Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC)

The Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Cards (CERPAC) is a residence permit issued to foreigners residing or employed in Nigeria. The CERPAC serves as proof of legal residence and identity for foreigners in Nigeria.

  1. Immigration Act: Section 37, 38 and 39 of Immigration Act 2015 governs immigration matters in Nigeria, regarding Residency, employment and revocation of residence permit in Nigeria.
  2. Immigration Regulations: section 11, 12,13, and 14 of the Immigration Regulation 2017 empowers the Nigeria Immigration service to issue resident cards to foreign seeking employment or residency in Nigeria.

Purpose
The essence of CERPAC is to allow foreigner live and work legally in Nigeria for an extended period, usually One (1) years and above, subject to renewal.
Eligibility
Foreigners who wish to reside in Nigeria for a period not less than one (1) may be eligible for a CERPAC. This includes foreigners coming with Temporary or Permanent Resident Visas (TRV/PRV) as stated below:


1. Business Owners: Foreigners who own businesses in Nigeria.
2. Employees: Foreigners employed by Nigerian companies.
3. Students: Foreign students studying in Nigeria.
4. Dependents: Dependents of foreigners residing in Nigeria.
5. Retirees: Foreigners (65 and above) willing to reside in Nigeria after their years of service.


Application Process
1. Online Application: Submit an online application through the NIS portal.
2. Required Documents: Upload required documents, including:
– Valid passport with Nigerian visa
– Proof of employment, business registration, or student status
– Other supporting documents as required
3. Payment: Pay the applicable fees online (USD 2,000 for employed foreigners, USD 600 for Students and Gratis for foreigners married to Nigeria citizens)
4. Biometric Data: Provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) at a designated NIS office.
5. Processing: The NIS will process the application and verify the documents.


TYPES OF CERPAC
1. Temporary Residence Permit: Issued for a specific period, usually tied to the validity of employment contract.
2. Permanent Residence Permit: Issued to foreigners who wish to reside in Nigeria for an extended period and meet specific requirements.
Renewal and Replacement
1. Renewal: CERPACs can be renewed before expiration by submitting an application for renewal along with required documents specific to the application.
2. Replacement: Lost or damaged CERPACs can be replaced by submitting an application for replacement, Police report, Court Affidavit and other required documents specific to the request.


Benefits
1. Legal Residence: CERPAC confirms legal residence in Nigeria.
2. Identification: It serves as a form of identification for foreigners.
3. Compliance: Having a CERPAC helps foreigners comply with Nigerian immigration regulations.

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NIS Receives Operational Vehicles Donated by German Federal Police

Great strides in enhancing Border Security was made today, 20th December, 2024 as the Nigeria Immigration Service, officially, received two (2) operational vehicles donated by the German Federal Police.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy, Mr. Johannes Lehne, who represented the German Ambassador to Nigeria highlighted the importance of the continued synergy between Nigeria Immigration Service and the German Federal Police towards the shared goal and commitment to Border Security and Migration Management.

In her response, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service KN Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, expressed her appreciation to the German Federal Police and the German Government for their continuous support and partnership.

The CGIS further stated that these operational vehicles will be deployed to the Borders and will complement the NIS ongoing commitment towards strengthening Border Security logistics which is in line with this present administration’s priority of securing Nigeria’s Borders and ensuring safe, orderly and humane Migration.

DCI KT UDO,

Service Public Relations Officer,

Service Headquarters, Abuja.

20th December, 2024.

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Specialized Training for Top Management Support Staff

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has successfully concluded a Specialised Training and Capacity-building Program for Special and Personal Assistants of its Top Management held at Golden Dabis Hotel, Keffi. The program aimed at enhancing participants’ strategic competencies and equips them with essential skills set to excel in their roles.

During the Training, the Principal Staff Officer to the Comptroller General of Immigration (PSO-CGIS), CIS AA Aridegbe who represented the the dynamic Comptroller General of the Service, KN Nandap pcc, mmis, fsm, praised participants for their dedication and commitment to excellence. He charged them to use the knowledge and skills acquired during this training towards excellent service delivery.

The modules covered at the program which underscores NIS’ commitment to capacity building and operational efficiency  of the participants include Refining Organisational Skills, Importance of Ethics and Confidentiality, Sharpening Analytical Skills as well as Writing Skills.

DCI KT UDO

SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

SERVICE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA

9TH AUGUST, 2024.

