Nigeria Immigration Service

What Nigeria Immigration Service does

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is a federal government agency founded in 1963 and headquartered in Abuja, operating under the Federal Ministry of Interior as the statutory authority for immigration control, border management, passport issuance, visa administration, and expatriate residence permitting in Nigeria. The agency serves three primary constituencies: Nigerian citizens seeking passports and travel documents, foreign nationals requiring visas and residence permits, and expatriate workers and their employers managing CERPAC and Temporary Work Permit compliance. It also delivers border security and counter-trafficking outcomes in coordination with sister agencies.

NIS operates a portfolio of digital platforms including passport.immigration.gov.ng for passport applications, visa.immigration.gov.ng and evisa.immigration.gov.ng for visa processing, e-CERPAC for expatriate residence permits, enbic.immigration.gov.ng for ECOWAS biometric identity cards, lecard.immigration.gov.ng for landing and exit cards, and the NIS Mobile app for contactless diaspora passport applications. Underlying infrastructure includes the MIDAS (Migration Information and Data Analysis System), biometric capture and verification systems, ICAO Public Key Directory integration for cryptographic passport verification, a Centralized Passport Personalization Center, and CCTV surveillance at border posts.

The agency's revenue mechanics combine government appropriations with statutory fee revenue from one-time charges on passport issuance, visa applications (including the electronic visa channel), CERPAC permits, Temporary Work Permits, Emergency Travel Certificates, and visa overstay penalties. Distribution relies on official online portals (24/7 globally), passport offices for biometric enrollment, Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad, and a multi-channel contact center. Service delivery is governed by the Immigration Act 2015 and the National Migration Policy framework, with operational programs including the Catch Them Young sensitization initiative, an Expired Visa Amnesty window, and inter-agency workshops with the Nigeria Police Force, EFCC, NAPTIP, NCAA, and Customs Service.

Name

Nigeria Immigration Service

Legal name

Nigeria Immigration Service

Website

https://immigration.gov.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Nigeria Immigration Service is a Nigerian federal government agency delivering passport issuance, visa administration, expatriate residence permits, and border security through a portfolio of digital platforms serving citizens, foreign nationals, and expatriate employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immigration and Border Management Services

NAICS

National Security and International Affairs (928), Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs (92612)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111), Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Immigration, Citizenship & Border Administration (Civil) (BPAIAAAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Customs, Immigration & Border Processing Services (TLAHAEAF), Customs Clearance & Border Trade Facilitation (BPAIADAF), Global Mobility & Cross-Border Tax/Immigration Advisory (THACAKAG)

Keywords

• Immigration services
• Passport issuance
• Visa administration
• Border management
• Expatriate residence permits

Headquarters

HQ city

Abuja

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Passport Issuance Fees: Fees collected from Nigerian citizens for passport application, processing, and issuance. Applications submitted online at passport.immigration.gov.ng with biometric enrollment at passport offices.
2. Visa Application and Processing Fees: Fees charged to foreign nationals for visa applications including embassy visa applications at visa.immigration.gov.ng and electronic visa applications at evisa.immigration.gov.ng.
3. CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card): Fees for residence permits and alien cards required for foreign nationals residing and working in Nigeria beyond 56 days, renewable annually.
4. Temporary Work Permit (TWP): Permit fees for foreign nationals requiring temporary work authorization in Nigeria.
5. Emergency Travel Certificate: Fees for emergency travel certificates issued to citizens who have lost or had passports stolen, available within 72 hours.
6. Visa Penalty Fees: Penalty fees collected from visa overstayers under Nigeria's Visa Policy 2025. Investigation ongoing regarding alleged collection of these penalties outside approved procedures.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Nigeria Immigration Service is a federal government agency that administers all immigration and border management functions in Nigeria. It issues Nigerian passports, processes visas and electronic visas for foreign nationals, issues Combined Expatriate Residence Permits and Aliens Cards (CERPAC) for foreign workers, and enforces border control through the MIDAS digital border management system. The agency also issues the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), Landing and Exit Cards for all travelers, and conducts enforcement against irregular migration, human trafficking, and smuggling of migrants.

