Nigerians can now travel to St. Kitts & Nevis visa-free, with both countries agreeing to ease travel requirements for short stays.

The recent visa-free travel agreement between Nigeria and St. Kitts & Nevis stemmed from high-level talks between Prime Minister Dr. Terrance M. Drew and President Bola Tinubu earlier this year, alongside wider consultations with leaders of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

While visas are no longer needed, officials have stressed that travelers must still meet standard entry conditions, including valid passports, proof of onward travel, and completion of arrival or departure documentation.

Officials explained that the waiver will reduce administrative barriers for business travelers, tourists, students, and diaspora visits, fostering deeper people-to-people connections.

However, getting flight to St. Kitts & Nevis from Nigeria can be challenging for Nigerian passport holders, as it typically requires two or three layovers that necessitate Schengen visas or a stopover in North America.

In June, Air Peace made history with a 10-hour non-stop flight from Abuja to St. Kitts, expanding its global reach.

The travelling route is: from Nigeria to Benin, to Togo, to Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and final destination ? St. Kitts and Nevis.

For those planning on visiting St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN), here?s what you need to know:

Stay Duration: As a Nigerian passport holder, you can now enter visa-free and stay up to 90 days per visa.

Flights from Lagos (LOS) to Basseterre (SKB) average $1,175?$1,852 USD (about ?1.8M??2.9M at current rates), depending on the season and airline.

Cost of Living: For a single person, expect monthly expenses around EC$3,500?5,000 (roughly ?1.9M?2.8M), covering rent, food, and basics. It?s pricier than Lagos but affordable for short stays with stunning value in fresh seafood and beach vibes.

Currency & Exchange: SKN uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$ or XCD), pegged at a fixed rate to the USD. As of today, 1 EC$ ? ?549.

Citizenship, residency and long-stay options (if relevant)

? St. Kitts and Nevis operates a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program and various residency permits. These require separate applications, legal advice, and substantial financial investment; engage an authorized agent or immigration lawyer for that route.

Practical tips:

? Keep copies of all documents (digital and physical)

? Notify your bank of travel to avoid card blocks.

? Carry sufficient local currency or a card; USD is widely accepted in many Caribbean jurisdictions, but local Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD) are used

? Respect local laws; penalties can be severe for drug offenses.(The Nation)

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