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Comptroller General, NIS Hosts DG NAPTIP, Expresses Commitment to Effective Border Governance

Earlier today, the Director General (DG), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, OON, with some of her management team paid a visit to the Comptroller General Nigeria Immigration Service.

Highlighting the objective of the visit, the DG NAPTIP expressed her desire to strengthen the existing relationship between both Agencies, and to seek more collaboration in tackling Trafficking In Persons (TIP).

In her response, the Comptroller General of Immigration Service (CGIS), KN Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, commended the DG NAPTIP’s efforts in tackling “TIP” and further reiterated that through collaboration and partnership we can effectively combat threats to our nation.  She stressed that NIS will not relent in the fight against Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) and TIP especially with the e-solutions being introduced and through collaborative efforts in areas of intelligence and data sharing.

The Nigeria Immigration Service is committed to safeguarding the Nations Borders and enhancing Migration Management.

DCI KT UDO

Service Public Relations Officer,

Service Headquarters, Abuja.

20th November, 2024.

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Comptroller General, NIS Receives Excellence in Leadership Award, Decorated Servicom Champion

During the week, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) joined the rest of the world in observing international customer week with a theme: “Above and Beyond”.

The week-long Event which started on the 7th October, 2024, ended today Friday, 11th October, 2024, with the decoration and award of the Comptroller General of Immigration Service (CGIS), KN Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, with “SERVICOM Champion of Nigeria Immigration Service” emblem and “Excellent Award in Leadership”. While performing the decoration, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, SERVICOM Office, Presidency, Mrs Nnenna Akagemeli, represented by Mr Ben Oluko showered accolades on the CGIS for the great improvement being witnessed in the Service under her watch.

In her speech, the CGIS ably represented by the DCG incharge of Investigation and Compliance, GC Didel, charged officers and men to step up efforts at exceeding customers’ expectations at our service windows. The thanked the National Coordinator and our esteem customers for robust engagement over the years. She further expressed firm commitment to excellent service delivery through capacity building in hostmanship and  SERVICOM related initiatives which have direct bearing on compliance with institutional ethics and global best practices.

Twenty-One (21) other deserving officers including top management staff were recognised with varying categories of awards which include SERVICOM Friendly Disposition Award (11 awardees), Adminstration Prowess Award (1 awardee), ICT Prowess and Excellent Support System Award (2 awardees),  SERVICOM Excellence Service Delivery Award (4 awardees) and Excellent Complaint Resolution Award (1 awardee).

DCI KT Udo,

Service Public Relations Officer,

Service Headquarters, Abuja. 11th October, 2024.

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Attack on Service Security Facilities, Contractors On Site by Suspected Terrorists

The Service regrets to announce a recent attack by a suspected terrorist group on Border facilities and contractors on site, at the Kangiwa Border in Kangiwa Local Government Area of Kebbi State at about 1920 hours on Friday 10th, January 2025.

  1. The attack led to the death of four persons; a local watchman and three contractors. No Immigration officer was killed during the attack. However, the Service recorded substantial damages on it’s Border facilities.
  2. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the deceased. The Service is actively working alongside other sister security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for these heinous acts and bring them to justice.
  3. The Nigeria Immigration Service remains steadfast in fulfilling its core mandate of Border Security, aligned with the overarching objective of enhancing National Security.

e-Signed
DCI KT UDO
SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
12TH JANUARY, 2025

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NIS Receives IOM’s Chief Of Mission, and the Ambassador of Burkina Faso

Today, IOM’s Chief of Mission, Paola Pace, and Ambassador of Burkina Faso, Passida Paschal Gouba, paid a courtesy visit to the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, KN Nandap, pcc, mnis, fsmn. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations, address shared concerns on regional migration.

  1. In her remarks, the Comptroller General, emphasised the critical role partnerships play in managing Migration in the Country. In addition, she noted the successes birthed by these strategic partnerships over the years and, also, the progress made in the digitisation process being made in the Service. Furthermore, she outlined key areas for possible collaboration which have operational, technical and legal dimensions.
  2. The Chief of Mission IOM, and the Ambassador of Burkina Faso, in separate remarks, expressed their commitment to work with the Service towards delivering on its statutory Mandates.

DCI KT UDO,
Service Public Relations Officer,
Service Headquarters, Abuja.
20th December, 2024.

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