The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled a new digital platform for the application and processing of the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), signaling a significant step forward in the country’s immigration modernization efforts. This move is part of broader reforms championed by the Federal Government to enhance administrative efficiency, transparency, and user experience across public services.

According to a statement released by ACI Akinlabi, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, the digitization of the CERPAC process will formally take effect on August 1, 2025, after which all applications must be submitted exclusively via the online platform: https://cerpac.immigration.gov.ng.

Physical Submissions to End July 31

The NIS has imposed a firm deadline for the transition to digital processing. From August 1, 2025, physical CERPAC application forms will no longer be accepted. Any applicant or organization with an unsubmitted but paid physical form must finalize their submission before July 31, 2025, or risk forfeiting both their application status and any payments already made.

“Responsibility lies with expatriates and sponsoring organizations to complete all pending submissions within the stipulated timeframe to avoid any inconvenience,” the statement said. “Consequently, any CERPAC form not submitted after the deadline will be rendered void and invalid.”

The NIS is urging companies and individuals overseeing the immigration processes for foreign nationals in Nigeria to comply swiftly to prevent processing delays or legal issues.

What Is CERPAC?

The Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) is a key document issued by the NIS to foreign nationals living and working in Nigeria. It combines a residence permit with a form of identification, granting expatriates the legal right to live, work, or do business in Nigeria for a specified period—typically up to one year, with renewals allowed.

The CERPAC is an essential part of Nigeria’s immigration infrastructure and is mandatory for all expatriates employed in the country across sectors such as oil and gas, telecommunications, finance, manufacturing, construction, and more.

Online Platform Features

The new online CERPAC portal—now live—allows applicants to:

• Register and create secure user profiles

• Submit complete applications electronically

• Track the status of their application in real time

• Upload supporting documents such as passports, employment letters, and corporate guarantees

• Make online payments securely via integrated payment gateways

• Receive automated updates via email or SMS

This marks a fundamental shift from the historically manual process, which often involved delays, paperwork duplication, and administrative bottlenecks.

Overstay Fines and Amnesty Period

The NIS also reminded the public of its newly introduced penalty for visa overstays, which will take effect from September 1, 2025. Foreigners who remain in Nigeria beyond their approved visa duration will now be subject to a $15 daily fine until they regularize their status or leave the country.

To ease this transition, the government had earlier announced a three-month amnesty window from May 1 to August 1, 2025, during which foreigners with expired visas may voluntarily exit Nigeria without penalty. This window is intended to help undocumented expatriates clear their records ahead of the new enforcement regime.

The overstay fine and digital CERPAC rollout follow other recent changes, including:

• Launch of the automated landing and exit card system

• Introduction of a digital e-Visa application platform

• Streamlining of passport renewal and production timelines

Boosting Compliance, Transparency, and National Security

This overhaul of Nigeria’s immigration operations under the current administration is aimed at eliminating fraud, improving record-keeping, and ensuring that expatriates residing in the country are properly documented. It is also part of efforts to meet global standards on border management, national security, and service delivery.

By requiring all CERPAC applications to go through a centralized and traceable system, the NIS hopes to:

• Minimize illegal residency

• Curb the use of forged documents

• Improve the ease of doing business for legitimate expatriates

• Build an accurate national database of foreign residents

Organizations Urged to Act

The NIS has emphasized that employers, law firms, consultants, and immigration liaison officers should immediately adjust their compliance systems to integrate with the digital portal. With the July 31 cutoff date fast approaching, delays in adapting may result in application voidance, expatriate status invalidation, or fines.

Applicants and stakeholders with inquiries have been directed to contact the NIS through the office of the Public Relations Officer, whose contact details are available on the agency’s official website.

Final Thoughts

This reform positions Nigeria to better manage its growing expatriate population and aligns its immigration practices with those of developed nations. However, the success of the digital platform will depend on continued system reliability, user training, and ongoing support for organizations and individuals adjusting to the new process.

As the countdown to August 1 begins, stakeholders are advised to prioritize compliance and leverage the new portal to ensure seamless transitions, avoid penalties, and foster a more transparent and efficient immigration environment.