The Nigeria Landing Card is a mandatory immigration document that all travelers must complete before arriving in Nigeria. This arrival form collects essential information about passengers for immigration and security purposes, helping Nigerian authorities track visitor entries and maintain border security. Whether you're visiting Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, or any other Nigerian city, you'll need to present a completed landing card at immigration control.
Previously distributed as paper forms on aircraft, Nigeria has modernized its arrival process by introducing an online landing card system. This digital approach allows travelers to complete their arrival documentation before departure, reducing wait times at immigration and ensuring a smoother entry experience. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about the Nigeria Landing Card in 2026, including how to complete it online and what to expect upon arrival.
What is the Nigeria Landing Card?
The Nigeria Landing Card, also known as the Arrival/Departure Card or Immigration Form, is an official document required by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) from all passengers entering the country. The form captures biographical information, travel details, accommodation plans, and the purpose of your visit to Nigeria.
This information serves multiple purposes: it helps immigration officers verify your identity and travel authorization, assists health authorities in contact tracing if needed, provides tourism statistics, and supports national security efforts. The landing card is separate from your visa — even if you have a valid Nigeria e-Visa or embassy visa, you still need to complete the landing card.
The online landing card system was introduced to streamline the arrival process and reduce paper waste. By completing the form before your flight, you can proceed more quickly through immigration upon landing, as officers can verify your pre-submitted information against their database.
Nigeria operates several international airports where you'll use your landing card, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja), Port Harcourt International Airport, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport (Enugu). The landing card is also required at land border crossings and seaports throughout the country.
Nigeria Landing Card Quick Facts
Cost: Free of charge
Validity: Single use for one arrival
Submission: Online before departure or paper form on arrival
Processing: Instant online confirmation
Required for: All international arrivals (citizens and foreigners)
Ports of entry: All international airports and land borders
Who Needs to Complete the Landing Card?
The Nigeria Landing Card is mandatory for all passengers arriving in Nigeria, regardless of nationality or visa status. This includes Nigerian citizens returning home, foreign nationals with valid visas, diplomatic passport holders, transit passengers leaving the airport, and ECOWAS citizens entering visa-free.
- Nigerian citizens: Must complete the landing card when returning from international travel
- Foreign tourists: Required alongside valid visa or e-Visa documentation
- Business travelers: Mandatory regardless of company sponsorship or invitation
- Transit passengers: Required if exiting the international transit area
- ECOWAS nationals: Still required despite visa-free entry privileges
- Diplomats: Must complete the form unless on official diplomatic courier duty
- Children: Parents or guardians must complete forms for minor children
The exemptions from the landing card requirement are extremely limited. In practice, only diplomatic couriers on official courier missions with proper documentation, certain military personnel on official deployment with government clearance, and crew members who remain in designated airport areas may be exempt. For all practical purposes, if you're entering Nigeria as a regular traveler, you will need to complete the landing card regardless of your status or nationality.
Information Required on the Landing Card
Before starting your online landing card application, gather the following information. Having these details ready will make the process quick and error-free. The form typically takes 5-10 minutes to complete if you have all information prepared in advance.
- Full name exactly as it appears on your passport
- Passport number, issue date, and expiry date
- Nationality and country of birth
- Date of birth and gender
- Contact phone number and email address
- Home address in your country of residence
- Nigerian address or hotel where you'll be staying
- Flight number and airline for your arrival
- Purpose of visit (tourism, business, family visit, etc.)
- Countries visited in the last 14 days
- Visa details if applicable (visa number, type, validity)
Accuracy is Essential
Ensure all information matches your passport exactly. Discrepancies between your landing card and passport can cause delays at immigration. Names, passport numbers, and dates must be entered precisely as shown in your travel document. Double-check all entries before submitting.
How to Complete the Landing Card Online
Completing the Nigeria Landing Card online is straightforward. Follow these steps to submit your arrival information before your flight:
- Access the official portal — Visit the Nigeria Immigration Service online landing card system through DoVisa or the official NIS website. Ensure you're using the legitimate portal to protect your personal information.
- Select your arrival type — Choose whether you're arriving by air, land, or sea. Select your specific port of entry (Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, etc.).
- Enter passport details — Input your passport information exactly as it appears in your travel document. This includes your full name, passport number, nationality, and validity dates.
- Provide contact information — Enter your phone number and email address. These will be used for correspondence and confirmation.
- Add travel details — Input your flight number, airline, departure city, and arrival date. For land border crossings, provide vehicle and crossing point details.
- Declare accommodation — Enter your Nigerian address, hotel name, or host details. Immigration may verify this information upon arrival.
- Answer health questions — Complete any health-related declarations, including recent travel history and health status.
- Review and submit — Carefully review all information for accuracy. Once submitted, you'll receive a confirmation with a reference number.
