Nigeria residence 2026 — work, business & family permits

Nigeria is West Africa’s economic engine, with an English-speaking workforce, major ports and a diversified private sector in energy, fintech, agriculture and creative industries. Residence routes are structured around employment (CERPAC), business investment and family reunification, with study and humanitarian tracks available. Plan ahead: once your residence is stable, explore how it converts into nationality — Nigeria citizenship 2026 — naturalisation, marriage & birth.

Key terms

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS): federal authority responsible for visas, residence permits and border control.

CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card): the standard residence card for expatriates working or investing in Nigeria.

STR visa (Subject to Regularisation): long-stay entry visa for those who will apply for residence (employment, business or family) after arrival.

Expatriate quota: company-level authorisation to employ a fixed number of foreign personnel in specified roles.

Business permit: approval for a foreign-owned company to operate in Nigeria, often paired with expatriate quota for directors/specialists.

Permanent residence: indefinite lawful stay granted after extended residence and contribution to national development.

Residence types

• Work residence (CERPAC): For employees under local contracts. Requires employer’s expatriate quota, signed offer, role justification and proof of qualifications. The card is employer-specific; job changes require fresh approval and quota updates. Payroll tax and pension registration support renewals.
• Business / investor residence: For company owners or directors. Requires Corporate Affairs Commission registration, business permit, capital importation evidence and tax compliance. On renewal, officers look for real activity: audited accounts, invoices, staff lists and tax returns.
• Self-employed / consultant: For independent professionals with Nigerian contracts. Requires business registration, TIN, invoices and proof of sustained income; work with regulated industries may need sectoral licenses.
• Family residence (dependants): For spouses, minors and dependent parents of residents or citizens. Evidence: marriage/birth certificates, sponsor’s CERPAC, income and accommodation proof; cohabitation is checked at renewals.
• Study residence: For students admitted to recognised institutions. Requires admission letter, tuition confirmation, accommodation and health cover. Limited work rights may be available with NIS authorisation.
• Missionary / NGO: For religious, humanitarian and community development staff, with letters from registered organisations and project outlines.
• Retiree / financially independent: For applicants with stable pensions/savings and private health insurance. Employment is not allowed under this ground.
• Humanitarian / medical: Time-bound stay for treatment or protection needs, assessed individually with hospital or agency confirmations.
• Permanent residence: Granted after a lengthy period of lawful stay (commonly 15+ years), strong compliance and positive contribution.

Routes & timelines

Step-by-step

1. Choose your route: employment (CERPAC), business/investor, family, study or other long-stay category.
2. Secure STR visa: apply at a Nigerian embassy/consulate based on your planned route and sponsor.
3. Enter & register: on arrival, register with NIS within the prescribed window; prepare for biometrics.
4. File for residence: submit application with employer or company documents (quota, business permit), civil records and address proof.
5. Biometrics & verification: attend capture; officers may request clarifications, site visits (for businesses) or updated employment letters.
6. Collect CERPAC card: after approval, collect the card, ensure tax/PAYE and pension registrations are aligned with your status.

Documents checklist

Core set: passport (valid 12+ months), STR visa, application forms, photos, medical certificate, international police clearance, Nigerian address proof and health insurance.

Work (CERPAC): employment contract, employer’s expatriate quota, role justification, qualifications and employer tax IDs.

Business / investor: Corporate Affairs Commission registration, business permit, capital importation certificate, audited or management accounts, TIN and tax compliance letters.

Family: marriage/birth certificates, sponsor’s CERPAC copy, evidence of cohabitation and sufficient means.

Study: admission/tuition proof, accommodation, financial means and institutional endorsement.

Need certified translations or apostille wording? Use our legal & business translation support to match Nigerian filing standards.

Costs & timelines

Expect government fees for STR, residence card issuance and (where applicable) expatriate quota/business permit. Additional costs include translations, medicals and compliance registrations. For cross-country comparisons and templates, see our Residency & Citizenship section.

Renewals & permanent residence

Start renewal 30–60 days before expiry. Submit updated employer letters, quota status, tax/PAYE receipts, pension evidence and valid medical cover. Investors attach accounts and tax filings; family cases show cohabitation and sponsor validity. Continuous, documented residence builds a strong record for permanent residence assessment.

Integration

Integration is practical: stable employment or business, tax and pension compliance, verified address, school enrollment for children, and participation in professional or community networks. Keep evidence of local banking, utilities and leases; these routine records become decisive during renewals and long-term status reviews.

What changed in 2026

The NIS e-portal expanded to track STR-to-CERPAC transitions, biometric appointments and renewal reminders. Business permit and expatriate quota workflows now cross-check TIN and corporate filings, reducing paper-based verifications.

Did you know?

Replacing your passport mid-term requires CERPAC re-issuance; synchronising identity data prevents airport delays and banking issues.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a visitor or business visa can be converted to residence without STR.
• Letting health insurance or police clearance expire mid-application.
• Changing employer without updating the expatriate quota and CERPAC details.
• Running a “paper company” — renewals request contracts, invoices and tax receipts.
• Missing address updates after relocation.

FAQ

Expert opinion

Nigeria rewards applicants who keep every document aligned — contracts, quotas, tax IDs, leases and insurance. Treat each renewal like an audit: if your story is consistent, upgrades and long-term approvals become procedural.

— Maya, African Immigration Specialist, VelesClub Int.

Next steps

Ready to secure your Nigerian residence? Receive a free consultation, route comparison and a personalised renewal calendar. Start on our main platform and explore practical templates in the Residency & Citizenship section — then continue to the companion citizenship article to align both stages of your journey.