How long does it take to get a nigerian visa from the embassy? im an american.?

Alejandro J

You will probably be waiting for a month. Most embassies write down that if you apply, you can pay for expedited service so that you can receive your visa and passport back in a very quick manner. If you paid the service, you will receive it back in the time you paid for it. But if you paid regular service, it can take up to a month to get your passport and visa back. You might also try calling them to check on the status of it and se how long it will take. Their embassy is very good in helping people out with their visas.

The next gentleman disagreed with me and yet his answer was exactly the same as mine. If you pay for expedited service, you will get it in the manner in which you paid. If you go for 2 to 3 day service, that is what you will get. If you decided to take your chances with the less expensive service, you will wait for a month, perhaps longer. I had a friend who was doing a study abroad and he waited for 4 weeks for his visa and passport since he didn't pay the expedited service. It is like all embassies and consulates, you will get it usually in the manner in which you pay for it. If you pay faster service, which is what they want you to do, you will get it in a quicker manner.

wenteast

I must strongly disagree with Alejandro -- the Nigerian Embassy can be TERRIBLE at getting visas back to people in a timely manner. It's very hit and miss (sometimes I think they are trying to funnel people toward the more profitable expedited service; sometimes I wonder if thy are looking for a little "dash" -- the Nigerian word for a small tip or bribe; other reasons include their extremely misguided and childish view of "reciprocity" -- Foreign Minister Maduekwe periodically says that if more Nigerians [despite their horrible fraud and overstay rates!!] aren't given more visas to foreign countries, all other nations will feel their wrath when they apply). Or a combination of all of the above.

Bottom line -- they have no set, reliable procedure, ESPECIALLY during Christmas time. It could be a week or a month. Keep checking with them -- they shouldn't be too offended (NIgerians are the most assertive people on the Continent) and it might help. Be polite -- Nigerians are the most protocol-insistent people I've ever met -- and give the personal angle, if there is one. Everything is Nigeria is done on the basis of personal relationships (and a little cash under the table) rather than law, procedure, statute, efficiency, or even morality.

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