Important Updates
Important Updates
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Restrictions for Sponsored Work Routes Forthcoming
July 18, 2025 | RussiaRussia: Reduced Stay Periods Implemented for Visa-Free Entry 
July 18, 2025 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Civics Services Expansion for Citizens Abroad Facilitates Processes
July 18, 2025 | SwedenSweden: Proposed Reforms to Single Permit Regime
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: eVisa System on Track for 2025 Commencement
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Restrictions for Sponsored Work Routes Forthcoming
July 18, 2025 | RussiaRussia: Reduced Stay Periods Implemented for Visa-Free Entry 
July 18, 2025 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Civics Services Expansion for Citizens Abroad Facilitates Processes
July 18, 2025 | SwedenSweden: Proposed Reforms to Single Permit Regime
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: eVisa System on Track for 2025 Commencement
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Restrictions for Sponsored Work Routes Forthcoming
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

New Regulations Implement 2015 Immigration Act

March 28, 2017

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • NigeriaNigeria

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Nigeria

Nigerian immigration authorities have issued regulations to implement the 2015 Immigration Act and to consolidate existing immigration rules. The regulations do not change existing transactional immigration processes or implement new responsibilities for employers of foreign workers, but instead set criminal penalties for employers that do not comply with already-existing rules under the Immigration Act. The new regulations provide details on Business Permits, the Spousal Residence Permit, a new investment visa pathway, an expanded visa-on-arrival and a new registration requirement for foreign nationals, among other changes.

Key provisions are explained below.

Business Permit and Foreign Worker Quota Provisions

The regulations have codified the requirement for all companies in Nigeria with foreign ownership or shareholders to obtain a Business Permit.

Companies with pending quota renewal applications will be issued a stay of action letter which bars deportation proceedings until a decision is made.

Temporary Work Permit

The Temporary Work Permit (TWP) can now be extended in country for a further 30 days. Additionally, the regulations stipulate that those who fail to renew their TWP are subject to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of 500,000 Naira after conviction.

Residence Permit

The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (CGI) now has the discretion to issue Residence Permits for a period of up to two years provided the company has a valid foreign worker quota. The Residence Permit was previously valid for one year only.

Investment Visa

The 2015 Immigration Act establishes an investment visa for foreign nationals that meet certain investment criteria. The new regulations state that eligible foreign nationals qualify for a permanent Residence Permit. Future regulations are expected to qualify the minimum investment amount and other related details.

Visa-on-Arrival

The visa-on-arrival is now available to all business travellers, whereas in the past only executives of multi-national companies and those from countries without a Nigerian consular post were eligible.

Spousal Residence Permit

The new regulations also establish a multiple-entry Spousal Residence Permit for foreign nationals married to Nigerian nationals. Previously, the law only allowed male applicants to apply for the Spousal Residence Permit on behalf of their female spouse; now the law allows female applicants to apply for their male spouses. Same-sex partners are still not recognised for the purposes of immigration law.

New Registration Requirement

Foreign nationals arriving in and departing from Nigeria must now register and obtain a certificate of registration. Additionally, foreign nationals who intend to change their residence status or whose circumstances have changed since registration must notify NIS in the state where they are registered within seven days of the change. The authorities have not provided guidance on where and how the registration will be conducted.

Landlords and hotels must keep track of the foreign nationals staying in their establishments.

Penalties

The rules set criminal penalties for employers that do not comply with already-existing rules under the Immigration Act and reiterate that employers are responsible for ensuring that foreign employees comply with immigration laws. Noncomplying employers are subject to the following penalties, as outlined in the Immigration Act 2015:

Failure to renew a TWP may result in imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of NGN 500,000.

Employers may be fined NGN 3,000,000 for failure to renew their foreign worker quota or render foreign worker tax returns.

Employers failing to employ Nigerian nationals as understudies for foreign employees may be fined NGN 3,000,000 for each month of noncompliance.

Employers who engage in quota trafficking, i.e., allowing another company to utilize its foreign worker quota positions, are subject to a penalty of NRN 3,000,000.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

Employers and foreign nationals must comply with the new regulations and should note the above penalties and new registration requirement.

The new renewal period for the TWP, the expanded criteria for the visa-on-arrival and Spousal Residence Permit and the longer Residence Permit validity period should benefit foreign nationals.

Further details and implementation guidance are expected to be published in the near future. Fragomen will continue monitoring these developments and will report on further details as they become available.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

© 2017 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Country / Territory

  • NigeriaNigeria

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Windpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules

Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Creative Industries & Immigration: What the 2025 Policy Changes Mean

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.

Learn more

Media mentions

AAML: Navigating U.S. Passport Applications for Minors Under 16: A Guide for Family Law Attorneys

Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.

Learn more

Blog post

Fast-track Visa Options for Technical Workers: Türkiye’s AMS Visa and Greece’s Installation Visa

Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.

Learn more

Video

Regional Immigration Overviews 2025 | #MobilityMinute

Director Raj Mann shares an overview of Fragomen's newly released 2025  Regional Immigration Overviews, a supplement to the firm's Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.

Learn more

Video

A Guide to EU Visa Categories for Non-EU Nationals

Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Partner Visa 2025: Is Cohabitation Still Required for Unmarried Couples?

Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Standard: 11 Million US Visa Backlog Crushes Indian H-1B, Green Card Dreams: Decoded

Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

EES and ETIAS: Automation Meets Immigration Complexity

Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group

Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Learn more

Blog post

Policy Reform Proposal: Granting Automatic Employment Authorization to Spouses of Work Visa Holders in South Africa

Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: UAE Golden Visa Explained: From Nomination to Investment and Who is Eligible

UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Windpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules

Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Creative Industries & Immigration: What the 2025 Policy Changes Mean

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.

Learn more

Media mentions

AAML: Navigating U.S. Passport Applications for Minors Under 16: A Guide for Family Law Attorneys

Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.

Learn more

Blog post

Fast-track Visa Options for Technical Workers: Türkiye’s AMS Visa and Greece’s Installation Visa

Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.

Learn more

Video

Regional Immigration Overviews 2025 | #MobilityMinute

Director Raj Mann shares an overview of Fragomen's newly released 2025  Regional Immigration Overviews, a supplement to the firm's Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.

Learn more

Video

A Guide to EU Visa Categories for Non-EU Nationals

Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Partner Visa 2025: Is Cohabitation Still Required for Unmarried Couples?

Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Standard: 11 Million US Visa Backlog Crushes Indian H-1B, Green Card Dreams: Decoded

Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

EES and ETIAS: Automation Meets Immigration Complexity

Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group

Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Learn more

Blog post

Policy Reform Proposal: Granting Automatic Employment Authorization to Spouses of Work Visa Holders in South Africa

Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: UAE Golden Visa Explained: From Nomination to Investment and Who is Eligible

UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.