- Save your confirmation — Download or print your landing card confirmation. Present this along with your passport at immigration.
Complete Before Your Flight
We recommend completing the online landing card at least 24 hours before your departure. While it can be done closer to travel time, submitting early ensures you have time to address any technical issues and have your confirmation ready. Some airlines may ask to see your landing card confirmation during check-in.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Occasionally, travelers encounter technical difficulties when completing the online landing card. Here are solutions to the most common problems:
Form not loading: Try using a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari typically work best). Clear your browser cache and cookies, or try accessing the form from a different device. Some corporate VPNs may block access to government websites.
Submission errors: Double-check that all required fields are completed. Ensure dates are in the correct format and that your passport number contains no spaces or special characters. If using an older browser, update to the latest version.
No confirmation received: Check your spam or junk email folder. If you still don't see it after 15 minutes, try resubmitting the form with a different email address. You can also take a screenshot of the confirmation page as backup.
At the Airport: What to Expect
Upon arrival at any Nigerian international airport, you'll proceed to the immigration hall. Here's what to expect and how to ensure a smooth process:
- Have documents ready: Keep your passport, printed landing card confirmation, visa (if applicable), and Yellow Fever certificate easily accessible
- Join the correct queue: Nigerian nationals and foreigners typically have separate immigration lines. Diplomatic passport holders may have dedicated counters
- Present your documents: Hand your passport and landing card confirmation to the immigration officer. They will verify your information against their system
- Answer questions honestly: Officers may ask about your purpose of visit, accommodation, and return travel plans. Be prepared with clear, consistent answers
- Biometric capture: You may be required to provide fingerprints and a photograph at the immigration counter
- Receive your entry stamp: Once cleared, the officer will stamp your passport with the date and duration of stay permitted
- Proceed to baggage claim: After immigration clearance, collect your luggage and proceed through customs
Immigration processing times vary depending on the airport and time of day. During peak hours (when multiple international flights arrive simultaneously), expect longer queues. Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport typically sees the longest lines due to its high traffic volume, while smaller airports like Enugu may offer quicker processing.
If you encounter any issues with your landing card at immigration, remain calm and polite. Officers can often resolve minor discrepancies on the spot. Having printed backup documentation, such as your hotel reservation, return flight itinerary, and visa approval, can help expedite any verification process.
Common Myths About Nigeria Landing Card
The landing card is the same as a visa
The landing card and visa are completely separate documents. The landing card collects arrival information from all travelers, while a visa grants permission to enter Nigeria. You need both: a valid visa (if required for your nationality) AND a completed landing card. ECOWAS nationals who enter visa-free still need the landing card.
I can complete the landing card after landing
While paper forms are still available at airports for those who haven't completed the online version, this is not recommended. Completing the form at the airport adds time to your immigration process and may result in longer queues. The online system is designed to speed up arrivals, so take advantage of it before your flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nigeria Landing Card free?
How far in advance can I complete the landing card?
Do I need to print the landing card confirmation?
What happens if I make a mistake on the landing card?
Do Nigerian citizens need to complete the landing card?
Is the landing card required for transit passengers?
Can I complete one landing card for my whole family?
What if the online system is down?
Complete Your Nigeria Landing Card
Nigeria
Capital: Abuja
Currency: Nigerian Naira (NGN)
Language: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo
Timezone: UTC+1 (WAT)
Processing: Instant (online)
Quick Facts
- Landing card: Free
- Required for all arrivals
- Complete online before flight
- Valid for single entry
Get the DoVisa App
Complete your Nigeria landing card and manage travel documents on the go.
Comments(10)
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Just returned from Lagos and the online landing card made immigration so much faster. Completed it the night before my flight and was through in about 10 minutes!
Important note: make sure your hotel booking confirmation matches the address you put on the landing card. Immigration asked to see my hotel booking.
Can I complete the landing card on my phone or does it need to be on a computer?
Even as a Nigerian citizen, I still need to fill this out every time I return. Quick process though if you do it online beforehand.
Flew into Abuja last week - the immigration officer specifically thanked me for having my landing card already completed online. Said it makes their job easier!
What happens if your flight gets delayed and you arrive on a different day than what you put on the form?
For families traveling together - yes, you need a separate form for each person including babies. I completed 4 forms for my family before our trip to visit grandparents in Lagos.
Landed at Port Harcourt Airport and the process was smooth. Just have your passport, landing card confirmation, and Yellow Fever certificate ready.
The DoVisa step-by-step guide made this so easy. First time in Nigeria and I was nervous about all the paperwork, but it was actually very straightforward.
Pro tip: take a screenshot of your confirmation page AND save the email. Phone batteries die and airport wifi can be unreliable. Better to be prepared!