China visa for Nigerians requires thorough documentation including a detailed day-by-day itinerary and hotel bookings. The large Nigerian-Chinese trade relationship means business visas are common.
Key Warnings
A detailed day-by-day itinerary is mandatory — vague travel plans are a common rejection reason.
All hotel bookings must be confirmed (not just held). Use hotels that provide direct booking confirmation.
Chinese Embassy Lagos has limited processing hours — arrive very early.
Insider Tips
For business visa, get an official invitation letter from your Chinese partner on company letterhead with Chinese business license number.
Canton Fair participants: China issues special trade fair visas — apply through the Fair organizer for faster processing.
Keep your application simple and consistent — inconsistencies between stated purpose and itinerary trigger rejections.
Step-by-Step Guide
Build the day-by-day itinerary first
China wants a dated plan that matches your flights and hotel bookings city by city. This is the document most often sent back, and everything else is checked against it, so it is worth writing before you book anything.
Confirm — do not just hold — every hotel booking
The consulate expects confirmed reservations covering the whole stay, not provisional holds. Book somewhere that issues a direct confirmation you can print.
Complete Form V.2013 and gather the financial pack
Three months of bank statements showing consistent credits rather than one large deposit, an employment letter or business registration, and a passport photo at 33×48mm on white. For business travel, add an invitation on the Chinese company's letterhead carrying its business licence number.
Submit in person in Lagos and allow about two weeks for a slot
The Visa Application Centre on Walter Carrington Crescent takes submissions in the morning and returns passports in the afternoon. Queues are long — arrive early.
Collect after 4–10 working days
Seven working days is typical. Express processing is available at extra cost. Check the visa's entry count and validity before leaving the counter.
Required Documents
Valid passportMinimum 6 months validity
Completed Chinese visa application (Form V.2013)Available at Chinese Embassy or online
Passport photo (33×48mm, white background)
Round-trip flight itinerary
Hotel booking for entire stay in ChinaMust be a confirmed reservation
Bank statement (last 3 months)Minimum ₦500,000 equivalent
Employment letter or business registration
Detailed day-by-day travel itinerary
Recommended (Optional)
Invitation letter from Chinese company or individualRequired for business visa. Strongly recommended for tourism.
Additional income proof
Why Applications Get Rejected
Incomplete or inconsistent itinerary
Fix: Provide detailed day-by-day itinerary matching hotel and flight bookings
Insufficient financial proof
Fix: Show strong bank statement with consistent credits
No invitation letter for business visits
Fix: Obtain official invitation from Chinese host company
No published rejection rate. China's National Immigration Administration publishes no visa refusal statistics by nationality.
Checked August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Nigerians get a China visa for the Canton Fair?
Yes. Nigerian traders attending the Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair, held biannually in Guangzhou) can apply for a business (F) visa. The Fair organizers issue official invitation letters that significantly speed up the visa process. Contact your Canton Fair registration agent for the invitation letter.
Is China visa-free for Nigerians?
No. As of 2025, Nigerian passport holders require a visa to enter China. China has expanded visa-free access to several countries but Nigeria is not currently included. Always verify current status at the Chinese Embassy Nigeria website before travel.
China visa cost in Naira?
Approximately $140 (~₦193,000) plus service fees (~₦41,000) = total ~₦234,000. Express processing costs extra.