Apply Online (ECOWAS Residence Permit)

1. To apply for ECOWAS Residence permit online, the applicant has to visit the following link: apply online
2. Visit the online application page and complete the application form as required.
3. Enter the required particulars in the respective fields provided and make the selections as per your requirement.
4. Once completed all the sections as applicable, enter the code displayed, check the declaration box and click “Submit Application” button.
5. You Application ID and Reference number will be displayed, note it down which will be required afterwards and then click “Close”.
6. The details you provided will be displayed in the next page, check once and if you want to change anything, click back arrow and make the change.
7. Then, follow the same to submit the application. Scroll to the bottom in the next page and click “Print Acknowledgement Slip” button to print the slip for submission.
8. Your slip will be displayed in a separate tab in which you have to click “Print” button to print it. Then, click “Proceed to Online Payments” button to make payment.
9. You will be directed to the next page which will contain two payment currencies. Select any one as applicable and click “Continue” button.
10. In the next page, you will have to select whether you are going to make payment at bank or online through the selected gateway.
11. Select an option as applicable and click “proceed to make payment” button. In case of bank payment, payment request receipt will be generated, click “Print” button and print the receipt.
12. Otherwise, you have to enter the card details in the relevant fields and click Pay button to make the online payment.
13. In either case, you will have to present the payment receipt when you visit the office to submit the application form.
14. Make a print out of the above completed form, attach the documents listed “required documents” section of this page and visit the immigration office chosen during online application.
15. Submit the application to the relevant authority at the office and your application submission process ends here.
16. Once all the internal processes got over and your Residence card is ready for collection, you will get a notification from the Immigration office and you can collect it by any applicable means.

Apply In-Person:
Expatriate Residence Permit:

1. To apply for an Expatriate Residence Permit in person, the applicant has to visit the Office of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters Abuja or at the applicant’s Residential State Commands.
2. The contact links and address details can be found in the “Office Locations & Contacts” section of this page.
3. Compile the application request in the form of an application letter for the Expatriate Residence Permit.
4. Visit the office with application letter and other documents listed in the “required documents” section of this page.
5. Submit the application package at the office and also pay the fees as directed by the officials.
6. Once all the internal processes got over and your Residence permit is ready for collection, you will get a notification from the Immigration office and you can collect it by any applicable means.

Government officials Residence permit:

1. To apply for Government Officials Residence permit in person, the applicant has to visit the Office of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Seice Headquarters Abuja or at the applicant’s Residential State Commands.
2. The contact links and address details can be found in the “Office Locations & Contacts” section of this page.
3. Compile the application request in the form of an application letter for the Government Officials Residence permit.
4. Visit the office with application letter and other documents listed in the “required documents” section of this page.
5. Submit the application package at the office and also pay the fees as directed by the officials.
6. Once all the internal processes got over and your Residence permit is ready for collection, you will get a notification from the Immigration office and you can collect it by any applicable means.

Accredited Diplomats Residence permit:

1. To apply for Accredited Diplomats Residence permit in person, the applicant has to visit the Office of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters Abuja or at the applicant’s Residential State Commands.
2. 'The contact links and address details can be found in the “Office Locations & Contacts” section of this page.
3. Visit the office and get a VISA application form from the respective department. Complete it with required details.
4. In addition, the applicant will have to obtain a Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a Request letter from the Embassy/High Commission/International Agency.
5. Visit the office with the completed application and other documents listed in the “required documents” section of this page and submit the application package.
6. Once all the internal processes got over and your Residence permit is ready for collection, you will get a notification from the Immigration office and you can collect it by any applicable means.

Residence Permit for staff of INGO and NGO:

1. To apply for Residence Permit for staff of INGO and NGO in person, the applicant has to visit the Office of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters Abuja or at the applicant’s Residential State Commands.
2. The contact links and address details can be found in the “Office Locations & Contacts” section of this page.
3. Visit the office and get a VISA application form from the respective department. Complete it with required details.
4. In addition, the applicant will have to obtain a Accreditation Letter from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and Application letter from the organization accepting Immigration Responsibility.
5. Visit the office with the completed application and other documents listed in the “required documents” section of this page and submit the application package.
6. Once all the internal processes got over and your Residence permit is ready for collection, you will get a notification from the Immigration office and you can collect it by any applicable means.

Permit for Special Immigrant Status and Niger Wives:

1. To apply for Permit for Special Immigrant Status and Niger Wives in person, the applicant has to visit the Office of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters Abuja or at the applicant’s Residential State Commands.
2. The contact links and address details can be found in the “Office Locations & Contacts” section of this page.
3. Compile the application request in the form of an application letter for the Permit for Special Immigrant Status and Niger Wives.
4. Visit the office with application letter and other documents listed in the “required documents” section of this page.
5. Submit the application package at the office and also pay the fees (if any) as directed by the officials.
6. Once all the internal processes got over and your Residence permit is ready for collection, you will get a notification from the Immigration office and you can collect it by any applicable means.

• Visit the following link and click on an applicable permit category for getting requirements list: Link

Nigeria Immigration Service - Head Office
Uma Musa Yar Adu'a Express Way, Int’l Airport Road,
Sauka, Abuja.
FCT Nigeria.
P.M.B. 38, Garki, Abuja.
Nigeria.
Phone: +2347080607900
Fax:+2348119753844
Email: info@immigration.gov.ng<br. Website: Immigration Service Contact

• Any person from any other nationality, who wishes to obtain a Nigerian Residence Permit, can apply.
• The applying person can be an ECOWAS national, Expatriate for work or education, Government official, Accredited Diplomat and Foreign spouse of Nigerian.

ECOWAS Residence Card:
Togolese: N25,000.00
Cote d’Ivoire: N6,580.00
Other ECOWAS Citizens: N500.00

Expatriate Residence Permit:
All other categories – N762100.00/annum
Students and Missionaries – N152420.00/annum

Government officials Residence permit: Free

Accredited Diplomats Residence permit: Free

Non-accredited Staffs: N762100.00/annum

Residence Permit for staff of INGO and NGO: Free for INGO and N762100.00/annum for NGO

Permit for Special Immigrant Status and Niger Wives: Free

Visit the following link and click on an applicable permit category for getting fees details: Link

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

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• ECOWAS Residence Card: 48 hours
  
• Expatriate Residence Permit: 5 working days
  
• Government Officials (GOs): 5 working days
  
• Accredited Diplomats: 10 working days
  
• Residence Permit for staff of INGO and NGO: 10 working days
  
• Special Immigrant Status and Niger Wives: 5 working days
  

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.gIn the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

• Applicants are advised to read out the instructions listed on the screen before clicking “Start Application” button.
• Applicants can enquire the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Nigerian Immigration Services for contact and address details of a diplomatic mission in his/her country of nationality.
• Please ensure that all information provided on your application is correct before you proceed to payment. Your application cannot be edited once payment is initiated. Nis will not refund applicant for a wrong order / payment.

• Visitor’s name
• Email ID
• Address details
• Mobile number
• Birth details
• Applicant particulars
• Passport number and Nationality
• Other passport particulars
• Reason and period of the visit
• Permit receiving mission
• Address and contact details
• Employer details and work description
• Details of latest visits and stays
• Banking particulars

• It is essential for a non-Nigerian to obtain and possess Residence permit if he/she needs to visit and stay inside the Nigerian Republic for the purpose of Education, Employment and other stipulated reasons.
  

Enter other informations which might help.

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

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