In this post, we explained how to obtain Expatriate Quota and CERPAC approvals, the costs, their purposes and requirements, the processes and more. Feel free to contact us for your Expatriate Quota and CERPAC services.
The sequential process to legally employ a foreign national in Nigeria involves obtaining a Business Permit, an Expatriate Quota, and a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC). We started with all you need to know about Expatriate Quota and later part of the page, we explained Aliens Card (CERPAC) application and requirements in details.
Definition:
What is Aliens Card (CERPAC)?
The Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), also known as an Aliens Card, is a residence and work permit issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to foreign nationals who intend to live and work in Nigeria. It is mandatory for any expatriate staying in the country for more than 56 days.
What is Expatriate Quota in the Nigerian contest?
In the Nigerian context, an Expatriate Quota (EQ) is an official approval granted by the Federal Ministry of Interior that authorizes a company to employ foreign nationals for specific positions. This approval is based on the rationale that foreign workers are needed for specialized skills and knowledge that are in short supply or unavailable in Nigeria. The approval is issued to a company, not an individual, and specifies the number of expatriates and the job roles they can fill.
Complete Guide: How to Start Business in Nigeria as a Foreigner
The expatriate quota system in Nigeria serves as a regulatory tool to control the employment of foreign nationals and ensure the transfer of specialized skills to Nigerian citizens.
To obtain an expatriate quota approval in Nigeria, a company must submit a formal application and a series of documents to the Ministry in charge.
Sequentially, bellow is the order of permits
- Business Permit: Allows a foreign-owned company to operate legally in Nigeria. This is a requirement for Expatriate Quota.
- Expatriate Quota: Authorizes that company to employ a specific number of expatriates. Business Permit and Expatriate Quota permit allows a company to apply for Aliens Card (CERPAC).
- CERPAC: Provides the individual expatriate with the legal right to reside and work in Nigeria
Expatriate Quota is for foreigners who want to embark on a voyage to Nigeria and work, do business or take over a business. Subsequent to a successful application of the expatriate quota in Nigeria, the foreigner becomes certified and eligible to carry on with work or business permit in Nigeria.
Read: How to Obtain Nigerian Business Permit
Types of Expatriate Quota in Nigeria
The expatriate quota is categorized into two different types. Each type of Expatriate quota to be applied for depends largely on the nature, relevance and duration of the position to be held by the expatriate.
Temporary Expatriate Quota
This type of expatriate quota is given for the purpose of positions to be occupied by the foreigner for a short period of time.
Permanent Until Reviewed (PUR):
This is granted to companies to enable foreign employees, such as managing director owners of the business to work in Nigeria. As the name implies the expatriate quota is usually for a longer period of time to be reviewed at a much father date.
Business Permit & Expatriate Quota Costs/ fees:
- Companies pay One Million and Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,500,000) for business permit Business names and limited partnerships are subject to a fee of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N750,000).
- Entities seeking to employ foreign nationals will now be required to pay One Million Naira (N1,000,000) to apply for an establishment grant of expatriate The renewal of such quota will cost Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000), while religious organizations will pay a reduced fee of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000).
- Project Tagged Expatriate Quota will now be processed at Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000). Extensions of such quotas will attract a fee of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000).
- Upgrading of Expatriate Quota to PUR Expatriate Quota will now cost Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000). Re-designation of PUR Expatriate Quota is Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) while down grading of PUR Expatriate quota attracts a fee of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000). Revalidating of PUR Expatriate Quota after 10 years now costs Ten Thousand United States Dollars ($10,000) replacing the earlier fee of Five Million and Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N5,600,000).
- Temporary Work Permits (TWPs) for expatriates involved in three (3) months projects now cost Six Hundred United States Dollars ($600), while six (6) months assignment will cost One Thousand and One Hundred United States Dollars ($1,100).
- Religious entities registered as companies limited by guarantee or incorporated trustees are to pay Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) for business permit applications. Non-religious entities in the same category will pay Seven Hundred and fifty thousand naira (N750,000).
- Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) for amendment of business permit.
- The fee for applying for an additional expatriate quota has increased to Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) (up from Two Hundred Thousand Naira, N200,000). The cost to redesignate an expatriate role has also surged from One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000) to Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000).
