Nigeria Long-Term Work and Residence Authorisation

Long-Term Work and Residence Authorisation in Nigeria is a two-stage immigration process used for foreign nationals taking up employment in Nigeria. It requires a specific type of entry visa to enter Nigeria for employment purposes, followed by an in-country application that grants the foreign national lawful residence and permission to work.

The first stage is the Subject to Regularization Visa, which is issued by a Nigerian Embassy or Consulate outside Nigeria. This visa is typically issued for up to 90 days and allows the foreign national (and accompanying dependants, where applicable) to enter Nigeria for the purpose of completing the regularisation process.

The second stage is the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card, which is applied for inside Nigeria and issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service. This authorisation is the primary long-term permission that allows the foreign national to live and work in Nigeria and is generally issued for 12 months and renewable for like periods, provided the employer’s expatriate quota remains valid.

For long-term employment in Nigeria, the Nigerian employer must hold an approved Expatriate Quota for the specific position to be occupied. This quota approval is required both for the Subject to Regularization Visa application and for the in-country long-term work and residence application.

Last Updated: 27/02/2026

Applications for Long-Term Work and Residence Authorisation in Nigeria require documentation from both the foreign national and the Nigerian employer. These documents are used to support both the Subject to Regularization Visa application and the subsequent Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card application.

Documents required from the Nigerian employer:

• Valid Expatriate Quota approval for the specific position
• Employment letter or contract issued to the foreign national
• Company incorporation documents issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission
• Tax registration documentation and corporate compliance records
• Formal letter of application supporting the foreign national’s employment and residence
• Payment receipts for applicable immigration government fees

Documents required from the foreign national:

• Valid international passport with at least six months validity
• Subject to Regularization Visa issued by a Nigerian Embassy or Consulate
• Passport-sized photographs meeting immigration specifications
• Educational qualifications and Curriculum Vitae, where applicable
• Police clearance certificate, where required
• Entry stamp into Nigeria following arrival on the Subject to Regularization Visa

Additional requirements for residence authorisation:

• Completion of the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card application forms
• Submission of the application to the Nigerian Immigration Service
• Physical presence of the applicant in Nigeria for biometric enrolment and processing

All documentation must be accurate, complete, and consistent with the expatriate quota approval and employment details. Incomplete or incorrect submissions may result in processing delays or refusal.

The processing of Long-Term Work and Residence Authorisation in Nigeria occurs in two stages: the issuance of the Subject to Regularization Visa outside Nigeria, and the issuance of the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card within Nigeria.

Subject to Regularization Visa processing time:

• Typically issued within 5 to 15 working days, depending on the Nigerian Embassy or Consulate
• Processing times may vary based on nationality, embassy workload, and completeness of documentation
• The visa is usually valid for up to 90 days, during which the in-country regularisation must be completed

Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card processing time:

• Typically issued within 2 to 3 weeks after submission to the Nigerian Immigration Service
• Processing may take longer depending on application volume, internal review, and expatriate quota verification
• The applicant must remain in Nigeria during the processing period

Total estimated processing timeframe:

• The complete process from visa application to residence permit issuance typically takes approximately 3 to 6 weeks

Processing times may vary depending on embassy processing schedules, immigration workload, employer compliance status, and completeness of documentation.

The government fees for Long-Term Work and Residence Authorisation in Nigeria include the costs of the Subject to Regularization Visa and the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card. Fees are set by the Nigerian Immigration Service and may vary depending on nationality, visa category, and administrative factors.

Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card fee:

USD 2,000 — This is the primary government fee for issuing the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card, which grants lawful residence and work authorisation.

Mandatory insurance fee:

USD 1,000 — This insurance payment is required as part of the residence authorisation process.

Administrative and processing fees:

USD 129.86 — Administrative charges associated with processing and issuing the residence permit.

Residence permit card issuance fee:

USD 20 — Fee for producing and delivering the physical residence permit card.

Subject to Regularization Visa fee:

Varies by nationality — The visa fee is determined based on reciprocity agreements and embassy-specific fee schedules.

Government fees are subject to change and may vary depending on nationality, embassy procedures, and immigration policy updates.

The process for obtaining Long-Term Work and Residence Authorisation in Nigeria is a structured two-stage procedure involving both an entry visa application outside Nigeria and a residence and work authorisation application inside Nigeria.

Step 1: Employer obtains expatriate quota approval

• The Nigerian employer must hold a valid Expatriate Quota approval for the specific position to be occupied
• The quota approval confirms that the company is authorised to employ a foreign national in the specified role
• This approval is mandatory before any visa or residence application can proceed

Step 2: Apply for the Subject to Regularization Visa

• The foreign national submits a visa application at the Nigerian Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence
• The application must include employment documentation and the employer’s expatriate quota approval
• If approved, the Subject to Regularization Visa is issued, typically valid for up to 90 days

Step 3: Travel to Nigeria and commence regularisation

• The foreign national enters Nigeria using the issued Subject to Regularization Visa
• The visa allows entry for the purpose of completing the long-term work and residence authorisation process

Step 4: Apply for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card

• The application must be submitted to the Nigerian Immigration Service after arrival in Nigeria
• The applicant must attend in person for biometric enrolment and submission of required documentation
• The Nigerian employer supports the application and confirms ongoing employment

Step 5: Receive residence permit and begin authorised employment

• Once approved, the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card is issued
• This authorisation allows the foreign national to live and work lawfully in Nigeria
• The permit is generally issued for 12 months and may be renewed if employment continues and expatriate quota remains valid

Foreign nationals must complete the residence permit application promptly after entering Nigeria. Failure to regularise status within the visa validity period may result in immigration violations.

Disclaimer

At IBN Immigration Solutions, an Envoy Global company, we follow Google’s standards for transparency. The information provided on this page is based on the latest publicly available immigration laws, regulations, and official guidance relating to Nigeria, including the Immigration Act 2015, Immigration Regulations 2017, and policies issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, legal opinion, or official instruction.

IBN Immigration Solutions is a private immigration services firm and is not affiliated with the Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Ministry of Interior, or any Nigerian embassy, consulate, or government authority. Immigration rules, requirements, and procedures may change without notice, and applicants are responsible for confirming current requirements with the relevant authorities.

Clients who engage our services do so for professional assistance in preparing and managing applications for Nigerian visas, Temporary Work Permits, STR Visas, CERPAC residence permits, and related immigration and compliance processes.