If your company is planning to expand operations to Nigeria, you probably want to get started as soon as possible. However, you'll need to make sure all of your employees have the...
Read MoreIf your company is planning to expand operations to Nigeria, you probably want to get started as soon as possible. However, you'll need to make sure all of your employees have the visas and permits they need to live and work in Nigeria legally.
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If your company is planning to expand operations to Nigeria, you probably want to get started as soon as possible. However, you’ll need to make sure all of your employees have the visas and permits they need to live and work in Nigeria legally.
There are four primary types of visas offered in Nigeria:
There are a few other visas, including those for transit and diplomatic visits. All of these visas are issued to allow entry into Nigeria, and they’re all valid for three months.
Foreign citizens who plan to take up employment in Nigeria will need to obtain an STR visa. However, this visa alone does not give the holder the legal right to work in Nigeria. To do so, they will also need to obtain a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card, or CERPAC, which is a combined permit for residency and work in Nigeria.
To live and work in Nigeria, employees will need to start by obtaining an STR visa. The following documents are required:
To obtain a CERPAC card, applicants will need to provide the following documents:
It may be helpful to divide the application process into two parts: the steps to be taken in the employee’s country of residence, and the steps that should be taken upon the employee’s arrival in Nigeria.
Before leaving their home country, employees need to:
Applications are typically processed within seven days. After obtaining an STR visa, the employee may travel to Nigeria and complete the remaining steps:
Upon receiving a CERPAC card, the employee is legally able to live and work in Nigeria. The CERPAC is issued for an initial period of two years, after which it is eligible for renewal.
Should a foreign employee need to remain in Nigeria for more than two years, your company needs to be aware of the process for renewing their CERPAC. Applicants for CERPAC renewal will need to provide:
These requirements also apply to the replacement process in the event that the card is lost.
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At this moment, Globalization Partners does not offer support processing work visas or permits in this particular location.
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