CERPAC Application (Nigeria)
COMBINED EXPATRIATE RESIDENCE PERMIT AND ALIENS CARD (CERPAC) APPLICATION
Immigration Act 2015 | Nigeria Immigration Service
Applicant: [Applicant Full Name] | Nationality: [Nationality] | DOB: [Date of Birth]
Passport No: [Passport Number] | Expiry: [Passport Expiry]
Nigeria Address: [Nigeria Address]
Phone: [Phone Number] | Email: [Email]
Date: [Application Date]
1. ENTRY DETAILS
1.1 Date of arrival: [Arrival Date]
1.2 Port of entry: [Port of Entry]
1.3 Current visa type: [Visa Type] | Visa No: [Visa Number] | Expiry: [Visa Expiry]
2. CERPAC CATEGORY
2.1 Application category: [CERPAC Category]
2.2 Employer: [Employer Name] (RC: [Employer RC Number])
2.3 Expatriate quota number: [Quota Number]
2.4 Designated position: [Designated Position]
2.5 NIPC registration number: [NIPC Number]
3. DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST
[ ] Valid international passport (all pages)
[ ] Current visa (STR or other) and entry stamp
[ ] Expatriate quota approval letter (employment category)
[ ] Employer's letter confirming position (employment category)
[ ] NIPC registration certificate (investment category)
[ ] Recent passport photographs (NIS specifications)
[ ] Medical certificate from NIS-listed hospital
[ ] Yellow fever vaccination certificate
[ ] Police clearance certificate (home country)
[ ] Payment of CERPAC fees via NIS portal
4. DECLARATION
I, [Applicant Full Name], declare that the information provided in this application is true and correct, and that I am applying for a CERPAC in accordance with the Immigration Act 2015 and the regulations of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Applicant
________________
Signature
Employer / Sponsor (if applicable)
________________
Signature
What Is a CERPAC Application (Nigeria)?
A CERPAC Application in Nigeria records the particulars needed to apply for the registration, permit or approval it concerns.
The legal basis for the CERPAC system is the Immigration Act 2015, which vests authority over the issuance of residence permits in the Comptroller-General of Immigration under powers delegated by the Honourable Minister of Interior. The Immigration Act 2015 (which replaced the Immigration Act Cap I1 LFN 2004) updated Nigeria's immigration framework and aligns with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment.
The CERPAC is required for all categories of legally resident foreign nationals in Nigeria, including: expatriate employees sponsored under an approved expatriate quota; foreign investors resident in Nigeria under a Business Permit or NIPC registration; spouses and dependants of Nigerian citizens; and foreign nationals on long-stay visas. The CERPAC is issued for 2 years and must be renewed before expiry to maintain legal resident status.
The Nigeria Immigration Service processes CERPAC applications through its online portal at portal.immigration.gov.ng, and biometric enrolment is conducted at NIS state command offices across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The legal framework governing the CERPAC Application (Nigeria) centres on the Immigration Act 2015, which replaced the Immigration Act Cap I1 LFN 2004, and the administrative instructions issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) under authority delegated by the Honourable Minister of Interior under Section 8 of the Immigration Act 2015. The Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) govern employer companies. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Act Cap N117 LFN 2004 applies to investment-based CERPAC applicants. The Labour Act Cap L1 LFN 2004 and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes involving expatriate employees. The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (NDPA), administered by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), governs biometric and personal data processed during CERPAC applications. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) requires employer tax compliance. The Federal High Court has jurisdiction over immigration matters under Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. The Supreme Court of Nigeria is the apex court. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Nigeria-compliant CERPAC application documentation.
When Do You Need a CERPAC Application (Nigeria)?
A CERPAC Application in Nigeria is required in the following situations.
When a foreign national enters Nigeria on a Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa — the standard long-stay employment visa — and must convert to a full CERPAC within 90 days of arrival under Section 9 of the Immigration Act 2015.
