Key Takeaways

  • Foreign nationals require a Subject to Regularisation (STR) Visa to enter Nigeria for work, followed by a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) — Nigeria’s combined residence and work permit.
  • Employers must hold an approved Expatriate Quota from the Ministry of Interior before sponsoring any foreign worker; without a quota position, a CERPAC cannot be issued.
  • Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy; the oil and gas, financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, and professional services sectors are the primary employers of expatriate workers.

Nigeria is West Africa’s dominant economy and the most populous country in Africa, with over 220 million people. Abuja is the federal capital; Lagos is the commercial and financial hub. Nigeria’s economy is the largest in Africa by GDP, driven by oil and gas, services, manufacturing, agriculture, and a rapidly growing technology sector. The country attracts significant foreign direct investment across multiple sectors. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) administers the STR Visa and CERPAC; the Ministry of Interior oversees Expatriate Quota approvals.

When Is a Work Visa Needed in Nigeria?

Any foreign national intending to engage in paid employment in Nigeria must hold a valid STR Visa and CERPAC. The employer must have an approved Expatriate Quota position for the role. The requirement applies to:

  • Employees of Nigeria-registered companies, including subsidiaries of multinationals
  • Intra-company transferees to Nigerian branches or affiliated companies
  • Technical specialists and consultants on assignments exceeding 90 days
  • Foreign directors and key executives of Nigeria-registered entities
  • Oil and gas sector workers under Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) approvals

Types of Nigeria Work Visas and Permits

STR Visa (Subject to Regularisation)

The STR Visa is the entry visa for foreign nationals coming to Nigeria for employment. It is obtained from a Nigerian diplomatic mission abroad. The STR Visa allows the holder to enter Nigeria and then apply for a CERPAC from the Nigeria Immigration Service within 90 days of arrival. The STR Visa itself does not authorise work; the CERPAC is the work authorisation document.

CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card)

The CERPAC is Nigeria’s combined residence and work permit, issued by the NIS. It is valid for two years and is renewable. A valid Expatriate Quota position held by the employer is a prerequisite for CERPAC issuance. The CERPAC biometric card serves as the official identification document for foreign nationals in Nigeria.

Expatriate Quota

The Expatriate Quota is an approval from the Ministry of Interior authorising a company to employ a specified number of foreign nationals in designated roles. Employers must apply for a Quota allocation before sponsoring any individual foreign worker. Quotas are reviewed every two years and must be renewed. Each quota position specifies the job title and level.

Temporary Work Permit (TWP)

For short-term assignments of up to three months, a Temporary Work Permit may be issued by the NIS. The TWP is used for technical installation, maintenance, and specialist project work. It does not replace the STR Visa and CERPAC pathway for longer-term employment.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Nigeria

1

Employer Obtains Expatriate Quota

The employer applies to the Ministry of Interior for an Expatriate Quota allocation. This requires submission of the company’s incorporation certificate, audited accounts, tax clearance certificate, and a business case for each foreign national role. Quota approval is the essential first step; without it, no subsequent steps can proceed.

2

Foreign National Applies for STR Visa

With an Expatriate Quota position confirmed, the employer issues an Approval-in-Principle (AIP) letter to the foreign national. The AIP is presented at a Nigerian embassy or consulate along with the passport, police clearance certificate, medical certificate, and application form to obtain the STR Visa.

3

Enter Nigeria on STR Visa

The foreign national enters Nigeria on the STR Visa. On arrival, the worker must begin the CERPAC application within 90 days. Most expatriates register with the NIS within the first month to avoid delays.

4

Apply for CERPAC

The CERPAC application is submitted online through the NIS e-portal. Required documents include: STR Visa; AIP letter; employment contract; Expatriate Quota approval; police clearance; medical certificate; and passport photographs. Biometric data is captured at an NIS office.

5

Collect the CERPAC Card

Once approved (typically 4–8 weeks from submission), the CERPAC biometric card is collected from the NIS. The card must be carried at all times. It serves as the official proof of the holder’s right to reside and work in Nigeria.

6

Register with NSITF and Renew Biennially

The employer must register the foreign worker with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) for workplace accident coverage. The CERPAC and Expatriate Quota must be renewed every two years. Renewal must be initiated at least 60 days before expiry.

Nigeria Work Permit Costs and Fees

Nigeria immigration costs are denominated in USD (official NIS fees) and NGN for some local costs:

Application Type
Government Fee
Expatriate Quota Application
USD 2,000–5,000 depending on the number of positions
STR Visa
USD 100–200 depending on nationality
CERPAC (2 years)
USD 1,000–2,000
CERPAC Renewal (2 years)
USD 1,000–2,000
Dependent CERPAC (per dependant)
USD 500–1,000

Immigration legal fees add USD 1,000–3,000. Total first-year employer costs typically range from USD 4,000 to USD 10,000 per worker, including quota costs.

Nigeria Work Visa Sponsorship

Nigeria’s CERPAC is employer-tied and quota-tied. A change of employer requires a new Expatriate Quota position at the new employer and a new CERPAC application. Employers must notify the NIS if the employment relationship ends before the CERPAC expiry.

Employers must comply with Nigerian labour law, the Factories Act, NSITF Act, and Pension Reform Act (mandatory pension contributions to a Pension Fund Administrator). All workers — including expatriates — must be enrolled in a pension scheme.

For international companies without a Nigerian entity, an EOR registered in Nigeria with an active Expatriate Quota can act as the sponsoring employer and manage the full CERPAC, payroll, NSITF, and pension compliance process.

Work in Nigeria with Confidence

Nigeria’s expatriate immigration system is one of Africa’s more complex, requiring quota management in addition to individual permit applications. Employers who invest in proper quota planning and maintain their NIS registration avoid the most common delays and compliance issues.

Remote People’s Nigeria team provides Expatriate Quota management, STR Visa and CERPAC applications, payroll in NGN, NSITF registration, pension enrollment, and full Nigerian labour law compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Expatriate Quota is the Ministry of Interior approval authorising a company to employ foreign nationals in specified roles. It takes 4–12 weeks to obtain for a new company, or 2–4 weeks to add positions to an existing quota. The quota must be in place before any individual STR Visa or CERPAC application can proceed. Quota renewal is required every two years.

Technically, the STR Visa is an entry visa, not a work authorisation. Legally, the CERPAC is required before commencing employment. In practice, many companies begin onboarding during the CERPAC processing period, but this creates a compliance risk. Employers should seek local legal advice on managing this transition period.

The Pension Reform Act requires all employers in Nigeria — including employers of expatriate workers — to enrol their employees in a mandatory contributory pension scheme. The employer contributes a minimum of 10% and the employee 8% of monthly emoluments to a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) of the employee's choice.

Yes. Spouses and dependent children may obtain a Dependent CERPAC, which allows them to reside in Nigeria for the duration of the primary CERPAC holder's permit. Dependants wishing to work must obtain their own STR Visa, Expatriate Quota position, and CERPAC.

Yes. An EOR registered in Nigeria with an active Expatriate Quota can act as the sponsoring employer, issue the AIP for the STR Visa, apply for the CERPAC, and manage payroll, NSITF, and pension compliance on behalf of an international company without a Nigerian entity.

Relocate to Nigeria

Remote People provides EOR services in Nigeria with active Expatriate Quota positions. We manage STR Visa issuance, CERPAC applications, NIS registration, payroll in NGN, NSITF, pension fund enrollment, and full Nigerian labour law compliance.

Contact Remote People to start hiring in Nigeria today.

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