Nigeria Visa & Work Permit Guide

All non-Nigerian nationals must obtain the appropriate immigration authorization before legally working in Nigeria. The right pathway depends heavily on whether the work involves hands-on or technical activity — a distinction that trips up many employers and often results in visa misuse.

• Business Visa: For short-term, non-hands-on activities like meetings, negotiations, and feasibility studies.
• Temporary Work Permit (TWP): A cable approval from the Comptroller-General of Immigration, required for short-term technical or hands-on work.
• STR + CERPAC: For long-term employment, tied to an employer's approved expatriate quota.

Details on each pathway, including eligibility, validity, and compliance considerations, are below.

Sources: 

• https://immigration.gov.ng/ 
• https://interior.gov.ng/

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Business Visa

For foreign nationals conducting short-term business activities in Nigeria — such as meetings, negotiations, non-hands-on consultancy engagements, conferences, or feasibility studies. This visa does not authorize hands-on or technical work of any kind.

• Validity: Typically 30 to 90 days
• Sponsorship: Invitation from a Nigerian company or organization generally required
• Transferable: Not applicable
• Processing time: Up to 3 months depending on application route
• Renewable: Yes
• Extensions: May be extended up to 180 days through local immigration authorities
• Dependents Permit: Not available under this route

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a non-Nigerian national
• Valid passport
• Invitation letter or documented business purpose
• Evidence of sufficient financial resources
• Valid health insurance
• Return or onward travel arrangements
• Activities must remain non-hands-on and temporary, and must not require long-term employment authorization
• Inviting company or organization must be registered in Nigeria

⚠️ Compliance note: Business Visas are frequently misused for technical or hands-on work in Nigeria, which is a violation subject to penalties, deportation, and blacklisting for both the individual and the sponsoring employer. Any hands-on technical activity requires a Temporary Work Permit (TWP), issued via a cable approval from the Comptroller-General of Immigration.

Sources: 

• https://immigration.gov.ng/
• https://interior.gov.ng/

Temporary Work Permit (TWP)

The Temporary Work Permit (TWP) is for foreign nationals performing short-term technical or hands-on work in Nigeria — such as equipment installation, machinery repair, technical servicing, or specialized on-site technical support. 

The TWP is not a standard visa category; it is a specific cable approval issued by the Comptroller-General of Immigration (sometimes referred to as the "Comptroller-General Cable" or "CG Cable Approval"). It is required whenever the assignment involves hands-on technical activity, regardless of how brief the engagement is.

• Validity: Typically up to 60 or 90 days
• Sponsorship: Application submitted by the Nigerian host company or employer on behalf of the foreign national
• Transferable: Not applicable
• Processing time: Varies
• Renewable: Limited; intended for short, defined engagements rather than repeated or ongoing renewal
• Extensions: Generally not designed for extension beyond the approved short-term period
• Dependents Permit: Not available under this route

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a non-Nigerian national
• Valid passport
• Documented technical or hands-on scope of work
• Sponsoring Nigerian company must be registered and submit the cable application on the individual's behalf
• Assignment must be genuinely short-term and technical in nature, not a substitute for long-term employment authorization
• Evidence of relevant technical qualifications or role tied to the work being performed

⚠️ Compliance note: Employers sometimes default to a Business Visa for technical assignments instead of the TWP. This is a compliance violation regardless of how short the engagement is. 

Sources: 

• https://immigration.gov.ng/ 
• https://interior.gov.ng/

STR Visa + CERPAC (Long-Term Work Authorization)

For foreign nationals employed by Nigerian companies on a long-term basis.

The process typically begins with obtaining a Subject to Regularization (STR) visa outside Nigeria. Upon arrival, the foreign national completes registration and receives a CERPAC card, which functions as both a residence permit and work authorization document.

• Validity: Up to 2 years depending on employment contract
• Sponsorship: Required
• Transferable: No
• Processing time: Up to 8 months
• Renewable: Yes
• Dependents Permit: Available through separate family reunification procedures
• Qualifying dependents: Spouse or registered partner and minor children under 18

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a non-Nigerian national
• Valid full-time job offer from a Nigerian employer
• Employer must possess an approved expatriate quota slot
• Employment must comply with Nigerian labor regulations
• Valid passport
• Required medical examinations
• Valid international health insurance or local coverage where applicable
• Clean immigration and compliance history

⚠️ Compliance notes:

• Employers must assign two Nigerian "understudies" per expatriate hire, per Nigerian labor law; immigration authorities audit training evidence at renewal. Consult immigration counsel given the documentation involved.
• A CERPAC ties the employee to the sponsoring legal entity. If an inspection finds the employee working at a client site under an EOR's CERPAC without a registered secondment agreement, both parties can face fines. Legal guidance is recommended.
• Employers should keep a close watch on potential reinstatement of the Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL), which was briefly introduced in 2024 and could impose substantial annual fees ($10,000–$15,000/yr) per foreign worker. Enforcement remains suspended for now, but this is an active topic worth monitoring.

Sources: 

• https://immigration.gov.ng/ 
• https://interior.gov.ng/

Self-Employment and Investor Routes

Nigeria offers separate immigration pathways for investors, business owners, and company founders. Eligibility requirements typically involve company registration, evidence of investment activity, and compliance with applicable business regulations.

Applicants should consult the Nigerian Immigration Service and Ministry of Interior for current requirements applicable to investor and business-related residence categories.

