STEPS, REQUIREMENTS AND COST OF PROCESSING EXPATRIATE

QUOTA, STR VISA AND CERPAC (RESIDENCE PERMIT) IN NIGERIA.

A foreigner who desires to invest in the Nigerian economy or a Nigerian that

wishes to engage the services of a foreign expert must make certain that a business
entity is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a Limited liability
Company (LTD)

Aligned with the conditions of the above assertion, it will be pertinent to take a
critical look at the step by step guide, requirements and cost of processing an
Expatriate quota application, Subject to Regularization (STR) Visa and Combine
Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien card (CERPAC) after the completion of an
incorporation process.

The essence of fusing all three processes in an article is consequent from the fact
that none of the process can stand alone. Any company that commences the
process of an Expatriate quota application must finalise it with a residence permit
in that order.

STEP 1 (EXPATRIATE QUOTA)

The First step a wholly Foreign company, a joint venture Company (between a
Nigerian and a Foreign) or a Nigerian company wishing to have a Foreigner in its
employment will take in order to secure an officially permitted residence permit
for its foreign employees are as follows:

1. An application for an expatriate quota and Business permit (For a joint

venture Company) addressed to the Permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of
Interior, Old Secretariat, Garki, Abuja, FCT.
2. Certificate of Incorporation issued by CAC upon the completion of the
registration process.
3. Form CAC 2A and 7A or 1.1 (For samples of the Forms visit:
(https://ibechidoassociates.com/download-legal-documents/)
4. Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company evidencing its
nature of Business.
5. Feasibility report assessing the practicability and viability of the projects of
the applicant company.
 6. Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) issued by FIRS. The original must be
presented for sighting.
7. Bank reference letter showing financial capacity of applicant.
8. Lease agreement confirming the applicant’s right to the use of a property for
its business.
9. Joint Venture agreement( In case of a foreign partnership)
10.Evidence of capital and Machinery importation
11.Proposed salary, job description and academic qualification of the
Expatriate(s)

BREAKDOWN OF EXPATRIATE QUOTA AND BUSINESS PERMIT

FEES

S/NO FEES N
1 Online registration/Automation 51,000
2 Processing fee 30,000
3 Business permit 100,000
4 Single quota position 30,000

(See reference for link regarding breakdown of expatriate quota and Business
permit fees)

After the grant of an expatriate quota by the Minister of Interior, the next step to
take before a Nigerian green card is issued is to apply for a Subject to
Regularization (STR) VISA from the Nigerian Embassy in the country of
origin of the expatriate where he or she has been residing for the last 6 months
and the requirements and cost are:

STEP 2: Requirements for the processing of a Subject to Regularization

STR VISA

1. Valid Passport with a 6months Validity

2. Letter of employment from the employer of the expatriate.
3. Credentials of the expatriate
4. Proof of online payment of Visa.

Total processing Fee: N70, 000.

STEP 3: CERPAC (Residence permit application)

After the grant of an STR Visa, the expatriate can come into Nigeria and
Regularize the Visa with the following documents and fees

1. Purchase of CR (Concessionary) Forms

2. Four(4) Nos “2×2 passport photograph on white background.
3. Application on the letter headed paper of the employer indicating acceptance
of Immigration Responsibilities I.R endorsed by the Nigerian High
Commissioner.
4. National passport of the applicant with STR Visa endorsement and
photocopies of relevant data pages.
5. Letter of appointment and acceptance of the offer by the employee.
6. Expatriate quota approval of the company issued by the Minister of Interior.
7. Photocopies of applicants credential
8. Duly completed forms IMMA 2.1 and E.20
9. Particulars of incorporation documents as contained in the requirements for
expatriate quota application.
10.Qualifying certificate and Resume of expatriate
11.Company Profile of the applicant.

FEES

Cerpac fee- 2,000 Dollars per expatriate. (The new rate was introduced by the
Minister of Interior since 2018)

DURATION

After submission of the application, a temporary card valid for one year will be
issued pending when the permanent card is ready (usually for a period of 2-3
months)

The application is submitted at the office of the Comptroller-General of

Immigration (immigration HQ, airport road Sauka, Abuja)
The presence of the expatriate is required.

The expatriate can travel in and out of Nigeria with the Temporary card pending
when the original would be ready for pick up.

REFERENCES:

 Ministry of Interior: https://ecitibiz.interior.gov.ng/expatriate/feesdetails

 Ibe, Chido and Associates: https://ibechidoassociates.com/steps-requirements-and-
cost-of-processing-expatriate-quota-str-visa-and-cerpac-residence-permit-in-nigeria/

Okpi, Ibe Chinedu is the Principal partner in the Law Firm of Ibe, Chido
and Associates ( www.ibechidoassociates.com ) with an extensive
knowledge in Corporate and Commercial Law Practice. He can be
contacted via phone: 07069279374 or email: info@ibechidoassociates.com.