The situation

Effective May 7, 2018, the Nigerian Ministry of Interior will be launching a mandatory online service to enhance the processing of applications by the Ministry of Interior. The service will change the application process for the permit types processed by the Ministry.

Affected processes

The online system will affect the following immigration processes:

• Business Permit applications (foreign and joint venture companies seeking to participate in business activities in Nigeria);
• Establishment Grant (non-governmental organizations, state governments or other public offices seeking to send foreign workers to Nigeria);
• Expatriate Quotas (new and renewal quota requests and all other quota-related processes including Quota Re-validation, Quota Upgrade to PUR, Quota Re-designation, Quota Withdrawal, Quota Renewal, Stay of Action, Monthly Quota Returns); and
• Citizenship processes.  

Impact for employers

Employers should file applications for affected permit types, particularly Expatriate Quota applications, far in advance, due to the potential processing delays once the online system is launched.

Background

Previously, applications for the above-mentioned permits could only be submitted in hard copy.

Looking ahead

The Ministry of Interior has not yet published details on the new steps required for the online process. Fragomen will provide more information on the new process steps and their impact once the website has launched.

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 africainfo@fragomen.com.