Nigeria: New Digital Process Announced for Quota, Business Permit, and CERPAC Applications

On May 1, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), announced the launch of the Expatriate Administration System (EAS)—a digital platform designed to streamline and regulate the management of foreign nationals working and residing in Nigeria. Under the EAS, companies must submit expatriate quota (EQ) applications, business permit requests, and Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) applications entirely online, along with supporting documents such as proof of employment and payment of applicable fees. Previously, CERPAC applications had to be submitted in person, while EQ applications were processed electronically through the CITIBIZ platform only after physical copies were first lodged with the NIS. The NIS is expected to integrate this new online process into its portal in the coming months, and we will provide further updates once the system goes live.