Source: 

• https://immigration.gov.ng/

Exemptions From Work Permit Requirements

Some individuals may be permitted to live or work in Nigeria without obtaining a traditional work permit, including:

• Nigerian citizens
• Individuals with recognized permanent residence status
• Certain diplomatic personnel
• Officials covered by international treaties or diplomatic privileges
• Certain ECOWAS nationals may benefit from regional mobility arrangements, subject to compliance with applicable registration requirements

⚠️ Exemptions are subject to specific conditions and documentation requirements. Employers should verify eligibility directly with Nigerian immigration authorities.

Source:

 https://immigration.gov.ng/

The standard pathway follows the process outlined above: securing an approved expatriate quota, applying for the STR visa abroad, and completing local registration for the CERPAC. This remains the most common and reliable framework for long-term foreign employment in Nigeria.

Sources: 

• https://immigration.gov.ng/ 
• https://interior.gov.ng/

Yes, for long-term employment. Sponsoring employers must be registered in Nigeria, hold an approved expatriate quota, and provide a signed employment contract and supporting corporate documents.

Exceptions: Short-term visitors conducting qualifying non-hands-on business activities may use the Business Visa pathway instead. Foreign nationals performing short-term hands-on or technical work may qualify for a TWP instead — this still requires a Nigerian host company to submit the application, but skips the expatriate quota system. Certain exempt categories may qualify under separate frameworks.

Sources: 

• https://immigration.gov.ng/ 
• https://interior.gov.ng/

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Requirements for STR + CERPAC

Beyond the eligibility criteria outlined above, employers should be prepared to provide company incorporation and registration certificates, sponsorship and support letters, and any other documentation requested by immigration authorities during the application process.

Sources: 

• https://immigration.gov.ng/ 
• https://interior.gov.ng/

‍

Expatriate Quota Requirements

Nigeria's expatriate quota system is one of the most important aspects of employing foreign nationals.

Key considerations include:

• Employers generally cannot hire foreign workers without approved quota positions.
• Immigration authorities assess whether the position falls within the employer's approved quota allocation.
• Renewals and additional hires may require updated quota approvals.
• Companies should plan ahead because quota approvals can impact overall immigration timelines.
• Employers should be prepared to justify the business need for foreign expertise, particularly for specialized or senior-level roles.

Family Members

Spouses and dependent children may qualify for family-based residence permissions through separate procedures. Dependent authorization does not automatically provide work rights. Family applications are generally processed after or alongside the principal employee's authorization.

Tax and Compliance Considerations

Employers operating in Nigeria are generally responsible for payroll tax withholding and employment compliance obligations. Potential obligations may include:

• Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax withholding
• Pension contributions
• Employee compensation obligations
• Other statutory payroll requirements

Sources: 

• https://www.pencom.gov.ng/ 
• https://immigration.gov.ng/

Long-Term Residence and Permanent Residency

Permanent residence pathways may be available in limited circumstances subject to applicable immigration rules.

Source: 

• https://immigration.gov.ng/

Business Visa Typical Timeline (Illustrative):

• Document collection: 1–3 weeks
• Application preparation and submission: 1–2 weeks
• Visa processing: Up to 3 months
• Entry into Nigeria: Upon approval
• Extension processing (if required): May be extended up to 180 days

Temporary Work Permit (TWP) Typical Timeline (Illustrative):

• Document collection and cable application preparation: 1–2 weeks
• Submission to and review by the Comptroller-General of Immigration: Varies by case; generally faster than STR + CERPAC given the TWP's short-term, technical nature
• Cable approval issuance: Upon completion of review
• Entry and commencement of technical work: Upon approval
• Permit duration: Typically 60 to 90 days, with limited option for renewal or extension

STR + CERPAC Typical Timeline (Illustrative):

• Expatriate quota preparation and approval: 1–4 months
• STR application preparation and submission: 2–4 weeks
• STR visa approval: Several weeks to months depending on circumstances
• Arrival and local registration: Within prescribed timelines after entry
• CERPAC issuance: Several weeks following registration and biometrics

Common Sources of Delays Include:

• Delays obtaining expatriate quota approvals
• Missing or inconsistent supporting documents
• Incomplete corporate records
• Medical or compliance documentation issues
• Administrative backlogs
• Delays in dependent applications

Sources: 

• https://immigration.gov.ng/ 
• https://interior.gov.ng/

Navigating Nigeria's immigration system can be challenging, especially given the country's expatriate quota requirements and multi-stage STR + CERPAC process.

RemoVisa can help. We support employers and foreign hires by:

• Managing employer-sponsored visa applications: We guide your legal entity registration (if needed), draft compliant job documentation and vacancy justification, and submit work permit requests through the official portal.
• Ensuring compliant work permit + residence permit processing: We coordinate all required documents (passport, translations, contracts, proof of housing, legal attestations) and monitor approvals.
• Leveraging global coverage (110+ countries): Nigeria is just one of many countries where we can help you hire and scale as part of our global EOR network.
• Providing managed support from immigration experts: Our team knows the nuances, common pitfalls, and how to anticipate delays or required follow-ups.
• Bundling visa support with payroll, benefits, onboarding: Foreign hires become fully integrated employees without burdening your internal HR — from employment contract to residency compliance to payroll and benefits delivery.

Plus: If your new hire has dependents (spouse or minor children), we can help with dependent permits, housing support, and compliance with resident-application requirements.

Find out what specific permits or visas in Nigeria we support under our Employer of Record and RemoVisa services.

• RemoFirst Nigeria Country Guide
• Nigerian Immigration Service
• Federal Ministry of Interior
• Nigerian eCitiBiz Portal
• Federal Inland Revenue Service
• National Pension Commission