Nigeria Immigration Reform: Transition to a Fully Digital System

Nigeria's Digital Immigration Transformation

Nigeria's immigration service has been undergoing a significant digital transformation, moving key immigration processes online to improve efficiency, reduce corruption, and speed up processing times for businesses and individuals seeking visas and work permits. For businesses deploying expatriate workers to Nigeria — particularly in the oil and gas, telecommunications, and engineering sectors — understanding these changes is essential for maintaining operational continuity.

The Nigeria Immigration Service Portal

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched and expanded its online portal, through which businesses and individuals can now apply for a range of immigration products including:

• Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC)
• Temporary Work Permit (TWP)
• Subject to Regularisation (STR) visas
• Business visas and entry visas
• Quota position approvals

The shift to digital processing has reduced the need for in-person visits to NIS offices and has made it easier to track application status in real time.

Expatriate Quota: What Employers Must Know

Nigeria operates an Expatriate Quota system, requiring businesses to obtain approval from the Ministry of Interior before employing foreign nationals in specific roles. The quota specifies the approved roles and the number of expatriate positions a company is permitted to fill. Businesses must renew their quota periodically and can face significant penalties — including deportation of workers — for operating outside approved quota positions.

The digitisation of the quota application process has in many respects streamlined approvals, but it has also increased the scrutiny of applications and the consistency with which rules are enforced.

Key Compliance Requirements for Expatriate Workers in Nigeria

1. Valid quota position: Every expatriate must be employed in a role covered by an approved quota position.
2. Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa: Expatriates must enter Nigeria on an STR visa, which must then be converted to a CERPAC within 90 days of arrival.
3. CERPAC: This combined residence permit and ID card must be renewed annually. The CERPAC is the primary work and residence authorisation for expatriates.
4. Business visa for short visits: For short-term project visits (less than 90 days), a Business visa may be appropriate, but it does not authorise employment and must not be used as a substitute for proper work authorisation.

Offshore Workers: Additional Considerations

For offshore oil and gas operations, Nigeria has specific requirements including embarkation and disembarkation manifests, offshore work permits, and coordination with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). These requirements add complexity to workforce deployment and require careful planning to avoid costly delays.

How Uniglo Financial Supports Clients in Nigeria

Uniglo Financial has operated in Nigeria since our founding, supporting businesses across oil and gas, telecommunications, and engineering in managing expatriate immigration, quota applications, CERPAC processing, and offshore permit requirements. Our Luanda and London offices coordinate seamlessly to ensure your Nigerian operations remain fully compliant.