When a foreign employee is newly posted to Nigeria by a multinational employer holding an approved expatriate quota from the Federal Ministry of Interior under Section 42 of the Immigration Act 2015. The employer submits the CERPAC application through the NIS portal at portal.immigration.gov.ng after the quota approval has been obtained.
When a foreign investor incorporates a Nigerian company under CAMA 2020 with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or obtains a Business Permit and intends to reside in Nigeria to manage the business. The CERPAC application requires NIPC registration evidence under the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Act Cap N117 LFN 2004 and evidence of minimum capital importation of USD 100,000.
When the spouse or dependent child of a Nigerian citizen wishes to reside in Nigeria on a family-based residence permit, supported by evidence of the family relationship and the Nigerian spouse's citizenship documents under the Immigration Act 2015.
When a foreign national's previous CERPAC has expired and the renewal application must be made before expiry to avoid overstay fines of USD 15 per day and potential deportation under Section 33 of the Immigration Act 2015. The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has jurisdiction over employment disputes arising from CERPAC-related employer obligations under the Labour Act Cap L1 LFN 2004. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) FIRS Tax Clearance Certificate is required for employer companies. The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (NDPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) govern biometric data collected during the NIS CERPAC process. The Federal High Court has jurisdiction over immigration enforcement under Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. The Supreme Court of Nigeria is the apex court.
What to Include in Your CERPAC Application (Nigeria)
A complete Nigeria CERPAC Application must contain the following elements.
Applicant's personal details: Full legal name as in the travel document, date of birth, nationality, passport number and expiry date, current Nigeria address, phone number, and email address.
Entry details: Date of arrival in Nigeria, port of entry, current visa type (STR, Diplomatic, Business, or other), visa number, and visa expiry date.
Residence category: The basis for the CERPAC application — employment (with expatriate quota details), investment/business (with NIPC or Business Permit number), or family (with Nigerian spouse's details).
Employer or sponsor details: For employment-based applications, the employer's name, RC Number, registered address, approved expatriate quota number and validity, and the specific position for which the expatriate is sponsored.
Passport photographs: Recent passport-size photographs meeting NIS specifications.
Supporting documents: Valid international passport (with STR visa page and entry stamp), expatriate quota approval letter (for employment-based), NIPC registration certificate (for investment-based), marriage certificate and Nigerian spouse's passport (for family-based), medical certificate from a CBN-listed hospital, yellow fever vaccination certificate, and police clearance certificate from the applicant's home country.
Biometric data: The applicant must appear in person at the NIS state command for fingerprint and facial photograph capture.
Fees: Payment of the applicable CERPAC fees via the NIS portal and through approved payment channels — including the NGN 1,500 biometric card issuance fee and other applicable administrative charges.
Additional compliance elements for a CERPAC Application (Nigeria) used in Nigeria include: Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Nigeria-compliant documentation.
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Forms Legal. (2026). CERPAC Application (Nigeria) (Nigeria) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/nigeria/personal/immigration/cerpac-application-nigeria
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@misc{formslegal-cerpac-application-nigeria,
author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {CERPAC Application (Nigeria) (Nigeria)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/nigeria/personal/immigration/cerpac-application-nigeria}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Contract Law (received English common law)}
}Frequently Asked Questions
The Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) is the residence permit issued to foreign nationals (non-Nigerian citizens) who are legally residing in Nigeria, whether for employment, business, or family reasons. The CERPAC was introduced by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in 2002 to replace the previously separate Residence Permit and Aliens Card, combining them into a single biometric smartcard document. Under the Immigration Act 2015, every foreign national who is resident in Nigeria for a period exceeding the validity of their visa (typically beyond 90 days for a Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa or a temporary residence entry) must hold a valid CERPAC. The CERPAC is issued by the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service under powers delegated by the Minister of Interior under Section 8 of the Immigration Act 2015. Categories of foreign nationals who require CERPAC include: expatriate employees on employer-sponsored expatriate quotas approved by the Federal Ministry of Interior; self-employed foreigners; spouses and dependent children of Nigerian citizens; and foreign investors resident in Nigeria. A foreign national found residing in Nigeria without a valid CERPAC is liable to detention and deportation under Section 33 of the Immigration Act 2015.
