Immigration

Nigeria | Update 2025: Significant reforms to Nigeria’s expatriate and immigration processes

Summary

The Federal Ministry of Interior has announced key reforms to Nigeria’s immigration and Expatriate Quota processes, effective from 1 May 2025.

Key changes include stricter review and monitoring of Expatriate Quota approvals with a focus on understudy compliance, full automation of the CERPAC process and introduction of a digital-only visa and entry/exit card system.

The detail

Expatriate Quota (EQ) Administration

• Stricter Review Process: The review and approval of expatriate quota applications will be more stringent. Companies will now be required to provide compelling justification for requested positions, including evidence of the unavailability of qualified Nigerian talent.
• Enhanced Compliance Audits: The Ministry will intensify audits of companies holding EQ approvals, with a particular focus on compliance with the statutory understudy requirement. Companies will be expected to demonstrate clear milestones and outcomes for skill transfer to their Nigerian understudies.
• Understudy Monitoring Framework: A system will be implemented to monitor progress on understudy training and role transition, ensuring that the primary objective of expatriate quotas—knowledge transfer—is achieved.
• Fee Adjustments: The fee structure for EQ applications and Business Permits will be reviewed. Further details are expected in due course.

CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card)

• Process Automation: The issuance process for CERPAC will be fully digitized. Applicants will complete forms and make payments online. An electronic copy of the CERPAC will be emailed to the expatriate, and the physical card will be delivered to the applicant’s office following approval by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
• Integration with QR Code Technology: The new CERPAC will feature a QR code for ease of verification and authenticity checks.
• No Change in Fees: The current fee of $2,000 for CERPAC will remain unchanged.

Visa Reforms

• Launch of e-Visa System: Effective 1 May 2025, all visa applications will be processed online under the new Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025. The NIS will publish comprehensive guidance on its website.
• Temporary Work Permit (TWP):
  • The current TWP pre-application process will be phased out.
  • TWPs will now be processed entirely online for durations of 3 months (single entry) or 6 months (multiple entry).
  • TWP visa fees will be aligned with the CERPAC fee structure on a pro-rata basis.
• Implementation of Expatriate Administration System (EAS): The EAS is an administration system that will link the records of the Ministry and the Immigration Service for information sharing and compliance purposes. It will become operational from 1 May 2025, with a three-month moratorium. Full enforcement—including possible monetary penalties and travel bans for overstayers—will begin on 1 August 2025.
• Digital Landing and Exit Cards: Physical entry and exit cards will be discontinued. All travelers must complete digital landing and exit forms online prior to entering or departing Nigeria.

Expatriate Insurance Scheme

• A mandatory insurance scheme will be introduced to cover expatriate repatriation and related emergencies. The insurance payment will be made when expatriate CERPACs are purchased. Additional information is expected in the coming weeks.

What this means

Organizations employing expatriates in Nigeria are advised to review their compliance with existing immigration requirements, particularly in relation to:

• Understudy frameworks
• Quota utilization and justification
• Status of current expatriates and digital readiness for e-visa processes

Companies should also begin preparations to transition to the new digital systems in anticipation of the 1 May 2025 implementation date, and ensure all non-compliant expatriates regularize their status before the 1 August 2025 enforcement deadline.

How can we help?

At Vialto Partners we are well positioned to assist your organization in efficiently navigating these changes and remaining compliant. We can support you with Expatriate Quota strategy and compliance, status regularisation and risk mitigation, managing the CERPAC and visa transition process, and policy review and planning.

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Ade Ogunsanya
Partner

Ilebaye Achor
Manager

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