HOW TO OBTAIN WORK PERMIT IN NIGERIA

A foreigner who intends to work in Nigeria must obtain a work permit which is known as the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) in Nigeria. A foreigner who wishes to obtain a CERPAC must be employed by a company that is registered in Nigeria. Such a company is entitled to obtain an Expatriate Quota and Business permit from the Ministry of Interiors provided it maintains a minimum of N10 Million share capital.

The steps involved in obtaining a work permit in Nigeria are as follows:

1. Requirements for processing application for Subject To Regularisation (STR) Visa are as follows:
2. A valid Passport with at least six (6) months validity
3. Evidence of Expatriate Quota Approval for the Applicant’s Employer

• A Letter of Employment

1. The curriculum vitae/ resume of the Applicant
2. A copy of duly completed Form
3. Letter of offer of employment and letter of acceptance of employment

• Copies of the Applicant’s education qualification
• A Formal application for STR Visa from the Employer / Institution accepting Immigration Responsibility

1. Board resolution of appointment (if the Applicant is employed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company).
2. Evidence of payment of prescribed fees.
3. After obtaining the STR Visa, which is valid for 90 days, the next step is to regularize the STR Visa by applying for CERPAC inside Nigeria.
4. An application for CERPAC is made to the Comptroller General of Immigration and should be accompanied by the following documents:
5. A duly completed CERPAC application form
6. A copy of the letter of employment

• Evidence of payment of prescribed fees

1. A copy of the letter of acceptance
2. The Applicant’s Passport with STR Visa endorsement
3. Evidence of Expatriate quota approval for the Applicant’s company

• Applicant’s passport photographs (3)
• The Employer’s business permit

1. Proof of sufficient financial means
2. A formal application from the Employer / Institution accepting Immigration Responsibility and requesting for the Applicant’s regularisation.

4. Upon approval, the CERPAC is issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service.

Conclusively, the CERPAC once issued is valid for two years but it is renewable subject to the validity of the expatriate quota.

Contributed by Rlf Nominees Team

Email: info@rlfnominees.com