The Easiest Visas I’ve Ever Applied For (And Received!)

As of 2025, I’ve explored over 40 countries – some multiple times – while navigating the complex visa requirements and travel restrictions that come with holding a Nigerian passport. It’s wonderful to think that I have visited all these places while working full-time (and because of it), especially considering the additional hurdles faced by African passport holders in global mobility.

Despite the challenges that often accompany visa applications, I’ve found that some processes are surprisingly more straightforward than others. In this post, I’ll share my personal experiences with the easiest visas (excluding work visas) that I have received so far, and the ones that surprised me the most!

I’ve excluded countries that I visited visa-free or with a visa on arrival. Some of the countries on this list do offer e-visas, which are generally easy to obtain. The reason I’ve included them here is that I initially had certain preconceived notions about the application process, and when I finally went through it, I was pleasantly surprised.

So, let’s dive in! Here are the easiest visas I’ve applied for and successfully received as a Nigerian citizen living in both Nigeria and Kenya.

Japan: A Pleasant Surprise

Have you ever prejudged a country’s visa process to be incredibly difficult, despite having no prior experience with it? That was exactly my mindset with Japan. I had convinced myself that obtaining a Japanese visa would be more challenging than threading a camel through a needle’s eye!

To my absolute delight, the process turned out to be not only straightforward but also remarkably affordable. What stood out most was the embassy’s efficient and respectful approach. During the document pre-check, when they discovered I was missing one document, they simply asked me to email it to them. This was a refreshing contrast to many other embassies that might have used the same scenario as the basis for a visa denial.

The entire process was surprisingly cost-effective at about $25 (paid only after approval), and the visa was processed in a few days. You can read my comprehensive Japanese visa application post here.

Canada: Breaking Down Preconceptions

A few years ago, a friend of mine was frustrated because her Canadian visa application had been pending for over six months. At the time, I couldn’t believe a visitor’s visa process could take that long. The upside, though, is that you get to keep your passport while waiting for a decision.

Still, that experience left me subconsciously avoiding the Canadian visa unless it became absolutely necessary. That changed when we visited Glacier National Park and had the option to cross into Canada, only to realise I couldn’t go.

That moment was enough motivation for me to finally give the application a try. To my surprise, the entire process took less than a month from start to finish. I hear it’s even faster now for applicants who already hold valid US visas. I wrote about the application process here, if you want to give it a go as well!

Moving on, we have Thailand…

Thailand: Patience is a Virtue

A few years ago, I had the itch to visit Thailand. But after watching my colleague struggle through the tedious process of gathering all the required documents and then flying down to Abuja to apply in person, my excitement quickly faded.

Years later, after moving to Kenya, I discovered that the application process in Nairobi was seamless and straightforward, without all the extra paperwork that had discouraged me back in Nigeria. I submitted my application and, to my surprise, received the visa in just two days, making this one of the easiest visas I’ve applied for as a Nigerian citizen.

Key takeaway: Location matters when applying for visas. The same country’s visa process can vary significantly depending on which embassy or consulate you apply through.

South Korea: From Distant Dream to Reality

Several years ago, Nigeria was among the countries whose citizens could enter South Korea without a visa for a limited number of days, provided they were travelling onward to a third country like the US or Canada. But, as with many Nigerian visa stories, we were soon removed from that list. After that update, South Korea felt like a distant dream for me.

Still, I think that initial policy gave me the courage to eventually apply, and I’m glad I did. The process turned out to be seamless, the required documents were easy to gather, and the approval came through quickly. It’s even faster now, since the South Korean embassy allows applicants to keep their passports while their visas are being processed. Here’s an article with all the details about applying for the South Korean visa as a Nigerian citizen.

Namibia: Second Time’s the Charm

My first Namibian visa was a work visa, and since my employer handled all the paperwork, all I had to do was show up at the airport and get my stamp. Later, when it came time to apply for a tourist visa, I found the process surprisingly easy.

The only slight hurdle was having to physically DHL my passport to Tanzania, but everything went smoothly – the visa was processed in just two days, and my passport was returned shortly after. On that trip, I was able to revisit Namibia and see many of the places I had missed the first time. Experiencing the country’s incredible landscapes and scenery without the stress of a complicated visa process felt like such a blessing.

Malaysia: A Mixed Bag with Pleasant Surprises

Malaysia making this list is a bit of a hit and miss, but I’m trying to be objective, so we’ll leave it in. The e-visa was easy to obtain, though I did have some issues with it at the land border. Ultimately, this was a country that surprised me initially (and then went on to meet the expectations of border hostility that I had heard of). But just focusing on the visa alone, it was a good experience.

Pro tip: Even when the visa process is smooth, always be prepared for potential complications at border crossings, especially at land borders. This is the burden we bear as holders of a “weak” travel document.

Hong Kong: Last-Minute Savings and Unexpected Opportunities

Hong Kong was a fairly last-minute decision to save some costs while exploring a new destination. I was planning my Japan and South Korea combined trip in March and saw that there was a long layover in Hong Kong. By rerouting my flight through the city, I could save over $600 in flight costs. Getting the visa was an easy decision.

It did take a while to obtain, but when I did, it was worth it. I didn’t even know we would be eligible to apply, so this was a great surprise for me. Hong Kong was amazing – I do hope we still get to keep this privilege, or better yet, the application gets even more simplified.

France: A Welcoming Schengen Experience

Applying for Schengen visas as a Nigerian citizen can be quite difficult, but I have had surprisingly good experiences applying for the visa from France multiple times. The only other country I have applied for a Schengen visa from is Germany, and while the process seemed similar to France’s process, France seemed more welcoming – if you can believe that – than Germany.

In addition, the duration given was more generous than the latter. I’ve consistently received 3-6 month multiple-entry visas from France, each allowing stays of at least 30 days. However, when I applied to Germany, I only received a 3-month visa validity of just 14 days permitted stay time.

Singapore: Friendly Service Makes All the Difference

Finally, Singapore. This makes the list because of how easy it was to get the prerequisite documentation, as well as the friendliness of the visa officer I interacted with. I applied online via the embassy in Pretoria, and it was one of the most courteous immigration interactions I’ve ever experienced.

Immigration in Singapore – both at the airport and land border was also very welcoming. I just know it’s a country I’ll be visiting again someday, and I’m hoping the visa process for Nigerians will become even more straightforward by then.

Key Takeaways for Nigerian Travellers

After navigating these various visa processes, here are some insights I’d like to share:

1. Don’t let preconceptions hold you back – Many countries I assumed would be difficult turned out to have straightforward processes.
2. Location matters – The same visa can have vastly different application experiences depending on which embassy you apply through.
3. Timing varies significantly – Some visas come through in days, others take weeks or months. Plan accordingly.
4. Research current policies – Visa requirements and processes change frequently, so always check the latest information.
5. Have backup plans – Even “easy” visas can sometimes have unexpected complications.

Final Thoughts on the Easiest Visas for Nigerian Passport Holders

While holding a Nigerian passport does present challenges in terms of global mobility, my experiences have shown me that many destinations offer surprisingly easy visa processes – you just need to know where to look. The countries mentioned above consistently rank among the easiest visas I’ve obtained, and I hope this guide helps other Nigerian travellers identify accessible destinations they might have previously considered too difficult to reach.

Remember, every traveller’s experience is different, and visa policies change regularly. What worked for me might not work exactly the same way for you, but I hope sharing these experiences with the easiest visas encourages other Nigerian travellers to explore destinations they might have avoided.

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