The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced an overhaul of its permit system for expatriates, declaring that, effective August 1, 2025, all applications for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) must now be completed entirely online.
The directive was made public via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Nigeria Immigration Service on Thursday, July 31, 2025. As of that date, all physical forms were rendered obsolete.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service has launched a new digital platform to make the process faster, more transparent, and more convenient,” the statement read.
According to the Immigration Service, all CERPAC applications must be completed through the official portal at https://cerpac.immigration.gov.ng. It clarified that applicants who paid for physical forms but failed to complete or submit them by the deadline forfeited their applications.
What You Should Know
The CERPAC is a document issued to expatriates seeking legal residency and employment rights in Nigeria. The platform is designed to serve both in-country applicants, such as those seeking renewals, and foreigners applying from abroad.
Applicants are required to create an account, complete the online form, upload supporting documents, make payments electronically, and schedule a biometric appointment.
For applicants already residing in Nigeria, biometric capture must be done at the nearest Immigration Office. Foreign-based applicants are required to select a Nigerian embassy or consulate in their country of residence for biometric registration.
In cases where no Nigerian mission exists in their country, they must choose the nearest country that hosts one. The Immigration Service believes that this digitisation will not only improve the application experience but also enhance the integrity of data collection and monitoring.
What CERPAC Means
Established under the Immigration Act of 2015 and detailed in the Immigration Regulations of 2017, the CERPAC provides non-Nigerians the right to reside and engage in employment for periods usually exceeding one year.
Issuance of CERPAC falls under Sections 37 to 39 of the Act and Sections 11 to 14 of the Regulations, which govern the conditions under which residence permits may be granted or revoked.
With the latest transition to a digital-only process, the NIS expects to enhance compliance and reduce manual errors that previously slowed application approvals.
According to experts, the transition to a fully digital CERPAC application process aligns with Nigeria’s broader push towards e-governance and digital transformation in public services.
With the ICT sector already contributing over 17% of Nigeria’s GDP as of late 2024, and projected to reach 22% by 2027, experts say digitalizing key permit processes like CERPAC signals both economic and administrative maturity in the public sector.
This move is expected to reduce document fraud, enhance data accuracy, and enable more effective monitoring of expatriates living and working in the country, according to industry sources.
Talking Points
The Nigeria Immigration Service’s full transition to online CERPAC applications is a major leap in the country’s digital governance journey. It reflects a broader push to modernise public service delivery and cut through red tape.
For expatriates and businesses that rely on foreign talent, this move eliminates the paperwork and long queues that once defined immigration processes. Applying from anywhere in the world and booking biometric appointments online streamlines access and saves time.
At Techparley, we see this as a critical moment for Nigeria’s digital transformation. It’s not just about convenience, it’s about data accuracy, national security, and accountability in how residency and employment permits are issued.
With over 40,000 expatriates working in Nigeria as of 2024, a digital-first approach allows authorities to better track compliance, prevent document fraud, and ensure that permits are granted only to qualified individuals.
However, the success of this transition will hinge on awareness, ease of use, and trust in the online platform. Not all applicants may be digitally literate, so clear guidance and responsive support channels will be essential.
If sustained and well-managed, the digital overhaul of CERPAC could become a blueprint for how other Nigerian agencies handle high-volume, identity-driven services.
