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Start & structureBusinessNigeria

Hire a foreign worker (Expatriate Quota & CERPAC)

Employ an expatriate legally: obtain an Expatriate Quota (Ministry of Interior) → STR visa → enter Nigeria → CERPAC residence/work permit (Nigeria Immigration Service).

Procedure
3steps
Coordination
3agencies
Category
Start & structureBusiness
Task links

Go to the exact next page

Application, requirements, forms, fees, and tracking are labelled separately.

RequirementsRead the Federal Ministry of Interior service pageFederal Ministry of Interior · immigration.gov.ng
Routing map

Who you will deal with

Federal Ministry of InteriorNigeria Immigration Service (embassy/consulate)Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
Procedure

The steps, in order

Each route below is scoped to the step it can actually complete.

  1. 01

    Obtain an Expatriate Quota

    Agency
    Federal Ministry of Interior
    What is required
    The incorporated company applies for an Expatriate Quota authorising a number of foreign-national positions; must justify the need and often commit to knowledge transfer.
    Documents
    Certificate of Incorporation; TIN; sector licence; justification
    Typical timeline
    Quota approval
    Use for this step
  2. 02

    Issue offer and obtain STR visa

    Agency
    Nigeria Immigration Service (embassy/consulate)
    What is required
    With a quota position available, the employer issues a job offer; the expatriate applies for a Subject-to-Regularisation (STR) visa at a Nigerian embassy/consulate and enters Nigeria on it.
    Documents
    Job offer; quota approval; valid passport; qualifications
    Typical timeline
    Weeks
    Use for this step
  3. 03

    Apply for CERPAC and regularise

    Agency
    Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
    What is required
    Within the required timeframe after arrival, the employer applies for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit & Aliens Card (CERPAC). CERPAC fee USD 2,000 for employed foreigners. Total STR+CERPAC typically 1-3 months.
    Documents
    STR visa; employment letter; passport; quota approval
    Typical timeline
    ~1-3 months total
    Use for this step
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