Egypt is a popular destination for Nigerian travelers — for tourism, medical treatment, study at Egyptian universities, business and family visits. This guide covers what Nigerian passport holders should establish before booking anything. For the wider picture across the continent, see our guide to Egypt visa and entry requirements for African travellers, which explains what the official e-Visa list covers and how routes differ by nationality.

What the official e-Visa list says about Nigeria

Egypt publishes the nationalities that may apply for its online e-Visa on the official portal at visa2egypt.gov.eg. Nigeria is not currently on that list, so the online e-Visa route is generally not open to Nigerian passport holders.

That is a statement about one route. It does not mean you cannot travel to Egypt — it means the online application is not the path, and you need to establish which path is.

The consular route — what applying through an Egyptian mission involves

Where the e-Visa route is closed, the usual alternative is applying to an Egyptian embassy or consulate. A consular application typically asks for a completed application form, a passport valid for at least six months, passport photographs, proof of accommodation or an invitation, and a return ticket.

Two things are worth knowing in advance. Egyptian missions publish lists of nationalities that require prior clearance before a visa can be issued, and where clearance applies it is measured in weeks rather than days. And consular appointments are usually made in advance rather than by walking in.

We cannot verify the fees or the processing time at the Egyptian mission in Nigeria, and we will not publish numbers we cannot stand behind. Figures published by Egyptian missions in other countries apply to applications made at those missions, not to Nigeria. The Egyptian embassy or consulate is the authority on its own process — ask them directly, and start early.

Confirm your route before you book

Visa rules depend on nationality and change over time. Before you pay for anything, send MISR VISA your passport nationality, travel dates and purpose. We will tell you what we believe applies to your trip — including whether OK-to-Board support applies to your booking — and we will tell you plainly if something about your plan looks like a problem.

Requirements can change. Confirm with the relevant Egyptian authority and your airline before travel.

Choosing your flight from Lagos or Abuja

From Lagos and Abuja, the two airlines we work with for Cairo are:

  • EgyptAir — Egypt's national carrier, flying into its Cairo hub
  • Ethiopian Airlines — via Addis Ababa, with frequent departures

These are the airlines through which we can usually arrange OK-to-Board fastest, normally within 24–48 hours. Read why in our OK-to-Board guide.

Documents to prepare

Useful whichever route turns out to apply to you:

  • International passport valid for 6+ months
  • Confirmed return ticket
  • Hotel booking or an invitation address in Egypt
  • Proof of funds for your stay — bank statement or cards
  • Purpose documents where relevant: hospital letter, university admission or business invitation

What it costs

There are two separate costs, and it helps to keep them apart.

The OK-to-Board or service fee. There is no fixed price. It changes day by day and depends on your nationality and airline, so we never publish a figure that could be out of date tomorrow. Send us your nationality, passport and ticket and we will tell you today's price before you pay anything.

Any fee charged at the border. Where a visa is issued on arrival at Cairo International Airport it is currently USD 36 — a USD 30 visa fee plus a USD 6 service charge, set by the Egyptian authorities. Whether that route applies to you depends on your nationality, passport, airline and the requirements in force when you travel, so treat it as the cost of that route rather than a cost you are certain to pay.

If you apply through an Egyptian mission instead, that mission sets its own fee. We cannot verify the current amount in Nigeria.

Practical note: carry a Visa or Mastercard enabled for international payments, plus some US dollars in cash, and change money at banks or official exchange offices in Egypt for the best Egyptian pound rate.

What happens when you arrive

Once your airline confirms any required boarding clearance, you can go on with your travel preparations. The entry and visa process at Cairo International Airport depends on your nationality, passport, airline and the requirements applicable to your trip, and admission is decided by the Egyptian authorities at the border. We will explain what to expect before you travel — see our Egypt visa on arrival guide for how the arrival process works.

Keep your documents printed and your card ready.

Common mistakes

  • Booking a non-refundable ticket before confirming your route. This is the most expensive mistake we see.
  • Assuming the online e-Visa applies. Nigeria is not on the published list.
  • Treating OK-to-Board as a visa. It is an airline boarding clearance and does not decide whether you are admitted to Egypt.
  • Relying on advice written for a different passport. Most Egypt travel articles are written for European or North American travelers.
  • Leaving it to the last few days. Airline clearances and document checks take time, and a consular route can take considerably longer.

Ready to start? Apply on our secure form — you get a tracking number immediately and our Cairo team updates you on WhatsApp. Travelling for medical treatment or study? Add airport pickup and accommodation so everything is ready when you land.