How can a foreigner obtain a Resident Permit in Nigeria?

A residential permit in Nigeria is a legal document or card that permits a non-citizen to reside in a country for a period of time.

The agency in charge of residential permits is the National Immigration Service which is under the Ministry of Interior.

The Nigeria Residential Permit Card is called Combined Expatriate Residential Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC). The validity of CERPAC is two years but is subject to renewal at expiration.

Individuals eligible to obtain Residential permits are as follows;

1. Foreign students
2. Researchers
3. Missionaries/ clerical and their dependants
4. Government Officials and their dependants
5. Expatriate employees of companies and their dependants
6. Expatriate Technical officials of Missions
7. Expatriate Staff of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and their dependants
8. Expatriate Staff of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and their dependants
9. Expatriates employed by companies operating in Free Trade Zones (FTZ) and their dependants

To apply for a Residential Permit (CERPAC) in the Nigeria, the applicant must have the following documents submitted to the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters or the office of the Comptroller of Immigrations service at the state level;

1. An application Letter for regularization of stay and acceptance of responsibilities (by the organisation receiving you)
2. National Identification card
3. Passport photograph
4. Visa Application Form
5. Evidence of purchase of CERPAC form
6. Bio-data page of applicants passport.
7. Copy of the STR visa page and arrival endorsement page

The requirements for this application is inclusive of some other documents that will be dependent on the eligibility of the applicant. Kindly see https://immigration.gov.ng/residence-permits/

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