- Five Hundred United States Dollars ($500) for Ninety (90) to One Hundred and Eighty (180) Days Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance.
One Thousand United States Dollars ($1000) for Expatriates staying in Nigeria for one (1) year. - Applicants interested in obtaining the Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) will get an initial grant of three (3) years at the sum of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000), while those applying for renewal for two (2) years will pay the sum of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000).
- Citizenship by registration now costs Fifteen Million Naira (N15,000,000), while renunciation of citizenship is set at Five Million Naira (N5,000,000). More so, applicants interested in obtaining the Special Immigrant Status (SIS) will now pay the sum of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) for the status.
- Applicants applying under the ‘Naija Wives’ category will receive an initial three (3) year permit at a fee of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000), renewable for two (2) years at a fee of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000).
Read: Regulatory Compliance Consultant Firm
Expatriate Quota Requirements for Company
- Corporate registration: The company must be legally registered in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Documents include the Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, and a CAC Status Report.
- Minimum share capital: Foreign-owned or joint venture companies must meet a minimum paid-up share capital, which has recently been updated. Current guidance indicates a minimum of 100 million share capital is required.
- Business permit: A valid Business Permit is required for all foreign-owned companies and joint ventures.
- Financial documents: A recent, certified audited financial statement and a bank reference letter proving financial capability are required.
- Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance.
- Tax clearance: The company must provide a Corporate Tax Clearance Certificate.
- Evidence of operations: This includes a verifiable registered office address and proof of having operational premises, such as a Certificate of Occupancy or a lease agreement.
- Feasibility report: A comprehensive business plan or feasibility study report, which must also be registered with the CAC.
- Evidence of capital importation: A Certificate of Capital Importation and other bank documents detailing the investment are required for foreign investors.
Read: Business / Company Registration Service in Nigeria
For the expatriate position
- Justification of need: The company must provide a convincing justification for why the position cannot be filled by a qualified Nigerian. The Ministry of Interior is increasingly scrutinizing these requests.
- Understudy program: A detailed plan outlining the training program for Nigerian employees who will understudy the expatriate is mandatory. For each expatriate, at least two Nigerians with a bachelor’s degree or higher diploma must be nominated.
- Expatriate details: The application requires the proposed annual salary, job designation, qualifications, and the duration of employment for the expatriate.
Requirements for Expatriate Employee
- Educational qualification: Proof of the expatriate’s academic and professional qualifications, including university degrees, diplomas, or specialized training certificates.
- Employment duration: The expected duration of the expatriate’s employment.
- Proposed salary: Details of the expatriate’s proposed annual salary.
- Designation and duties: The specific job title and a clear description of the position.
- Curriculum vitae: A detailed CV of the prospective employee.
- Proof of registration: If the expatriate is in a profession regulated in Nigeria, they must present proof of registration with the relevant Nigerian professional body within six months of arrival.
Read: Business or Entity Formation in Nigeria
For specific sectors
- Oil and Gas: Companies operating in this industry must obtain a Certificate of No Objection from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) before the Federal Ministry of Interior can grant approval.
- Other regulated industries: Businesses in sectors like health, aviation, and mining must obtain a license or permit from the appropriate government agency.
Application process and compliance
- Online submission: Applications and monthly returns must be submitted electronically via the official e-CitiBiz portal.
- Electronic returns: Companies are required to submit monthly immigration returns online to the Ministry of Interior, detailing the utilization of their quota slots.
- Renewal process: Applications for renewal are reviewed based on the company’s compliance record, including its adherence to the understudy program.
Apart from the processes listed, you may require a consultant to be able to complete Expatriate Quota and CERPAC
The Purpose of expatriate Quota policy
- Promoting local employment: The quota scheme is designed to prevent the indiscriminate hiring of expatriates in positions where there are qualified and available Nigerians. The policy is intended to protect the local labor market and help reduce unemployment.
- Encouraging skill and technology transfer: A major objective is to facilitate the transfer of valuable knowledge, skills, and technology from foreign experts to Nigerian citizens. To achieve this, companies with expatriate employees must hire Nigerian “understudies,” who are trained to eventually take over the expatriates’ roles.
- Controlling foreign worker influx: The system allows the Nigerian government to manage the number of foreign nationals working in different sectors of the economy. This control mechanism is vital for sectors where local expertise can meet the demand.
