Visa & Residency

The CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) is Nigeria's primary residence and work permit for foreign nationals. Yes, all expatriates working in Nigeria need one - it's a biometric card valid for 1–2 years. The 2026 fee is $2,000 for employed expatriates, $600 for students, and free for spouses of Nigerian citizens. Since May 2025, applications run through the Expatriate Administration System (EAS) - a single online portal for Quota, Business Permit, and CERPAC processing.

There is no dedicated digital nomad visa for Nigeria. Technically, working on a tourist or business visa is not permitted. However, enforcement for remote workers on the new e-Visa (which replaced Visa-on-Arrival in May 2025) is minimal. For legal compliance, a business visa is the minimum; long-term remote workers should obtain an STR visa and CERPAC. Many remote workers cycle through e-Visa entries with renewals.

The full process typically takes 6–12 weeks from start to finish. Your employer first obtains Expatriate Quota approval (2–4 weeks), then you apply for an STR visa at a Nigerian embassy (1–2 weeks), enter Nigeria, and then process the CERPAC (4–8 weeks after arrival). The e-CERPAC system is speeding things up, but bureaucratic delays remain common.

No, advance rent is not a visa requirement. However, you do need proof of accommodation for most visa applications - a hotel booking or invitation letter from your host or employer suffices. The advance rent issue is a separate landlord practice where 1–2 years of rent is collected upfront, which you'll encounter when apartment-hunting after arrival.

Yes, citizens of the 15 ECOWAS member states (Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, etc.) enjoy visa-free entry and the right to reside and work in Nigeria under the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol. They still need to register with immigration and obtain a residence card, but the process is simpler and cheaper than for non-ECOWAS nationals.