Visa Restrictions Push Nigerians to New Holiday Destinations
Chinedu Eze Stringent visa protocols introduced by the United States, some European and Asian countries, including the xenophobia in South Africa have forced Nigerians to discover new destinations during the
Visa restrictions imposed by various countries, coupled with xenophobia in South Africa, have pushed Nigerian travelers to seek alternative destinations during the summer holidays of 2026. Among these new destinations are African nations like Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritius, and Ghana. These countries have eased entry requirements such as offering visa-on-arrival or e-visas, accepting local currencies, and granting visa-free access to Nigerian passport holders.
Kenya, in particular, has welcomed Nigerian visitors without requiring a pre-travel Electronic Travel Authorization or a visa, allowing stays of up to 60 days. Kenya's tourist numbers have seen a surge in 2025, with the country hosting 2.7 million visitors, making it the leading source of international visitors to the African continent.
Nigerian travelers to Kenya have experienced a notable increase in interest since Kenya's policy shift in July 2025, with Kenya Airways reporting a significant rise in passenger numbers from Nigeria, driven by the eased entry rules. This shift has prompted the airline to expand its flight capacities and frequencies from Lagos. Similarly, Ghana reported that over 176,000 Nigerian travelers visited the country in 2025, highlighting the significant scale of Nigerian outbound tourism within the continent.
Additionally, Rwanda is visa-free for Nigerian passport holders for short stays, allowing a 30-day single-entry visa upon arrival, known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills" for its wildlife and clean cities. Egypt, with its treasure trove of ancient history, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Nile River, also welcomes Nigerian travelers with a visa on arrival for $30 or via the e-visa platform.
However, the United Kingdom and the United States have maintained strict immigration policies, with the UK increasing its scrutiny of visa misuse and the US imposing new travel restrictions, effectively barring Nigerians from entering the country. The cost of air travel to these new destinations has also increased due to summer demand, with return tickets from Nigeria to Kenya, Egypt, and Rwanda averaging around N1.3 million in August and September, a 62.5% increase.
While the popularity of European destinations remains, Nigerians continue to explore other continents, particularly Africa, due to the more favorable visa policies.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
