Eligibility

The STR-related visas are recommended for Expatriates and their dependants, Technical officials of Diplomatic Missions in Nigeria, Foreign Students, Research Fellows, Clerics and their dependants, Expatriate Staff of NGOs/INGOs and their dependants, Expatriate Government Officials (GOs) and their dependants, Free Zone Expatriates and their dependants, or other highly skilled foreign workers or students who have long-term engagement or renewable contracts in Nigeria. These residence permits are available to most passport holders who fullfil the requirements.

 

Basic Requirements

• Passport valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 blank pages.
• Evidence of Sufficient Funds / Financial Support. 
• Evidence of Hotel Reservation / Host Accomodation in Nigeria. 
• Approval from Nigeria's Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI).


• Printout of completed Online Visa Application form.
• Printout of the Online Payment Acknowledgement slip. 
• Two (2) recent Passport sized (35/40mm) Photograph.

 

Extra Requirements

Under the new Nigeria Visa Policy 2020, See description and additional requirements for STR-related Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) classes below.

 

R2A : Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Work Permit. Two (2) years visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R2A application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Expatriate Quota Approval. 
• Employment offer/contract terms to the applicant. 
• Letter/note of acceptance of employment by the applicant. 
• Educational Qualification and Curriculum Vitae.
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R2B : Spouse of Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Dependent on Principal Expatriate Visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R2B application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Marriage Certificate of Spouse. 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R2C : Minor Dependant of Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R2C application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R2D : Adult Dependant of Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R2D application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R2E : Aged Dependant of Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R2E application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

---

 

R3A : Free Zone Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Work Permit. Two (2) years visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R3A application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Free Zone Authority Letter. 
• Employment offer/contract terms to the applicant. 
• Letter/note of acceptance of employment by the applicant. 
• Educational Qualification and Curriculum Vitae.
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R3B : Spouse of Free Zone Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Dependent on Principal Expatriate Visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R3B application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Marriage Certificate of Spouse. 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R3C : Minor Dependant of Free Zone Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R3C application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R3D : Adult Dependant of Free Zone Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R3D application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R3E : Aged Dependant of Free Zone Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R3E application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

---

 

R4A : Government Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Work Permit. Two (2) years visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Employment Letter by the relevant Government Department
  (Signed and Stamped/Sealed by the highest official of that department).  
• Employment offer/contract terms to the applicant. 
• Letter/note of acceptance of employment by the applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R4B : Spouse of Government Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Dependent on Principal Expatriate Visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R4B application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Marriage Certificate of Spouse. 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R4C : Minor Dependant of Government Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to principal visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R4C application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R4D : Adult Dependant of Government Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to principal visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R4D application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R4E : Aged Dependant of Government Expatriate Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to principal visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R4E application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

---

 

R5A : International NGO Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Work Permit. Two (2) years visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R5A application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities).
• MoU with Nigeria National PLanning Commission
  (and appropriate security clearance, if applicable).
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R5B : Spouse of International NGO Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Dependent on Principal Expatriate Visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R5B application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Marriage Certificate of Spouse. 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R5C : Minor Dependant of International NGO Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R5C application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R5D : Adult Dependant of International NGO Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R5D application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R5E : Aged Dependant of International NGO Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R5E application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

---

 

R6A : Cleric Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Work Permit. Two (2) years visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R6A application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities).
• Expatriate Quota.
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R6B : Spouse of Cleric Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Dependent on Principal Expatriate Visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R6B application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Marriage Certificate of Spouse. 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R6C : Minor Dependant of Cleric Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R6C application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R6D : Adult Dependant of Cleric Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R6D application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R6E : Aged Dependant of Cleric Employment Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Subject to Quota. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R6E application by the Employer to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Letter from the principal applicant. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

---

 

R7A : Student Visa

TRV Renewable Study Permit. Two (2) years visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R7A application by the Admitting Institution to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities).
• Admission Letter from an Accredited Educational Institution. 
• Proof of Payment of Required Minimum Tuition Fees.
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R7B : Spouse of Student Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Dependent on Principal Student Visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R7B application by the Institution to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Marriage Certificate of Spouse. 
• Copy of Spouse Residence Permit. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

---

 

R8A : Academic Exchange Programme (AEP) Visa

TRV Renewable Study Permit. Two (2) years visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R8A application by the Admitting Institution to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities).
• MoU with relevant MDA and Institutions. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

R8B : Spouse of AEP Visa

TRV Renewable Residence Permit. Dependent on Principal Student Visa. Obtainable only through the Nigerian Consular Missions or Visa Application Centers. 

Additional Requirements:

• Formal R8B application by the Institution to the CGI
  (Must indicate acceptance of Immigration Responsibilities). 
• Marriage Certificate of Spouse. 
• Copy of Spouse Residence Permit. 
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission or Visa Application Center.

 

---

 

STR Visa Procedure

Step 1: Decide on the Visa - Ensure that this category of visa is suitable for your purpose in Nigeria.
Step 2: Employer Applies for Approval - Employer/Company should apply for Visa Approval from the Comptroller General of Immigration in Nigeria. The application letter addressed to the CGI should contain the following:

• Name of contractor/employee
• Nationality 
• Passport number
• Purpose and duration of visit
• Consular Mission where Visa is to be issued
• Acceptance of Immigration Responsibility.

The following documents should be attached in support of the application:

• Company profile
• Certificate of Incorporation
• CAC 2 & 7
• Copy of Data page of the Contractor/Employee’s Passport
• Evidence of existing contract or purchase / importation of machinery or equipment
• Any other relevant document

Step 3: Gather Requirements - Get a copy of the Visa Approval Letter issued to your employer and prepare all other requirements.
Step 4: Apply Online - Complete the Nigerian Immigration Online Visa Application and print out the completed form. 
Step 5: Pay Online in the same aforementioned online application process and print out payment receipt.
Step 6: Affix 2 Passport sized Photographs (35/40mm) with white background with neither head covers nor face covers.
Step 7: Submit Application with the completed form and attached requirements to the Nigerian Mission or VAC.
Step 8: Visa Interview - There might be a scheduled interview depending on the visa type and/or if it is the first time you apply.

 

Important Information

Visa validity: Successful Applicant must enter Nigeria within 90 days from the date of issue.
Caution: This Visa is not valid for employment.
Visa Fees: New Fees Table
Processing Timeline: 2 – 5 working days from receipt of application.

 

Note: Under the new Nigerian Visa Policy 2020, The former STR Visa class is reflected mostly in the visa classes under the Temporary Residence Permit (TRV) category. The STR Visa is obtainable only through Nigerian Consular Missions around the world. Applicant may be invited to the Nigerian Embassy, High Commission, Consulate or Visa Application Center (VAC) for interview if necessary.