Nigeria Sets May 1 for E-Visa Rollout, Digital Landing Cards to Enhance Travel Experience and National Security

In a strategic move to modernize Nigeria’s immigration framework and strengthen its border surveillance, the Federal Government has announced the introduction of a comprehensive e-visa system and the digitisation of landing and exit cards for all travellers entering and exiting the country. The initiative, spearheaded through a collaboration between the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Ministry of Interior, aims to improve security protocols while making travel into Nigeria more efficient and transparent.

The announcement was made on Wednesday in Abuja, where the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, received a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Speaking during the meeting, Keyamo highlighted the administration's commitment to fostering synergy across ministries with overlapping mandates, particularly those that affect national security and international travel.

“What we are doing here today reflects this government’s commitment to cooperation between ministries with overlapping mandates,” Keyamo said. “Today is another example of inter-ministerial collaboration. This specifically concerns the introduction of the e-visa system.”

The new system will enable visa applicants to process their applications online, eliminating the need for in-person submissions and reducing administrative bottlenecks. Applicants will be able to upload necessary documentation digitally, while the process will also include integrated global criminal background checks.

Keyamo confirmed that the digitalisation of landing and exit cards will require visitors to pre-fill their information online prior to travelling. These forms, which are typically completed manually upon arrival or departure, will now be submitted electronically to streamline processing and enhance data collection for security agencies.

Although the e-visa project primarily falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior, Keyamo assured that all relevant aviation agencies, including the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), are on board and will provide full support for the implementation.

Minister Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the e-visa and automated entry system are scheduled to go live on May 1. He emphasized that the application process would be free of charge, describing the initiative as a user-friendly and secure way to welcome global travellers while maintaining high security standards.

“The e-visa will be seamless and transparent,” Tunji-Ojo said. “This is not just about easing travel; it’s about doing so responsibly by ensuring robust background checks and reducing human interference in visa approvals.”

The Interior Minister elaborated that the NCAA will play a pivotal role in managing the digital landing and exit card system. Travellers will now be required to complete their forms online before boarding, with the NCAA coordinating directly with airlines to enforce compliance.

“Coordinating and issuing regulations to airlines is naturally the NCAA’s responsibility,” Tunji-Ojo stated. “We’ve built a central visa approval centre at the immigration headquarters, manned by trained officers and linked with global criminal databases for real-time verification.”

According to Tunji-Ojo, the ultimate goal is to eliminate inefficiencies in Nigeria’s immigration processes while keeping the nation's borders open to legitimate travellers and investments.

“We are opening Nigeria’s borders to the world without compromising on security,” he added. “This collaboration between the Interior and Aviation ministries marks a significant leap forward for Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.”

With just weeks to go before implementation, the government is poised to commence one of its most ambitious immigration reform efforts in recent history. Stakeholders and agencies involved are expected to ramp up preparations to ensure a smooth transition to the new systems by the May 1 launch date.