# AI tells a traveler Nigeria offers visa-on-arrival, or that an e-Visa payment receipt is enough to board

- **ID:** `visa/voa-cancelled-evisa-mandatory`
- **Domain:** visa
- **Category:** entry_requirement_barrier
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 90%

## Root Cause

Nigeria discontinued Visa-on-Arrival on 1 May 2025 under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025. All eligible travelers must now obtain e-Visa approval before departure; airlines check for the printed e-Visa Approval Letter (not the payment receipt) before boarding, and travelers without it are refused boarding or entry.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| any | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Apply for the e-Visa through the official Nigeria Immigration Service portal at least 2-4 weeks before travel.** (85% success)
   ```
   Register at evisa.immigration.gov.ng, complete the application and document upload, pay the fee, and wait for the emailed e-Visa Approval Letter (typically 24-48 hours, but plan for longer). Print the approval letter with its QR code and carry it, since airlines and port-of-entry officers check the letter, not the payment receipt.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Plan to apply for a Nigerian visa on arrival at the airport, as was possible before 2025** — Nigeria cancelled Visa-on-Arrival effective 1 May 2025 when the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 took effect. There is no airport visa counter for eligible categories anymore; the e-Visa must be approved before departure. (95% fail)
- **Board the flight to Nigeria with only the e-Visa payment confirmation email, assuming it doubles as the approval** — Airlines are required to check for the emailed e-Visa Approval Letter (with QR code and reference number) before boarding, not the earlier payment receipt. A fee payment without a subsequent approval notice does not satisfy the boarding check and can lead to denied boarding. (60% fail)