The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is launching a fully digital system for its Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), ending the use of paper forms from August 1 in a landmark shift aimed at streamlining immigration processes for expatriates living and working in Nigeria.
Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller-General of Immigration, says the digital rollout underscores NIS’s commitment to efficient service delivery and is part of broader government reforms to modernise public sector services.
From August 1, NIS will discontinue all paper-based submissions, effectively shifting CERPAC processing to the digital-only portal. Applicants who have paid for physical forms but are yet to submit them must do so on or before July 31, or risk forfeiting both their application status and payments, according to the government agency.
The new online platform will allow individuals and corporate organisations to submit CERPAC applications digitally, ACI Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer, says in a statement issued Wednesday.
From August 1, NIS will discontinue all paper-based submissions, effectively shifting CERPAC processing to the digital-only portal. Applicants who have paid for physical forms but are yet to submit them must do so on or before July 31, or risk forfeiting both their application status and payments, according to the government agency.
“Any CERPAC form not submitted after the deadline will be rendered void and invalid,” the immigration service warns.
The CERPAC is a statutory permit issued to expatriates residing in Nigeria, valid for up to two years. It also functions as an official identification card for foreign nationals.
The digital reform follows recent NIS initiatives such as the contactless passport renewal system for Nigerians abroad, launched in late 2024 across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, says the migration to digital platforms is geared towards reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and eliminating opportunities for corruption, in line with the Federal Government’s reform agenda.
The move also supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s digital economy policy, which aims to improve transparency, cut red tape, and deliver more citizen-centric public services through technology.
The NIS urges all companies and individuals managing expatriate compliance to ensure the completion and submission of all pending CERPAC applications ahead of the July 31 deadline to avoid disruptions.
“The new process is designed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and the overall user experience,” Akinlabi adds.
The CERPAC upgrade marks a critical step in the digital transformation of Nigeria’s immigration system, signalling the country’s readiness to align with global standards in expatriate administration and public sector service delivery.
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