Please note
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). This is general information — apply and check requirements only through official NIS channels (immigration.gov.ng). Visa rules, fees and processes change and depend on your nationality and category — confirm current requirements on the official portal. For Nigerian passports, see our dedicated passport guide.
What the STR visa is
The STR (Subject to Regularization) visa is the entry visa for foreigners coming to take up employment and reside in Nigeria. It’s obtained from a Nigerian mission before arrival.
Why it exists
Short-visit visas (e-Visa/VOA) can’t be used to work. The STR is the correct route so your stay can be regularized into residence once you arrive.
How it works
- Your Nigerian employer secures the necessary approvals (including expatriate quota) and issues supporting documents.
- You apply for the STR visa at a Nigerian embassy/mission before travelling.
- You enter Nigeria on the STR visa.
Then CERPAC
After arrival, you must apply for a CERPAC residence permit within the specified timeline (often 90 days), complete biometrics/medicals, and receive the permit (valid up to 2 years, renewable). The newer e-CERPAC can be arranged before arrival.
Employer’s role
Your employer is central — they hold the expatriate quota and provide the documentation the STR and CERPAC require.
Tips
- Get the STR before arrival — don’t try to work on a visit visa.
- Apply for CERPAC on time after entry.
- Coordinate closely with your employer.
The STR visa explained
STR stands for “Subject to Regularization.” It's the entry visa a foreign national uses to come to Nigeria to take up long-term employment — a single-entry visa valid for about 90 days, during which the holder must regularize their stay by obtaining a residence/work permit. The name says it all: entry is granted on condition that the expatriate then converts to full residence status. It's the bridge between being hired from abroad and living/working legally in Nigeria.
Getting an STR (quota first)
An STR can't be applied for in isolation — it sits in a sequence. First, the employer must obtain an Expatriate Quota and issue an acceptance/sponsorship letter accepting Immigration Responsibility for the expatriate. Only then does the foreign national apply for the STR visa at the Nigerian embassy/high commission in their country, submitting the quota approval, appointment letter, credentials, company documents and the required forms. The employer's sponsorship is central — the STR is fundamentally an employer-backed visa.
After entry: regularize to CERPAC
Entering Nigeria on the STR is not the finish line — it's the start of the 90-day clock to regularize. Within that window the expatriate obtains CERPAC (the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card), their long-term residence and work authorization. Under the newer e-CERPAC process, this can even be arranged before arrival, removing the post-arrival scramble. The expatriate may work only for the sponsoring employer; a change of employer requires a fresh quota and process.
Frequently asked questions
What is the STR visa?
The Subject to Regularization visa — the entry visa for foreigners coming to work and reside in Nigeria, obtained from a Nigerian mission before arrival.
Why can’t I work on a tourist or business visa?
Short-visit visas can’t be used to work or be converted to residence inside Nigeria; the STR visa is the correct route for employment.
What do I do after entering on an STR visa?
Apply for a CERPAC residence permit within the specified timeline (often 90 days), complete biometrics/medicals and receive the permit.
What is my employer’s role?
Your Nigerian employer secures approvals including the expatriate quota and provides the supporting documents the STR and CERPAC require.
Is there a faster option?
The newer e-CERPAC can be processed before arrival, so you enter already authorised, reducing post-arrival steps.
What is an STR visa?
STR means 'Subject to Regularization' — a single-entry visa (valid about 90 days) that a foreign national uses to enter Nigeria to take up long-term employment, on condition that they then regularize their stay by obtaining a CERPAC residence/work permit.
How long is an STR visa valid?
It's a single-entry visa valid for about 90 days, during which the holder must regularize their status by obtaining CERPAC. It's an entry visa, not a long-term permit in itself.
Do I need an expatriate quota before an STR visa?
Yes. The employer must first obtain an Expatriate Quota and issue a sponsorship/acceptance-of-Immigration-Responsibility letter. Only then can the foreign national apply for the STR visa — it's an employer-backed visa.
Where do I apply for an STR visa?
At the Nigerian embassy or high commission in your country of residence, submitting the quota approval, appointment letter, your credentials, the company's documents and the required forms.
What happens after I enter Nigeria on an STR visa?
You have about 90 days to regularize by obtaining CERPAC, your long-term residence and work permit (the newer e-CERPAC can be arranged before arrival). You may work only for the sponsoring employer; changing employer needs a fresh quota.
Related immigration guides
CERPAC · Expatriate quota · Visa types · All immigration guides · e-Visa
Reviewed: 22 Sept 2026 · Author: Belmadeng Editorial. Independent guide, not affiliated with the NIS. Visa rules, fees and processes change and depend on nationality/category — always confirm on the official NIS portal.