Plan your trip in four steps
- 1
Step 01 · Documents
Check your visa & entry requirements
Entry requirements depend on your nationality. Many travellers qualify for Nigeria's e-visa or visa-on-arrival process through the official Nigeria Immigration Service portal — apply early and keep your approval letter with your travel documents. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
Check nationality rulesRECEIVE AN INVITATION LETTERApply online — F4A or e-VisaReceive approval by emailPrint & travel to LagosYellow Fever vaccination card required. All travellers must present a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate on arrival in Nigeria — carry the original card with your passport.
Business Single Entry Visa (F4A)
The visa most AFRIFF delegates use — for business meetings, conferences, seminars, training and trade fairs. No employment is permitted.
- Get an invitation letter from your Nigerian host — AFRIFF can issue one for registered delegates.
- Apply online and upload your passport (6+ months validity), a passport photo, the invitation letter, return ticket and hotel booking, then pay the visa fee.
- Receive your approved visa by email — valid 90 days from issuance, for a 30-day single-entry stay. Not extendable.
Visa on arrival (e-Visa pre-approval)
Apply online before you fly, then present your printed approval at passport control when you land in Lagos.
- Submit your application on the official e-Visa portal with your passport data page, a photo and your travel details, and pay online.
- Approval typically arrives by email within 48 hours or less, with a QR-coded approval letter — print it and keep it with your passport.
- Present the approval letter at passport control on arrival; entry is at authorised ports — Lagos (LOS) and Abuja airports.
Rules vary by nationality
- ECOWAS — West Africa: No visa needed. Citizens of ECOWAS member countries enjoy free movement and are exempt from entry permits or visas for short visits to Nigeria. You must present a valid national ECOWAS passport or an approved ECOWAS Travel Certificate.
- Rest of Africa: Most nationalities can apply online through the e-visa portal, and some enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival agreements — check your country's status before booking.
- Europe & the Americas: Eligible for the online e-visa in most short-stay categories, including the Business Single Entry Visa.
- Asia, Middle East & Oceania: Most nationalities can apply online; a few must apply through a Nigerian embassy or consulate — confirm before you travel.
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Step 02 · Getting here
Fly into Lagos (LOS)
All international flights land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS). The festival venues in Lekki and Victoria Island are typically 45–90 minutes away by road, depending on traffic — plan your arrival with time to settle in before opening night.
- Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos receives all long-haul arrivals. If you depart from North American and Europe, flights usually arrive at night after 9pm.
- Book flights that arrive by Friday 31 October or earlier, so you can collect your badge and settle in before AFRIFF Opening night on 1 November. The AFCM market begins on November 2nd until November 5th.
- Keep your documents in your carry-on: visa approval letter, invitation letter and hotel address — immigration officers may ask for them on landing.
- When booking your return, allow 3–4 hours of margin before departure. Lagos can experience dense traffic on the airport road.
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Step 03 · Where to stay
Book your stay near the venues
Official AFRIFF hotel partners and festival rates are being finalised and will be announced here soon. In the meantime, Lekki and Victoria Island offer the widest choice of hotels within easy reach of the screening and industry venues.
Hotel partners & booking details to be announced
- Festival Venues: Lekki Phase 1 and Victoria Island are the two neighbourhoods closest to the festival venues: Filmhouse Landmark, Twinwaters and The Palms Mall.
- Book early: hotel availability in Lagos tightens during major events, and November is high season for conferences.
- Hotel options: Most international hotel chains operate in Victoria Island, while Lekki offers boutique hotels and serviced apartments close to Twinwaters.
- Partners hotels: Official AFRIFF partner hotels with negotiated festival rates will be listed here as soon as agreements are confirmed. If you are a speaker or if you are part of a delegation, accomodation is co
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Step 04 · Festival transport
Plan your shuttles & transport
The AFRIFF shuttle service connecting official hotels and festival venues will be published with the programme. For independent travel, ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Bolt and inDrive are widely used across Lagos.
Shuttle routes & schedule to be announced
- The free festival shuttle will run between official hotels and the screening and industry venues during festival days — the timetable will be published with the programme.
- Uber, Bolt and inDrive all work reliably in Lagos; set your pickup point at the venue's designated ride-hailing zone to avoid congestion at exits.
- Peak traffic runs roughly 6:30–9:30 AM and 4–8 PM on the Lekki–Victoria Island corridor — leave well ahead of evening screenings.
- Carry small amounts of cash for tips and informal transport; most ride-hailing payments can be settled in-app by card.
Flights & Airlines
Direct connections to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (LOS). Schedules change through the year — confirm routes and fares with the airlines before booking.
International routes
- British Airwaysvia London
- Air Francevia Paris
- KLMvia Amsterdam
- Lufthansavia Frankfurt
- Turkish Airlinesvia Istanbul
- Emiratesvia Dubai
- Qatar Airwaysvia Doha
African & regional connections
- Ethiopian Airlinesvia Addis Ababa
- Kenya Airwaysvia Nairobi
- RwandAirvia Kigali
- EgyptAirvia Cairo
- Royal Air Marocvia Casablanca
- ASKY Airlinesvia Lomé
- Air Peacevia Regional & international
AFRIFF airline & hotel partners to be announced
See the festival venues