An expatriate who enters Nigeria on a Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa must convert the STR visa to a CERPAC (Residence Permit) within 90 days of arrival, through the employer (for employment-based STR visas) or directly through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal at portal.immigration.gov.ng. The process involves: (1) the employer (if applicable) applying for an expatriate quota approval from the Federal Ministry of Interior — the quota specifies the number of foreign employees a company is permitted to employ in specified job designations; (2) once the quota is approved, the employer submits a CERPAC application on the NIS portal on behalf of the expatriate, attaching the required documents; (3) biometric enrolment at the NIS state command office in the state where the applicant is resident; (4) payment of the CERPAC fee (the biometric card issuance fee of NGN 1,500 under the NIS schedule, plus other administrative fees that vary by category and processing route); (5) collection of the CERPAC smartcard from the NIS office. The CERPAC is typically issued for 2 years and is renewable. Failure to regularise an STR visa within 90 days is an immigration offence under the Immigration Act 2015, and the employer may also face penalties for harbouring an illegal resident.
Yes. A foreign national who owns or invests in a business in Nigeria may obtain a CERPAC without a Nigerian employer sponsoring an expatriate quota. The relevant category is the Business Permit residence, available to foreign investors who have obtained a Business Permit from the Federal Ministry of Interior under Section 26 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 (for foreign companies operating as branches in Nigeria) or who have incorporated a Nigerian company under CAMA 2020 and are registered with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) under the NIPC Act. To apply for a CERPAC as a foreign business owner, the applicant must provide: proof of NIPC registration or Federal Ministry of Interior Business Permit; evidence of the minimum investment capital (which for foreign investors in most sectors is USD 100,000, as specified in the NIPC Act and NIPC regulations); evidence of the company's registration with the FIRS and CAC; and a valid STR visa or other appropriate entry visa. The Nigeria Immigration Service processes Business Permit-based CERPAC applications through the NIS Headquarters at Abuja or through designated NIS state commands. The CERPAC issued on this basis is typically valid for 2 years and renewable.
Working or residing in Nigeria without a valid Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) attracts serious legal consequences under the Immigration Act 2015. Under Section 33 of the Immigration Act 2015, a foreign national found working or residing in Nigeria without a valid permit is liable to arrest, detention, and deportation at their own expense. An employer who knowingly employs a foreign national without a valid CERPAC commits an offence under Section 34 of the Immigration Act 2015 and may face fines of up to NGN 250,000 per illegal worker and potential revocation of the company's expatriate quota approval from the Federal Ministry of Interior. The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) conducts workplace compliance inspections through the Comptroller-General of Immigration under powers delegated by the Honourable Minister of Interior under Section 8 of the Immigration Act 2015. For foreign nationals who have overstayed their CERPAC validity, the NIS imposes an overstay fine of USD 15 per day from the date of expiry to the date of regularisation. Continued overstay beyond 90 days from the expiry date may result in a re-entry ban. Employers operating in sectors regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC Nigeria), or the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) should note that these regulators also review immigration compliance as part of their fit-and-proper assessments of key management personnel. The Federal High Court has jurisdiction over immigration enforcement matters under Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
A CERPAC Application (Nigeria) does not legally require a lawyer in Nigeria, but engaging a licensed immigration consultant or a Legal Practitioner enrolled at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) with immigration experience is strongly recommended for complex cases. The Immigration Act 2015 and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) administrative instructions do not mandate legal representation for CERPAC applications. However, for employer-sponsored expatriate quota applications to the Federal Ministry of Interior, and for business-permit-based CERPAC applications involving the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) under the NIPC Act Cap N117 LFN 2004, professional guidance materially reduces the risk of rejection or delay. The Federal High Court has jurisdiction over immigration enforcement matters. Professional support is particularly advisable where the applicant has immigration complications or where the employer's expatriate quota is being renewed concurrently with the CERPAC application.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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