The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Getting the Nigeria e-Yellow Card Online (2026)

If you are planning to travel in or out of Nigeria, having an e-Yellow Card is a mandatory legal requirement. The Nigerian Port Health Services enforces this strictly, and without it, you can be denied boarding or face heavy fines.

Gone are the days of the old paper Yellow Cards. The Nigerian government has fully transitioned to a digital portal that issues a QR-coded e-Yellow Card to prevent fraud. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about getting your card quickly and legitimately in 2026.

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What is the e-Yellow Card?

The e-Yellow Card is the digital version of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). It proves that you have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever. The transition to a digital, QR-coded system was made to combat fake paper certificates. The authorities scan the QR code to verify its authenticity instantly from the government database. Old handwritten paper cards are no longer accepted anywhere in Nigeria.

Official Cost and Hidden Fees

Many travelers fall victim to touts and middlemen who charge exorbitant amounts to procure the card.

The official, government-mandated fee for the e-Yellow Card is exactly ₦2,000. This payment must be made online via Remita, the official payment gateway for the Federal Government. Any physical location or individual asking for more than this is overcharging you.

Step-by-Step Online Registration Process

To ensure you pay the official rate and get your legitimate e-Yellow Card, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Go to the official Nigerian Ministry of Health portal at https://yellowcard.health.gov.ng.
2. Register/Login: Click on the registration button. You will need to provide your basic details, including your passport number and personal information.
3. Generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR): Follow the prompts to generate an RRR. This is the unique code you will use to make your ₦2,000 payment.
4. Make Payment: Pay the ₦2,000 fee using your card online or take the RRR to any Nigerian bank branch to pay in cash.
5. Print Your Receipt: Once your payment is successful, download and print your payment confirmation receipt. This receipt is your proof of payment.

Physical Office Locations

After completing the online payment, you must visit a physical Port Health Services clinic to get vaccinated and receive the actual e-Yellow Card.

Bring your printed receipt and your international passport to one of these locations:

• Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos): Port Health Services desk, usually located near the toll gate or inside the international terminal.
• Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja): Port Health Services office at the airport.
• State Ministry of Health Secretariats: Most state secretariats have a Port Health division that can administer the vaccine and issue the card.

Once vaccinated, the official will capture your details into the system, and issue you your new, QR-coded e-Yellow Card immediately.

Timing & Validity Rules

Crucial Warning: The e-Yellow Card only becomes valid 10 days after the vaccination is administered.

If you get vaccinated and travel on the same day or within the 10-day window, the card will be deemed invalid at the airport, and you may face significant travel delays or be denied boarding entirely. Plan ahead and ensure you complete this process at least two weeks before your travel date. Once obtained, the Yellow Fever vaccination is valid for life.