Visitor visa
Nigerians need a visitor visa — not an ETA
Not on Appendix ETA — Standard Visitor visa
Nigeria is not on Appendix ETA. A Nigerian passport needs a Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK. Lagos and Abuja visa centres handle biometrics after you apply on GOV.UK. The ETA app is the wrong product — even if a travel blog showed Americans getting one in minutes. Transit through Heathrow toward the US or Canada often still needs the correct UK transit or visitor permission; check the GOV.UK transit tool. Dual British–Nigerian citizens travel British.
Standard Visitor visa on GOV.UK →
Nigerian travel facts
| Passport | Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Roll-out | Not on Appendix ETA — Standard Visitor visa |
| What you need | Standard Visitor visa |
| Stay | Usually up to 6 months as a visitor |
| Work | Not allowed on visit permission |
| Landside transit | Usually a visa or transit visa — check GOV.UK |
Mistakes nigerians make
- Paying a Lagos agent for an ETA file that cannot succeed on a Nigerian passport.
- Self-transfer at Heathrow landside without a visa.
London notes for Nigerian arrivals
Virgin and BA from Lagos use Heathrow T3/T5. After a valid visa, use contactless on TfL. Do not plan to ‘find work and switch’ from a visitor visa — that is not how UK switching rules work.
FAQs
- Can Nigerians use the UK ETA app?
- Not as a lawful visitor route. You need a visa.
- What about transit only?
- Use the GOV.UK ‘check if you need a visa’ tool. Many Nigerian travellers need a transit visa if they pass the UK border.
Other passports
Bodhixt is not affiliated with UKVI. Confirm on GOV.UK before you book. Apply via https://www.gov.uk/eta only.