Work permits and visas in Nigeria: An employer’s guide

Hiring in Nigeria? Whether you’re bringing on a new team member or relocating someone from your existing workforce, you’ll need to follow the country’s immigration and work permit rules.

Understanding which type of visa or permit applies is key, since every worker needs the right documentation before they can legally work in Nigeria. Add in local laws around immigration, tax, and employment, and things can get complicated quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of work visas in Nigeria, from the different options available to practical tips. So let’s jump straight in.

Why is it important to obtain the right work visa in Nigeria?

If you’re hiring or relocating employees in Nigeria, it’s important to stay compliant with the country’s visa and work permit rules. Failing to do so can expose your business to financial penalties, legal risks, and even reputational damage.

To avoid complications, it's crucial to make sure that every team member has the right legal status to live and work in the country before they start, and that you seek professional advice where necessary.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Nigeria

Who needs a work visa in Nigeria?

The following groups of people do not need a work visa:

• Nigerian citizens (even if they currently live abroad)
• Permanent residents (or valid holders of the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC))

What about ECOWAS citizens?

Citizens of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) countries may enter Nigeria without a visa for short stays. However, if they intend to work, they must still obtain the correct work authorization from the Nigerian Immigration Service.

All other foreign nationals must apply for and obtain a work visa if they intend to be employed in Nigeria.

Note that Remote’s Relocation service can help advise on whether your employee is eligible to work in Nigeria, and provide tailored guidance on visa and immigration requirements. Learn more.

Types of work visas in Nigeria

The Nigerian Immigration Service offers several types of work visa for foreign nationals, including:

Subject to Regularisation visa

The Subject to Regularisation visa is the primary route for foreign nationals who intend to take up long-term employment in Nigeria. Unlike the Temporary Work Permit (see below), the STR visa is designed for employees who will live and work in the country under a formal contract with a Nigerian company. It is typically issued for 90 days, allowing the employee to enter Nigeria and begin the process of regularising their stay.

Once in the country, your employee must apply for the CERPAC, which grants them both residency and work authorization for the duration of their employment.

The STR visa (followed by the issuance of a CERPAC) creates a stable legal pathway for employing foreign professionals in Nigeria. Employees under this system enjoy lawful residency and work rights, while employers gain access to international expertise that supports their operations.

Temporary Work Permit

The Temporary Work Permit is the main visa route for foreign nationals entering Nigeria to carry out short-term, specialised assignments. It is designed for situations where an overseas employee is needed for a specific technical task or project, such as equipment installation, maintenance, training, auditing, or consultancy work.

The Temporary Work Permit is typically valid for up to 90 days and does not create an employment relationship with a Nigerian company. Instead, the individual remains employed by their foreign company while being authorised to work temporarily in Nigeria. This makes it particularly useful for multinationals and service providers who need to send experts into the country for limited engagements.

The Temporary Work Permit offers a straightforward solution for businesses that need access to specialised skills without the administrative burden of securing an expatriate quota or long-term work authorisation. However, it is important to remember that the Temporary Work Permit is strictly limited to short-term work. Employees holding this visa cannot extend their stay indefinitely, take up new roles, or transition directly into full employment with a Nigerian company without switching to the Subject to Regularisation visa route.

Does Nigeria offer a digital nomad visa?

No. The Nigerian government does not yet offer a dedicated digital nomad visa, although this may change in the future.

See also: Which other countries offer digital nomad visas?

What are the visa requirements in Nigeria?

To apply for the temporary work permit in Nigeria, an applicant will first need to have an existing job offer. Both you and your applicant will have to apply for a Temporary Work Permit to the Comptroller General of Immigration. 

Upon approval, your employee will receive a confirmation letter from the Comptroller General, which must be submitted with the permit application. In addition to a job offer and authorization from the Nigerian Immigration Service, your employee must also have a passport with at least six months validity, and the ability to demonstrate qualifications for the position for which they were hired. 

Subject to Regularisation visa applications also require a valid job offer, and must have their credentials formally approved by an official from the Nigerian High Court or a Nigerian embassy.

How do you apply for a Nigerian work visa?

Hiring foreign talent in Nigeria requires careful coordination between your organisation, the employee, and the Nigerian Immigration Service. Typically, you’ll need to do the following:

1. Determine the correct visa route

The first step is to decide whether your employee requires a Temporary Work Permit or a Subject to Regularisation visa. As mentioned, the former is intended for short-term, highly specialised assignments lasting up to 90 days, such as technical projects, audits, or equipment installation, while the latter is designed for long-term employment and provides the pathway for the worker to live and work in Nigeria on a continuous basis.

Identifying the correct visa at the outset ensures you pursue the right authorisations and avoid delays.

2. Obtain employer approvals

Before an employee can apply for their visa, you must secure the necessary approvals from the Nigerian authorities.

For a Temporary Work Permit, this means applying directly to the Comptroller General for an approval cable, which formally authorises the assignment.

For a Subject to Regulation visa, your business must first hold an approved expatriate quota issued by the Ministry of Interior. This quota specifies the number of foreign workers your company can employ and for which roles, and it must be in place before you can move forward with the visa process.

3. Provide documentation to the employee

Once the approvals are granted, your role as the employer is to supply your employee with the supporting documentation they need to make their visa application.

In the case of a Temporary Work Permit, this includes the approval cable and relevant company paperwork that confirms the legitimacy of the assignment.

For a Subject to Regulation visa, you will need to provide the expatriate quota approval, a legally compliant employment contract, and supporting corporate documents such as registration and tax compliance certificates. These documents form the foundation of the employee’s visa application package.

4. Submit the application

With the necessary employer-provided documents in hand, your employee can then submit their visa application at the Nigerian embassy or consulate in their country of residence.

Alongside the documents you provide, they will also need to submit:

• A valid passport (with at least six months remaining validity)
• Passport-sized photographs
• Proof of qualifications for the role
• A completed visa application form
• Relevant government and visa fees

Once the application is reviewed and approved, the visa will be endorsed in their passport, allowing them to travel to Nigeria.

5. Enter Nigeria and complete local registration

After entering Nigeria, the next step depends on the visa type. Employees holding a Temporary Work Permit can begin their assignment immediately but must leave once the permit expires, as this work permit cannot be converted into long-term residency.

Employees entering on a Subject to Regulation visa must complete the process of regularising their stay within 90 days by applying for the CERPAC. This card serves as both a residence permit and work authorization and is valid for one year at a time, renewable in line with the employment contract.

6. Maintain ongoing compliance

Your responsibility as an employer continues well beyond the employee’s arrival. You must ensure that all permits and quotas remain valid, renew them as required, and notify the Nigerian Immigration Service of any changes in employment status (such as early termination or role changes).

Compliance is an ongoing obligation, and failing to keep accurate records or missing renewal deadlines can expose your company to significant penalties. By maintaining structured HR and compliance processes, you ensure your expatriate hires remain fully authorised to live and work in Nigeria.

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Nigeria, you’ll need to have your own local entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s EOR service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Nigeria on your company’s behalf, and handle onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local employment and payroll tax laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Nigeria, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on the visa process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.