- Safeguarding investment: The system also provides a pathway for foreign investors to protect their interests by employing key personnel in top management roles. The “Permanent Until Reviewed (PUR)” quota is reserved for senior executives, like the Chairman or Managing Director, to ensure the continuity of their investment.
- Enhancing compliance: By requiring a business permit and registration with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the quota system ensures that foreign-owned businesses are operating in compliance with Nigerian laws. This process helps regulate and formalize the presence of foreign enterprises in the country.
- Monitoring utilization: The Ministry of Interior monitors the use of quota positions to prevent misuse, such as “quota trafficking,” where companies illegally employ foreign workers in positions they are not qualified for or in roles not covered by their permit.
Read: Why & Best Sector To Invest in Nigeria
Aliens Card (CERPAC)
The Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), also known as an Aliens Card, is a residence and work permit issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to foreign nationals who intend to live and work in Nigeria. It is mandatory for any expatriate staying in the country for more than 56 days.
Purpose and function
- Proof of legal residence: A CERPAC card serves as an official form of identification and confirmation of legal residency in Nigeria.
- Work authorization: It grants an expatriate the legal right to take up employment in Nigeria, provided the employing company has a valid Expatriate Quota.
- Regularization of status: The card regularizes the immigration status of an expatriate who entered Nigeria on a “Subject to Regularization” (STR) visa.
- Multiple-entry travel: A valid CERPAC often functions as a multiple-entry permit, allowing the holder to travel in and out of Nigeria for its duration.
Key features
- Issuing body: The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) is the sole authority for issuing and renewing the CERPAC.
- Prerequisite: A company’s Expatriate Quota approval from the Federal Ministry of Interior is a required first step before an expatriate can apply for a CERPAC under that company.
- Validity: The card is typically valid for up to two years and is renewable upon expiration, subject to the validity of the underlying Expatriate Quota.
- Digital processing: As of August 2025, the application process for CERPAC is conducted exclusively through the NIS’s online portal.
Categories of CERPAC
There are two primary types of CERPAC cards:
- CERPAC Green Card: This is the standard card for foreign employees and other eligible residents, granting permission to reside and work in Nigeria. This is the main card for expatriates under an approved quota.
- CERPAC Brown Card: This card is for aliens who are not employed in Nigeria but are required to register their stay if it exceeds a certain period.
How to obtain a CERPAC
The process for a foreign employee generally includes these steps:
- Expatriate Quota: The employing company secures a valid Expatriate Quota from the Federal Ministry of Interior.
- STR Visa: The expatriate obtains a Subject to Regularization (STR) visa from a Nigerian embassy or consulate abroad and enters Nigeria.
- Online Application: The applicant or their employer completes the CERPAC application and pays the prescribed fee ($2,000 as of December 2018) via the official NIS online portal.
- Biometrics: The applicant undergoes biometric data capture (fingerprints and photograph) at a designated NIS office.
- Collection: After processing and approval, the applicant is notified to collect their CERPAC card.
Read: How to get an Oil and Gas License in Nigeria
For Renewal of Expatriate Quota
- Completed Immigration Form T/2
- Corporate Tax Clearance Certificate (original to be presented for sighting)
- Current Tax Clearance Certificate of the expatriates (originals are to be presented for sighting)
- Expatriate Quota Returns for the three months preceding the date of approval
- Detailed Training programmer for Nigerians
- List of Nigerians understudying expatriate on prescribed format showing date employed, qualifications etc.
- List of Nigerian Senior/Management staff showing names, designations, qualifications, salaries per annum,
- Certified Current Audited Accounts
- Annual Income Tax clearance Certificate of the Expatriate staff (original to be presented for sighting)
Additional Expatriate Quota
- Same document as for renewal of expatriate quota plus:
- Evidence of acquired machinery or expansion if the company is engaged in manufacturing in the form of Clean Certificate of Inspection (CCI) issued by Government appointed Pre-shipping inspection Agents.
- Evidence of new contract for companies engaging in construction/engineering and oil (original to be presented for sighting)
- Evidence of acquired farm/factory where the company is engaged in agro-allied business (original to be presented for sighting)
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