Visa Invitation Letter (Nigeria)

A Visa Invitation Letter in Nigeria communicates the sender's formal position on the matter and the response it requires.

Nigerian visa categories relevant to invitation letters include: the Business Visa (STR Visa subject to regularisation) for short-term business visits; the Temporary Work Permit (TWP) for skilled foreign workers; the CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) for long-term expatriate residents under the NIS Expatriate Quota system; and the Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa for professionals and investors. The NIS Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) scheme, launched in 2019, allows pre-approved business visitors from select countries to obtain a visa on arrival at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, but still requires an approved letter of invitation from a registered Nigerian company verified by the NIS.

For corporate invitation letters, the inviting Nigerian company must be duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under CAMA 2020 and must provide its RC number, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Tax Identification Number (TIN), and evidence of regulatory good standing. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has efficient the visa invitation process for foreign investors through its Investment Facilitation Service, allowing NIPC-registered investors to obtain business visas more expeditiously.

Under Section 18 of the Immigration Act 2015, the inviting party in Nigeria may assume responsibility for the conduct, upkeep, and repatriation of the invited foreign national during their stay in Nigeria, creating a legal obligation on the part of the inviter to confirm the visitor complies with Nigerian immigration laws and departs on or before the expiry of their authorised stay.

The legal framework governing the Visa Invitation Letter (Nigeria) in Nigeria draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Parties executing a Visa Invitation Letter (Nigeria) in Nigeria should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 sets the foundational requirements.

A Visa Invitation Letter for Nigeria is required whenever a foreign national applies for a Nigerian visa that requires proof of an established connection or purpose in Nigeria.

A visa invitation letter is required when a foreign business executive, investor, or consultant applies for a Nigerian Business Visa (STR subject to regularisation) to attend meetings, negotiate contracts, conduct due diligence, or visit business partners in Nigeria. The NIS requires a letter from the Nigerian host company on company letterhead.

A visa invitation letter is needed when a foreign national applies for a Nigerian Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) and must first obtain NIS pre-approval through a registered Nigerian company's letter of invitation, submitted electronically through the NIS Visa-on-Arrival portal before travel.

A visa invitation letter is required when a foreign employee or expatriate worker is being seconded to a Nigerian subsidiary or branch, and the Nigerian company must provide a detailed invitation and undertaking letter to support the Temporary Work Permit (TWP) or Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa application.

A visa invitation letter is needed when a foreign academic, researcher, or conference delegate applies for a Nigerian visa to attend a conference, workshop, or academic event hosted by a Nigerian university, research institute, or professional body.

A visa invitation letter is required when an individual Nigerian citizen or resident invites a foreign family member or friend to visit Nigeria for tourism or a family occasion, providing personal assurances about the visitor's accommodation, financial support, and compliance with immigration conditions under Section 18 of the Immigration Act 2015.

Parties in Nigeria should prepare a Visa Invitation Letter (Nigeria) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.

A Nigeria Visa Invitation Letter must contain the following essential elements to satisfy the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian embassy or consulate processing the visa application.

Inviter's Details: Full legal name, address, telephone number, email, and passport or National Identity Number (NIN) of the inviting individual; or for companies, the full company name, CAC RC number, FIRS TIN, registered office address, and the name and designation of the authorised signatory. Company letters must be on official letterhead.

Invitee's Details: Full legal name, nationality, passport number, and date of birth of the foreign national being invited, exactly as they appear on the foreign national's travel passport.

Purpose and Duration of Visit: A clear and specific statement of the purpose of the visit — business meetings, investment discussions, conference attendance, family visit, tourism — and the intended duration of the visit, including proposed arrival and departure dates. Vague or ambiguous purpose statements may result in visa refusal.

Accommodation Details: The address where the invitee will be staying during their visit to Nigeria — whether at the inviter's residence, a hotel, a company guesthouse, or other accommodation. For corporate invitations, the hotel or company guest house details should be specified.

Undertaking: For corporate invitations, an undertaking by the inviting company that the invitee will comply with Nigerian immigration laws and regulations, will depart on or before the expiry of the authorised stay, and will not engage in activities outside the scope of the visa category. Under Section 18 of the Immigration Act 2015, the inviting party may be held responsible for costs of repatriation if the invitee overstays.

Company Credentials: For corporate invitation letters — particularly for Visa-on-Arrival pre-approval applications — copies of the inviting company's CAC certificate of incorporation, FIRS TIN certificate, and current year tax clearance certificate are typically required by the NIS or the Nigerian embassy to verify the company's legitimacy.

Authorised Signature: Signature of the inviting individual or authorised company officer, with full name, designation, and date.

Additional compliance elements for a Visa Invitation Letter (Nigeria) used in Nigeria include: Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Nigeria-compliant documentation.