Subject to Regularisation (STR) Employment Visa

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

Application pathway

1. 01

   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. 02

   Build the evidence pack

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

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

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

4. 04

   After approval

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

Also explored by

Compare Federal Republic of Nigeria with

• 🇲🇺 Republic of Mauritius
• 🇬🇭 Republic of Ghana
• 🇹🇿 United Republic of Tanzania

Related routes

• CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card)

  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.

• 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.