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Online, physical or both?
Start online
Open the NIS e-CERPAC requirements page and select the residence category that matches the applicant's actual purpose in Nigeria. Then create the e-CERPAC account and start the application with the passport number and the identity information shown in the travel document.
A physical step is required
The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Check the e-CERPAC account for approval and biometric instructions, then keep the issued residence-permit information with the passport and immigration records.
Find official offices/centres →If this specific process gets stuck
Use the Nigeria Immigration Service's official passport office/contact route and keep the application reference and payment evidence ready.
View agency guidance →Only authorised routes. We never present an unofficial agent, cybercafé or third-party payment page as an alternative unless the responsible agency authorises it.
Documents, details and prerequisites you need
This is the complete pre-start checklist from the verified guide. Each item below explains what it is for, where it enters the process and whether the official source actually specifies an original, copy or upload.
A passport and immigration status that support the chosen residence-permit category
- Why you need it
- Used to identify the applicant's current passport record or to support the passport transaction described in this guide.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 5: Check the e-CERPAC account for approval and biometric instructions, then keep the issued residence-permit information with the passport and immigration records.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
The category-specific evidence shown by NIS, such as employment/quota, student, dependant or spouse documentation
- Why you need it
- This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 3: Upload the category-specific immigration, employment, study, dependant or family evidence listed for that permit class.
- Original, copy or upload?
- A digital upload is explicitly part of step 3. Prepare a clear file that follows the portal's size/format rules.
A valid email address and contact information for the e-CERPAC account
- Why you need it
- Used for account access and/or official communication. Use an address you can open throughout the process.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 2: Create the e-CERPAC account and start the application with the passport number and the identity information shown in the travel document.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Funds for the official category-specific e-CERPAC payment
- Why you need it
- This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 1: Open the NIS e-CERPAC requirements page and select the residence category that matches the applicant's actual purpose in Nigeria.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow the process in order. Each step also shows what to have ready, what to check before continuing and what evidence to keep. Where the agency does not publish an extra requirement, this guide does not invent one.
Open the NIS e-CERPAC requirements page and select the residence category that matches the applicant's actual purpose in Nigeria.
- A passport and immigration status that support the chosen residence-permit category
- Funds for the official category-specific e-CERPAC payment
- The category-specific evidence shown by NIS, such as employment/quota, student, dependant or spouse documentation
Make sure the displayed record is the correct person/entity and that the information matches the evidence you are using.
Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.
Create the e-CERPAC account and start the application with the passport number and the identity information shown in the travel document.
- A valid email address and contact information for the e-CERPAC account
- The category-specific evidence shown by NIS, such as employment/quota, student, dependant or spouse documentation
- A passport and immigration status that support the chosen residence-permit category
Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.
Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.
Upload the category-specific immigration, employment, study, dependant or family evidence listed for that permit class.
- The category-specific evidence shown by NIS, such as employment/quota, student, dependant or spouse documentation
- A passport and immigration status that support the chosen residence-permit category
- Funds for the official category-specific e-CERPAC payment
Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.
Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.
Review the application, make the official payment through the e-CERPAC system and retain the payment/application reference.
- Funds for the official category-specific e-CERPAC payment
- A valid email address and contact information for the e-CERPAC account
Confirm the service, applicant/entity details and amount on the official payment screen before paying. Do not continue from an unsolicited payment link.
Keep the official receipt, payment reference or transaction ID.
Check the e-CERPAC account for approval and biometric instructions, then keep the issued residence-permit information with the passport and immigration records.
- A passport and immigration status that support the chosen residence-permit category
- A valid email address and contact information for the e-CERPAC account
- Funds for the official category-specific e-CERPAC payment
Confirm the correct office/centre, date or appointment instruction before travelling, and take the originals where the guide or agency explicitly requires them.
Keep the appointment, acknowledgement or reference you may need at the physical stage.
What exactly happens next?
Keep the application reference, payment receipt, appointment details and any acknowledgement generated by the NIS process.
Check the e-CERPAC account for approval and biometric instructions, then keep the issued residence-permit information with the passport and immigration records.
Processing depends on category eligibility, document review, payment and biometric requirements shown by the e-CERPAC system.
Use the Nigeria Immigration Service's official passport office/contact route and keep the application reference and payment evidence ready.
Quick answers about e-CERPAC application
Direct answers to the questions people commonly search for, using the same verified fee, requirements, route and timeline shown in this guide.
