How to Apply for Nigeria Residence Permit- Updated

how to apply for nigeria resident permit

The Nigeria Residence Permit is officially referred to as the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card, CERPAC.  Usually, foreigners working in Nigeria are mandated to obtain the residence permit by applying for it ninety (90) days after they have started working the country.

The residence permit allows a foreigner to work and live in Nigeria legally without any form of harassment from immigration officials. The CERPAC allows also allows the holder to work and live in Nigeria for a period of two years after which it can be renewed. Renewal of CERPAC is subject to validity of the employer’s expatriate quota.

Nigeria Residence Permit for Expatriates

All categories of expatriates are expected to obtain the Residence Permit. For foreigners who have come to Nigeria to work through the Subject to Regularization Visa, obtaining the CERPAC is quite easy. Below is the list of individuals eligible for the expatriate residence permit;

  • International Students
  • Expatriates employees of companies
  • Dependents of expatriate employees
  • Foreign research fellows
  • Expatriates staff of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
  • Dependents of Expatriates staff of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
  • Foreign Missionaries and Clerics
  • Dependents of Foreign Missionaries and Clerics
  • Expatriate who are employees of companies operating in the Free Trade Zones ( FTZ) and their dependents

Step by Step Guideline to obtain Nigeria Residence Permit

Below is a step by step guideline on how to obtain your residence permit in Nigeria as long as you fall within the above listed category.

Step 1: Get all the Required Documents

The first thing to do is to get all necessary documents ready. It will be difficult to apply and you may not be granted a residence permit of you do not have complete documents.

 

The following documents are required to successfully obtain a residence permit in Nigeria;

  • Valid international passport to include the existing STR visa and arrival endorsement page.
  • An official application letter from employer (can also be School/ Embassy/NGO/INGO, MDAs or high commission as applicable) #. The letter should state the following;
    • Request for regularization of stay for the employee
    • Employers willingness to accept all immigration responsibility on behalf of the employee
  • Photocopy of applicant’s passport bio data page and other relevant pages
  • Three copies of recent passport photographs taken on a white background
  • Duly filled application form IMM22
  • Proof of CERPAC application form such CERPAC application payment receipt or bank teller
  • Copy of applicant’s valid National passport

 

Additional Documents

Below are additional documents for the different categories of expatriates. The following should be gathered in addition to the general documents listed above.

  1. For Expatriate Employees of companies and their dependents
  • A copy of applicant’s employment letter and letter of acceptance of employment
  • Applicant’s credentials, CV and certifications
  • Copy of Employers expatriate valid quota approval
  • Company’s Certificate of Incorporation
  • Applicant’s marriage certificate if applicable
  • Company’s business permit
  • Company’s Board of directors resolution ( For appointment of Managing Director and CEO)
  • Proof of registration with appropriate professional bodies as applicable

 

For expatriate Technical Officials of mission, Missionaries and Clerics and their dependents

  • A copy of applicant’s employment letter and letter of acceptance of employment

 

For International Students

  • Copy of applicants admission letter
  • Copy of acceptance of admission
  • Evidence of school fees payment

 

For International Research Fellows

  • Copy of letter of research fellowship offer
  • Applicant’s letter of acceptance of research fellowship

 

For Expatriates employed by companies operating in Free Trade Zone and their dependents

  • A letter from the Free Trade Zone management
  • Company’s Operating license
  • Applicants letter of employment offer
  • Applicant’s letter of acceptance of employment
  • Company’s certificate of registration with the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority ( NEPZA) or Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority
  • Applicant’s Marriage certificate as applicable
  • Company’s Board of directors resolution ( for the appointment of Managing Director and CEO)
  • Proof of registration with relevant professional bodies as applicable.

 

Also Read: Nigeria Temporary Work Permit – Requirements and Procedure

 

Expatriates who are employees of Federal, State or Local Government;

  • Applicants letter of employment offer
  • Proof of registration with relevant professional bodies as applicable
  • Applicant’s letter of acceptance of employment
  • Applicant’s Marriage certificate as applicable
  • Credentials, CV and certifications of applicant

 

Staff of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)

  • A copy of Memorandum of Understanding or Corporation Agreement with National Planning Commission
  • Copy of contract’s validity

 

Step 2:  Submission of Required Documents

After successfully providing all of the above listed documents, the next step is to submit to appropriate quarters. Usually applicants are expected to submit the document to at the Nigeria Immigration Service office where applicant is resident at the time of application.

