Introduction
A residence permit is an important legal document for expatriate employees, their dependants, foreign students, and various professionals, including missionaries, technical officials of missions, and researchers, to regularize their stay in Nigeria. The application requirements are tailored to each applicant’s category.
What you need
- Letter of Application for Regularization of Stay and Acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities by the employer, school, embassies, high commissions, international organizations, INGOs, NGOs, or MDAs (for government officials).
- Passport bio-data page of the expatriate.
- Copy of the STR visa page and arrival endorsement page.
- Form IMM 22 (Visa Application Form).
- Two recent passport photographs.
- Expatriate’s valid national passport.
- Evidence of purchase of Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) Form (bank teller).
In addition to the general requirements above, the following shall apply to each category of applicants:
- Expatriate Employees of Companies and Their Dependants
- Letter of offer of employment.
- Letter of acceptance of employment.
- Vetted academic credentials/qualifications.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Copy of valid quota approval.
- Certificate of incorporation.
- Marriage certificate (where applicable).
- Board of directors’ resolution (for the appointment of CEOs and managing directors).
- Evidence of registration with relevant professional bodies (where applicable).
- Business permit of the company.
- Expatriate Technical Officials of Missions
- Letter of offer of employment.
- Letter of acceptance of employment.
- Foreign Students
- Admission letter.
- Letter of acceptance of admission.
- Evidence of payment of school fees.
- Missionaries/Clerics and Their Dependants
- Letter of offer of employment.
- Letter of acceptance of employment.
- Research Fellows
- Letter of offer of research fellowship.
- Letter of acceptance of research fellowship.
- Expatriates Employed by Companies Operating in Free Trade Zones (FTZ) and Their Dependants
- Letter from the FTZ management.
- Certificate of registration with the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) or Oil & Gas Free Trade Zone Authority.
- Operating license.
- Letter of employment.
- Letter of acceptance of employment.
- Certificate of incorporation.
- Marriage certificate (where applicable).
- Board of directors’ resolution (for the appointment of CEOs and managing directors).
- Evidence of registration with relevant professional bodies (where applicable).
How to apply
- Visit the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters in Abuja or any office of the Comptroller of Immigration Service nearest to you.
- Submit a fresh application with the required documents, including a duly completed CERPAC statutory form
Payment
The cost of a residence permit is the naira equivalent of $2,000 per annum for all categories of expatriates and the naira equivalent of $400 per annum for students and missionaries.
Link
Report/complaint
If you witness any form of corruption or poor service delivery, contact the NIS Servicom Unit at 08021819988, 09121900655, 09121556359, 09121477092, or via nis.servicom@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng.
You can also contact us for guidance and to engage relevant authorities to help resolve any issues.