How much does e-CERPAC application cost in 2026?
Category-specific e-CERPAC fee — e-CERPAC charges depend on the residence category. Use the amount generated on the official NIS e-CERPAC portal and do not pay an unofficial account.
What do I need for e-CERPAC application?
The current verified checklist includes A passport and immigration status that support the chosen residence-permit category, The category-specific evidence shown by NIS, such as employment/quota, student, dependant or spouse documentation, and A valid email address and contact information for the e-CERPAC account. Open the requirements section below for the complete list and any service-specific evidence.
Can I do e-CERPAC application online?
Online + physical visit. Open the NIS e-CERPAC requirements page and select the residence category that matches the applicant's actual purpose in Nigeria. Then create the e-CERPAC account and start the application with the passport number and the identity information shown in the travel document. The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Check the e-CERPAC account for approval and biometric instructions, then keep the issued residence-permit information with the passport and immigration records.
How long does e-CERPAC application take?
Processing depends on category eligibility, document review, payment and biometric requirements shown by the e-CERPAC system.
Where do I start e-CERPAC application?
Open the NIS e-CERPAC requirements page and select the residence category that matches the applicant's actual purpose in Nigeria. Then create the e-CERPAC account and start the application with the passport number and the identity information shown in the travel document.
Important notes
- NIS states that CERPAC is required for many non-Nigerians staying in Nigeria beyond the short-visit period for work, business or long-term residence.
- The documents differ materially by residence category, so do not copy an employee checklist for a student, dependant or spouse application.
- A CERPAC is a residence/identity permit and is not identical to an entry visa.
Common questions
These answers are generated from the verified requirements, route, fee, timeline and official-source notes for this specific service.
What should I prepare before I start?
Prepare before you begin by gathering every item below. The detailed checklist above explains why each one is needed, where it is used, and whether the official source specifies an original, copy or upload.
- A passport and immigration status that support the chosen residence-permit category — Document
- The category-specific evidence shown by NIS, such as employment/quota, student, dependant or spouse documentation — Other requirement
- A valid email address and contact information for the e-CERPAC account — Document
- Funds for the official category-specific e-CERPAC payment — Payment / transaction evidence
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?
Online + physical visit. Open the NIS e-CERPAC requirements page and select the residence category that matches the applicant's actual purpose in Nigeria. Then create the e-CERPAC account and start the application with the passport number and the identity information shown in the travel document.
The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Check the e-CERPAC account for approval and biometric instructions, then keep the issued residence-permit information with the passport and immigration records.
How much does this service cost?
Category-specific e-CERPAC fee — e-CERPAC charges depend on the residence category. Use the amount generated on the official NIS e-CERPAC portal and do not pay an unofficial account.
Pay only through the responsible agency or the official payment channel linked in this guide.
How long should it take?
Processing depends on category eligibility, document review, payment and biometric requirements shown by the e-CERPAC system.
Processing can still take longer where identity checks, document corrections, payment confirmation or manual review are required.
What happens after I submit or complete the main step?
Keep the evidence for e-CERPAC application: Keep the application reference, payment receipt, appointment details and any acknowledgement generated by the NIS process.
Complete the final published step: Check the e-CERPAC account for approval and biometric instructions, then keep the issued residence-permit information with the passport and immigration records.
What should I do if the portal, payment or application gets stuck?
Use the Nigeria Immigration Service's official passport office/contact route and keep the application reference and payment evidence ready.
Keep any application number, receipt, acknowledgement, transaction reference or screenshot that can help the agency trace the request.
What should I be careful about?
- NIS states that CERPAC is required for many non-Nigerians staying in Nigeria beyond the short-visit period for work, business or long-term residence.
- The documents differ materially by residence category, so do not copy an employee checklist for a student, dependant or spouse application.
How do I verify that these instructions are current?
This guide was last checked on 2026-10-01. The official government or agency sources used to verify it are listed directly below this section.
Where an agency changes a fee, deadline or procedure, the official source takes priority over this independent guide.
Is MyNigeriaGuide the government website for this service?
No. MyNigeriaGuide is an independent information service. Applications, payments, approvals and final decisions remain with the responsible government agency.
Official sources
These are the government or agency pages used to verify this guide. Open them directly whenever you want to confirm the source.
See something outdated?
Correction reporting is checked only when you choose to report an issue, keeping normal guide loads lighter.