Quick answer
To open a domiciliary account in Nigeria, choose a bank, confirm current requirements, prepare BVN, valid ID, address evidence, passport photograph, references or opening deposit if required, then request the account and SWIFT details through the bank's official process.
This guide is written for Nigerians who need a practical next step. It gives the direct answer first, then shows what to verify, what to prepare, what mistakes to avoid and which related Explainer.NG pages can help.
Who needs one
Domiciliary accounts are useful for freelancers, remote workers, importers, travellers, parents paying foreign school fees and Nigerians receiving money from abroad.
A domiciliary account is different from a naira savings account because the balance is held in foreign currency such as USD, GBP or EUR.
Before opening one, decide the exact job the account should do. Receiving freelance income, paying tuition and keeping travel funds can involve different bank rules, documents and charges.
If you only need to receive occasional family support, compare whether a normal remittance route is cheaper before opening an account you may not use often.
- Remote work income
- Foreign school fees
- Import payments
- Travel savings
- Diaspora family support
- Export proceeds
Documents to prepare
Banks can change requirements, so call or check the bank's current account-opening page before visiting. Common requirements include BVN, valid ID, address evidence, passport photograph and sometimes references or minimum opening deposit.
Make sure your names match across BVN, NIN, passport and bank profile before applying.
If you are opening for business use, ask whether the bank needs CAC documents, tax details, invoices or evidence of the foreign-currency source.
Keep scanned copies of everything submitted. They may be useful later if the bank asks for updated KYC or if you need evidence for visa, tax or client records.
After opening
Ask for your domiciliary account number, currency, SWIFT or BIC code and any correspondent-bank details needed for international transfers.
Confirm charges, inflow rules and whether cash withdrawal, card use or online transfers are available.
Do a small test transfer before relying on the account for a deadline. International transfers can fail because of wrong intermediary details, name mismatch or incomplete purpose information.
Keep records of inflows and outflows, especially if the money relates to school fees, work income, business imports or travel evidence.
Checklist
- Choose bank
- Confirm requirements
- Prepare BVN and ID
- Check name consistency
- Request SWIFT details
- Confirm charges
People also ask
Can I open a domiciliary account online?
Some banks may start the process online, but many still require branch verification.
Which currencies are common?
USD, GBP and EUR are common.
Do I need BVN?
Banks commonly require BVN for account opening.
Can freelancers use it?
Yes, especially when receiving foreign currency.
Is it the same as a dollar card?
No. A domiciliary account is a bank account; a card is a payment instrument.