Immigration Lawyer in Abuja

A Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) is required for foreign nationals residing and working in Nigeria. It is usually issued for one year and renewed on expiry, although a two year card is now available for some fresh expatriate quota positions, and its validity is tied to your employer's expatriate quota.

CERPAC applications typically take 4 to 8 weeks once all documents are submitted. We manage the entire process and keep you updated on progress.

Yes. Dependants of work permit holders can apply for dependent residence permits. We advise on the requirements and manage the applications.

An expatriate quota is an approval from the Federal Ministry of Interior that allows a company in Nigeria to employ foreign nationals in named positions. A company usually needs the quota before it can bring in foreign staff for long term work, and it must keep to the positions and numbers approved.

For long term employment the usual route is: the employer obtains an expatriate quota position, the employee gets a Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa from a Nigerian mission abroad, and after arrival the employee regularises their stay by obtaining a CERPAC from the Nigeria Immigration Service. For short technical work, a Temporary Work Permit may apply instead.

Generally no. A visitor or business visa allows activities such as meetings, but not paid employment. Working without the right permit can lead to penalties for both the employee and the employer, and since 2025 overstaying a visa attracts a daily fine and can lead to a ban on returning to Nigeria.