingstraveltakingadviceplaceforinNigeria.commonwealthcountries.Divorce
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Updates to this page
Last updated 5
-
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
-
10 April 2024 First published.
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22 March 2021 Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.