Applications for residence permit can also be submitted to the office of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters Abuja as this is where your application will be processed.

 

Important Note for all Applicants:

Applicant must print out a registration slip and submit with documents

How to print registration slip;

  • Make payments for CERPAC online through approved banks
  • You will be issued a payment reference number (this can be found on the payment acknowledgment receipt).
  • Use your reference number to log in to the immigration website
  • Print out the registration slip to be submitted along your documents

 

Residence Permit Application Fees for Expatriates

The residence permit application fees for the above category of applicants is as follows;

  1. International students and Missionaries- $400 or its Naira equivalent
  2. Fees for expatriate working for federal , state or local government – Gratis
  3. Fees for expatriates working for NGO- $1, 000
  4. Fees for INGO – Gratis
  5. All categories of expatriates including those working for companies in Free Trade Zone – $1,000

 

Residence Permit Application Processing Period

The official timeline set aside for the processing of expatriates residence permit is five working days after receipt of application. However, applicants are advised that time may vary depending on conditions surrounding individual applications. Also incomplete documents may delay processing.

Note: The processing period for expatriates who are staff of NGOs an INGOs is about 10 working days.

 

Residence Card for ECOWAS Citizens

Citizens of ECOWAS countries are also required to obtain a residence permit to live in Nigeria. The following are the guidelines to follow to obtain a Nigeria residence permit as an ECOWAS citizen.

 

STEP I: Gather your documents

There following are documents required to obtain a residence card in Nigeria as an ECOWAS citizen:

  1. An application letter for the ECOWAS Residence Card. This should be written either by the applicants, their employer, the embassy or high commission to the Nigeria Immigration Service. The letter should state that whoever is writing accepts all immigration responsibility on behalf of the applicant.
  2. Two copies of applicant’s recent passport photographs on white background.
  3. A copy of the applicants passport data page or ECOWAS travel certificate
  4. Applicant’s ECOWAS travel certificate and National passport with minimum validity of six months
  5. Confirmation of e-payment for application
  6. Completely filled application form

 

Additional Documents

For ECOWAS citizens who are employees working in Nigeria, the following additional documents are required;

  1. A copy of applicants letter of employment and acceptance of employment letter
  2. Applicants curriculum vitae and credentials
  3. Certifications and proof of registration with relevant professional bodies nowhere applicable

 

STEP II: Complete your Application Form

After gathering all the required documents, the applicant is expected to fill the ECOWAS Residence card application form. You can fill your Application form online here

 

STEP III: Pay for your residence card application and obtain your Reference Number

After filling the form completely and accurately, the applicant is expected to make payment for the residence card application. After making the e-payment, applicants will be issued an Application ID and Reference number. Ensure you write these down somewhere and keep safe.

 

STEP IV:  Submit Your Application

The last step is the submission of your application documents. Submit all the required documents alongside the ECOWAS residence Card Application form at the designated immigration office in your country of residence.

Applications for the ECOWAS residence card can also be submitted to the office of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters Abuja as this is where your application will be processed.

 

ECOWAS RESIDENCE Card Application fees

The following are the specifies charges for ECOWAS residence card application;

  1. For Togolese citizens: N25, 000
  2. For citizens of Cote d’Ivoire: N6,580
  3. Fees for all other ECOWAS citizens : N500

 

ECOWAS Residence Card Processing Period

The official timeline set aside for the processing of ECOWS residence card is 48 hours after receipt of application. However, applicants are advised that time may vary depending on conditions surrounding individual applications. In addition, incomplete documents may delay processing hence applicant must make sure to submit all required documents and make copies for reference purpose.

 

For more information on how to successfully apply for the Nigerian Resident Permit , you can contact us or send us a message. Our team at of travel experts can also help you obtain your Nigerian Resident Permit without any hassle.

Phone: +2347033378184

Email: travelvisanig@gmail.com

WhatsApp: +2347033378184

 

Nigeria Resident Permit – How to Apply for Nigeria Residence Permit © www.travelvisa.ng

1 Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WANT TO CALL US? ClickHere!