Work permits and visas in Nigeria: a guide for employers

Hiring a foreign national to work in Nigeria means navigating a structured immigration framework administered by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), under the Ministry of Interior. The process involves securing the right permit category, maintaining an expatriate quota, and staying on top of renewal and notification obligations. This guide walks you through everything you need to know as an employer.

Overview of nigeria’s immigration framework

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is the authority responsible for issuing, managing, and cancelling work authorisations for foreign nationals in the country. Employers bear direct responsibility for ensuring their expat employees hold valid permits at all times. Non-compliance, including failing to notify NIS of a new hire or letting a permit lapse, can result in fines and penalties for the sponsoring company.

The expatriate quota

Before you can hire a foreign national in Nigeria, your company needs an Expatriate Quota (EQ) from the Federal Ministry of Interior. The EQ specifies the number and categories of expatriate positions your organisation is permitted to fill. Without an approved quota position, you can’t legally sponsor a foreign worker for a CERPAC.

If you’re working with an Employer of Record (EOR) in Nigeria, the EOR maintains its own expatriate quota and uses those positions to sponsor foreign employees on your behalf. This means you don’t need to apply for your own quota to get started.

Permit and visa types

Nigeria uses a layered system of permits and visas depending on the nature and duration of the assignment. Understanding which category applies to your hire is the first step.

Cerpac (combined expatriate residence permit and aliens card)

The CERPAC is the primary long-term work and residence authorisation for foreign nationals in Nigeria. Any expat who will be working in Nigeria beyond a short-term visit needs one. The NIS issues the CERPAC, and the employer sponsors the application.

CERPAC holders are permitted to live and work in Nigeria for the duration of the permit. It’s typically renewable annually, and employers are responsible for initiating renewal before expiry. The government fee is approximately USD 600, plus additional fees that vary by the employee’s nationality.

Str visa (subject to regularisation)

The STR Visa is an entry visa that allows the holder to enter Nigeria and then regularise their immigration status after arrival. It’s the standard gateway to obtaining a CERPAC. The employer initiates the STR Visa process before the employee travels, and the employee applies at the Nigerian consulate in their home country.

Temporary work permit (twp)

The Temporary Work Permit is designed for skilled foreign workers on specific short-term projects. It’s issued for up to three months and can be extended if the project runs longer. A Nigerian employer or EOR must sponsor the TWP application.

Business and short-term work authorisation

For short-term assignments, technical consultations, audits, or project visits, there’s a separate short-term work authorisation category. The government fee is approximately USD 400, plus nationality-dependent fees. This category doesn’t authorise long-term employment. It’s strictly for defined, time-limited engagements.

The cerpac application process

Securing a CERPAC for a new hire is a multi-step process that spans both the employee’s home country and Nigeria. Employers should plan for an end-to-end timeline of at least 8 to 12 weeks.

Here’s how the process works:

1. The employer or EOR confirms that an approved Expatriate Quota position is available.
2. The employee applies for an STR Visa at the Nigerian consulate in their home country. This typically takes 5 to 15 working days.
3. The employee enters Nigeria on the STR Visa.
4. The CERPAC application is submitted to the NIS within 90 days of the employee’s arrival.
5. Biometric capture takes place as part of the NIS processing.
6. The CERPAC is issued. It’s typically valid for one to two years and is renewable.

Document requirements

Both the employer and the employee need to provide documentation for the CERPAC application. Missing or incomplete documents are the most common source of delays, so it’s worth getting these together early.

Employer/EOR documents:

• Proof of Expatriate Quota approval
• Certificate of incorporation or EOR registration
• Tax clearance certificate
• Signed employment contract

Employee documents:

• Valid international passport with at least six months’ validity
• Completed visa and permit application forms
• Passport photographs
• Educational and professional qualifications
• Medical certificate (may be required depending on the role and nationality)
• Police clearance certificate

Employer obligations

Sponsoring an expat hire in Nigeria comes with ongoing compliance responsibilities, not just a one-time application. Here’s what you’re expected to manage:

• Notify NIS of new hires. You must notify the NIS when a foreign national commences employment under your sponsorship.
• Keep the CERPAC valid. It’s your responsibility to initiate renewal before the permit expires. A lapsed permit puts both the employee and the company at risk.
• Manage termination properly. When an expat’s employment ends, you must notify the NIS and arrange for the CERPAC to be cancelled or surrendered, typically within a few days of termination. Failure to do so carries fines and penalties.

Using an EOR to hire expats in nigeria

Expat hiring is supported through an EOR services arrangement in Nigeria, which means foreign companies can employ expatriates without setting up a local entity. The EOR acts as the legal employer on the ground, holds an Expatriate Quota, sponsors CERPAC applications, manages permit renewals, and handles NIS notifications.

This setup is particularly useful when you need to place a foreign national in Nigeria quickly, or when establishing a Nigerian entity isn’t commercially justified. The EOR takes on the immigration compliance burden, so your team doesn’t have to.

Contractors and immigration compliance

Foreign nationals engaged as contractors who are physically present in Nigeria need appropriate work authorisation just like employees do. A business visa or tourist visa doesn’t authorise paid work for a Nigerian entity. If your contractor arrangement involves the individual being in Nigeria, they’ll need either a Temporary Work Permit or a CERPAC, depending on the duration and scope of the engagement.

Misclassifying an expat worker as a contractor while they’re operating in Nigeria without the correct permit creates immigration risk for both parties. If you’re considering a contractor structure for a foreign national who will be on the ground in Nigeria, it’s worth reviewing the authorisation requirements carefully.

Summary of timelines and fees

RemotePass supports expat hiring in Nigeria, managing expatriate quota positions, CERPAC sponsorship, and employer-of-record services so you can bring international talent into your Nigerian team compliantly. Book a demo at https://remotepass.com/demo to get started.