Federal Republic of Nigeria · work sponsored
CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
The core residence-and-work permit for expatriates living in Nigeria for a year or more, issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service and renewable while the underlying employment and expatriate quota remain valid.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - processing times vary by case; confirm current timelines on the official Nigeria Immigration Service e-CERPAC portal.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - government fees apply and vary by category; confirm current amounts on the official e-CERPAC portal.
- Typical duration
- Issued for a fixed period (commonly up to two years) and renewable; an indefinite-validity CERPAC card has also been introduced - confirm current validity on the official portal.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) for Federal Republic of Nigeria is a sponsor-led Nigeria immigration route. Sources: official Federal Republic of Nigeria government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/nigeria/cerpac-residence-permit#answer
What is the CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) in Federal Republic of Nigeria?
CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) is a sponsor-led Nigeria route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government fees apply and vary by category; confirm current amounts on the official e-CERPAC portal; indicative processing time is Indicative only - processing times vary by case; confirm current timelines on the official Nigeria Immigration Service e-CERPAC portal; typical duration is Issued for a fixed period (commonly up to two years) and renewable; an indefinite-validity CERPAC card has also been introduced - confirm current validity on the official portal. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Nigeria Immigration Service on 1 June 2026.
Overview
CERPAC is the combined residence permit and aliens card that proves a foreign national is lawfully resident in Nigeria, and it is the document that allows an expatriate to work for the company that holds the relevant expatriate quota slot. It is normally obtained after a company secures an expatriate quota, the worker enters on a Subject to Regularisation (STR) employment visa, and the stay is then regularised into a CERPAC. The permit is tied to the sponsoring employer and is renewable rather than permanent, so it does not by itself lead to settlement. Applications moved onto a fully digital process, and the Nigeria Immigration Service operates a formal adviser scheme, the Nigeria Certified Immigration Agent (NCIA), if you choose to use a registered agent.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓A confirmed position with a Nigerian-registered company that holds an approved expatriate quota slot for the role.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ✓Entry into Nigeria on a Subject to Regularisation (STR) employment visa, or another route the Nigeria Immigration Service permits for regularisation.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ✓A valid passport and the biometric capture (fingerprints and photograph) required for the aliens card.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ✓Intention to reside in Nigeria for a period of not less than one year.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
Common blockers
- !No employer holding a valid expatriate quota slot against which the CERPAC can be issued.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- !Entry on a visit or business visa that does not permit employment or regularisation into a CERPAC.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- !Submitting a superseded physical paper form instead of through the mandatory digital channel.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport valid for the required period with the relevant entry visa.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ·Employer letter of employment and confirmation of the expatriate quota slot.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ·The company business permit and expatriate quota approval from the Ministry of Interior.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
- ·Biometric data captured at a designated Nigeria Immigration Service office.Nigeria Immigration Service ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the sponsoring company holds an expatriate quota slot and that the role qualifies for a CERPAC rather than a short business visa.
Build the evidence pack
Assemble the employment letter, quota approval, passport, entry visa and supporting company documents before filing.
Submit through the official channel
File the application through the digital e-CERPAC portal and attend a designated Nigeria Immigration Service office for biometric capture.
After approval
Collect the CERPAC card, keep it valid for the duration of your stay, and renew before expiry while the employment and quota slot continue.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card).
Nigeria Immigration Service · verified
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Related routes
Subject to Regularisation (STR) Employment Visa
The entry visa a foreign worker uses to come to Nigeria for employment and then regularise their stay into a CERPAC residence-and-work permit.
Expatriate Quota (company-level authorisation)
A Ministry of Interior authorisation that grants a Nigerian company a fixed number of slots to employ expatriates in named positions, underpinning each worker's STR visa and CERPAC.
Permanent Residence (Nigeria)
Nigeria's permanent-residence visa group for highly skilled immigrants, investors, retirees and spouses of citizens or permanent residents, granting long-term residence beyond the renewable CERPAC.
Frequently asked questions
Is CERPAC a permanent residence permit?+
No. CERPAC is a renewable residence-and-work permit tied to your employer and expatriate quota slot; it is not permanent residence. Nigeria has a separate Permanent Residence permit category with its own requirements. Confirm the current rules on the official Nigeria Immigration Service e-CERPAC portal.
Can I still file a paper CERPAC form?+
The process moved to a fully digital one, and physical forms submitted after the cut-over date are treated as void. Always file through the official digital e-CERPAC portal and confirm the current filing channel there before you start.
Can I work in Nigeria on a visit or business visa while I look for a job?+
No. Entry on a visit or business visa does not permit employment or regularisation into a CERPAC, which is the document that authorises an expatriate to work. To work lawfully you need the expatriate quota, STR visa and CERPAC chain. Confirm the rules on the official e-CERPAC portal.
How does the Nigeria work-permit process flow once I have a job offer?+
The employer first secures an expatriate quota slot, you enter Nigeria on a Subject to Regularisation (STR) employment visa, and your stay is then regularised into a CERPAC residence-and-work permit, which you renew before expiry while the employment and quota slot remain valid. Confirm the current sequence on the official e-CERPAC portal.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in NigeriaHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Nigeria Immigration Service
Last checked: 1 June 2026