Nigeria’s Skilled Worker Hiring & Work Permit Process
Do you want to increase your international presence or specialised talent in your business in Nigeria? Federal Republic of Nigeria is a good investment location due to its strong economy and the young generation of workers. Nevertheless, to be successful in hiring a foreign skilled worker, a set of regulations of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has to be followed correctly.
Huge Conditions of Expatriate Quota
To get the quota, the Nigerian employer should prove that the company is viable in terms of corporate and have skills transfer plan.
- Corporate Documentation Nigeria: This entails the Certificate of Incorporation (CAC certificate) and Memorandum and Articles of Association and documentation of a substantial minimum share capital (which is usually 100 million naira where the company is owned by 100 percent foreigners).
- Business Justification: A comprehensive feasibility report or business plan justified by the necessity of the foreign hire requirements Nigeria
- Tax Compliance: Provision of an existing Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC).9
- Training Plan: This is a detailed plan that entails the training of Nigerians who will be understudying the expatriate to transfer skills.
- Practice Point: EQ slots are usually terminated with a period of three years that can be renewed to a maximum of ten years.11 Compliance and Reporting Nigeria- particularly those of monthly returns to the NIS is vital to the future renewal.12
Obtaining the Entry Visa Subject to Regularization (STR)
The foreign skilled worker has to obtain the Subject to Regularization (STR) Visa in the Nigerian Embassy or Consulate in his/her country of residence after obtaining the Expatriate Quota Approval which is the key to access entry to Nigeria to begin working.
STR Visa Documentation Checklist
The sponsoring company provides most of the key documents required in the application of this Employment Visa (Expatriate):
- An Offer of Employment Letter: The official paper describing the terms and conditions of the expatriate.
- Expatriate Quota Approval Letter: This is the official approval of the FMI.
- Employment Contract Nigeria: This is the duly signed Employment Contract Nigeria which should not contradict the Nigerian Labour Act.
- CV and Qualifications Vetting: The Nigerian Mission qualifies the expatriate with an academic and professional qualification by screening their detailed CV.
- Sponsorship requirement Nigeria: Immigration Responsibility (IR) acceptance formal application letter by an employer in Nigeria.
- Valid Passport: The passport of the expatriate should have at least six months to be valid.
Post-Arrival Full Work Permit and Residency
Once the skilled worker has entered Nigeria on the STR Visa, he or she has to regularize with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) within 90 days of the time frame of Visa. This last step makes sure that the skilled worker actually has a work permit in Nigeria.
The Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC)
The Residence Permit Nigeria. is the CERPAC or the Combinated Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card, which is the work permit and an identity card allowing the expatriate to remain, work, and leave/re-enter the country within a given time (usually one year which is renewable).
- CERPAC Application: The Application is submitted to NIS locally, which means that one has to pay the required Visa and Permit fees, Nigeria, personal data capture (biometrics), and submit all the initial visa documents.
- Timeline for processing of timelines work permit: The processing of the first stage of the timeline of the visa of the STR is not very time-consuming, however, the CERPAC process may require several weeks. When the permanent card is being processed, a temporary CERPAC card is usually issued to permit the traveling of the person.
- Visa Regularization Nigeria: The last phase Visa Regularization Nigeria is the conversion of the entry visa into the full legal right to be in the country and a legal right to work through the completion of the CERPAC.
FAQs
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Does a foreign national have the opportunity to work in Nigeria until he or she obtains his or her CERPAC?
Yes, the STR Visa enables the person to start working as soon as he/she arrives in the country as this type of Visa is issued on the basis of the approved Expatriate Quota.29, although, the CERPAC should be applied as soon as possible within the first 90 days to guarantee the full compliant legal means.
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What is the difference between the STR Visa and the TWP?
STR Visa is long-term, established employment under an Expatriate Quota Approval and results in the CERPAC residence permit.31 The Temporary Work Permit (TWP) is short-term, specific, and urgent assignments (not more than 6 months) and does not imply that the company needs an Expatriate Quota.
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What will happen to non-compliance?
Non-compliance, i.e. any non-obtained permits, whether they are an expiry Expatriate Quota Approval or an expiry of the CERPAC, can be severely punished by imposing fines, deportation of the expatriate and revocation of the quota to the company.
Final Thoughts
The process of successfully introducing a highly qualified immigrant visa holder to Nigeria is multi-phase and requires accuracy and compliance with the statutory criteria to simplify it and concentrate on the local development with the help of the global talent pool.34 The main pillars that companies can address in order to achieve successful hiring of a skilled worker to Nigeria are the Expatriate Quota Approval, the STR Visa, and the CERPAC.
Disclaimer
This paper is informational and educative rather than research based. Before finalizing the hiring or traveling decision, it is recommended that readers consult all existing legal requirements, Visa and Permit fees Nigeria and procedures directly with the official government sources, including the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) or the Federal Ministry of Interior.