Federal Republic of Nigeria · work sponsored

Subject to Regularisation (STR) Employment Visa

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 10 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

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.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencySingle-journey entry visa used to enter and then regularise into a CERPAC; confirm validity on the official page.
Processing time
Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Nigeria Immigration Service page and with the relevant Nigerian mission.
Government fees
Indicative only - government and mission fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official Nigeria Immigration Service page.
Typical duration
Single-journey entry visa used to enter and then regularise into a CERPAC; confirm validity on the official page.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Subject to Regularisation (STR) Employment Visa 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/str-employment-visa#answer

What is the Subject to Regularisation (STR) Employment Visa in Federal Republic of Nigeria?

Subject to Regularisation (STR) Employment Visa is a sponsor-led Nigeria route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government and mission fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official Nigeria Immigration Service page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Nigeria Immigration Service page and with the relevant Nigerian mission; typical duration is Single-journey entry visa used to enter and then regularise into a CERPAC; confirm validity on the official page. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Nigeria Immigration Service on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa, also described under the Employment Visa (R2A) category, is the entry route for a foreign national who has a job offer from a Nigerian company that holds an approved expatriate quota. It is applied for at a Nigerian embassy or high commission abroad, and on arrival the holder regularises their stay by obtaining a CERPAC. The STR visa is therefore the front door of the employment chain rather than a standalone long-term status, and it is employer-tied. It does not lead to settlement on its own.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the employer holds an expatriate quota slot and that the STR (R2A) route is the correct entry visa for your role.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather the employment offer, quota approval and company documents needed for the embassy application.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Apply for the STR visa through the relevant Nigerian embassy or high commission before travelling.

  4. After approval

    Enter Nigeria on the STR visa and regularise your stay by applying for a CERPAC through the official channel.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Subject to Regularisation (STR) Employment Visa, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Nigeria. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

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.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official Subject to Regularisation (STR) Employment Visa route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Subject to Regularisation (STR) Employment Visa.

    Nigeria Immigration Service · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Does the STR visa let me work as soon as I arrive?+

The STR visa is the entry route, but your lawful residence and work authorisation in Nigeria are completed by regularising into a CERPAC after arrival. Confirm the exact sequence and timing on the official Nigeria Immigration Service Employment Visa (R2A) page.

Can I switch employers on an STR visa?+

The route is tied to the company that holds the expatriate quota slot you were recruited against, so changing employers generally means a new quota slot and application. Confirm the current rules on the official Nigeria Immigration Service page.

Can I move to Nigeria for work if I don't have a job offer yet?+

No. The STR employment visa requires a confirmed offer of employment from a Nigerian-registered company, and that company must hold an approved expatriate quota slot for your position. Without both, this work route cannot start. Confirm requirements on the official Nigeria Immigration Service Employment Visa (R2A) page.

Do I apply for the Nigeria work visa from home before I travel, or after I arrive?+

You apply for the STR employment visa from abroad, through a Nigerian embassy or high commission, before travelling; after arrival you regularise your stay into a CERPAC. Confirm the current process with the relevant Nigerian mission and on the official Nigeria Immigration Service page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

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How 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

See the full evidence trail and methodology