Product overview

Nigeria Immigration Service operates a multi-platform digital immigration system comprising core service portals and supporting digital tools. The main platforms include passport.immigration.gov.ng for passport services, visa.immigration.gov.ng for embassy visa applications, and evisa.immigration.gov.ng for electronic visa processing. Supporting services include CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) with its e-CERPAC digital variant, the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), Landing and Exit Cards, Citizenship and Business (C&B) platform, and Temporary Work Permit (TWP) system. Additional offerings include the Emergency Travel Certificate for urgent travel needs, Convention Travel Document, and NIS Mobile for contactless biometric passport applications. The service also employs MIDAS (Migration Information and Data Analysis System) and e-Border solutions for enhanced border governance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NIS MOBILE: Contactless Biometric Passport Application System for Nigerians in the diaspora
• e-Visa
• CERPAC
• ENBIC
• e-CERPAC

Products and services

• Passport Services Online passport application, renewal, and payment platform enabling Nigerian citizens to obtain or renew passports with biometric enrollment at designated passport offices.
• Nigeria Visa Visa application platform for various visa categories including tourism, business, and study visas tailored to specific travel needs.
• e-Visa (Electronic Visa) Electronic visa application system enabling foreign nationals to apply for Nigerian visas online with automated processing and approval workflow.
• Landing and Exit Cards Mandatory digital travel documents required of all passengers entering or departing Nigeria, serving as critical instruments for immigration control and border management.
• ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) Biometric identity card for ECOWAS citizens issued by Nigeria Immigration Service to promote regional security and trade.
• CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) Essential immigration document issued to foreign nationals residing and working in Nigeria, serving as both residence permit and identification card valid for up to one year and renewable.
• e-CERPAC Digital version of CERPAC enabling fully online application process for expatriate residence permits and alien cards, with rollout date August 1, 2025.
• Temporary Work Permit (TWP) Permit system for foreign nationals seeking temporary work authorization in Nigeria.
• Convention Travel Document Travel document issued under international conventions for refugees, stateless persons, and other special categories.
• Emergency Travel Certificate Emergency travel document available within 72 hours for lost or stolen passports, enabling travelers to continue their journey.
• NIS Mobile (Contactless Biometric Passport Application) Mobile application system enabling Nigerians abroad to apply for biometric passports using contactless processes with secure OTP verification.
• Citizenship and Business (C&B) Platform for citizenship and business-related immigration services and applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• ICAO PKD integration enables seamless passport verification across all member state border control systems globally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• Italian National PolicemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026CGI KN Nandap met with Head of Italian National Police Prefect Vittorio Pisani in Rome. Discussions focused on capacity building in specialized areas and establishing joint operational cooperation framework to address border security and irregular migration challenges.
• Italy Ministry of InteriormajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2026Joint organizer with Egypt of ITEPA2 International Training Center conference. 22 African countries participated in exchanging best practices on migration policies and operational outcomes. CGI delivered presentation on Nigeria's capacity-building framework.
• German EmbassymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2025German Ambassador Annett Günther visited NIS headquarters to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Discussions centered on renewed partnership in migrant identification and management under existing MoU. Ambassador commended NIS's e-Visa system and transformation efforts. CGI KN Nandap appreciated reception during her working visit to Germany on advanced border security.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2025NIS and IOM Nigeria have a long-standing strategic partnership for migration management and border governance. Joint initiatives include MIDAS deployment, e-Border solutions, operational capacity enhancement, and policy frameworks such as the National Border Management Strategy. IOM provides technical support, capacity building, and donor coordination for NIS reforms. Chief of MissionDimanche Sharon leads engagement with high-level strategic meetings.
• Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company LimitedsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 October 2025Working visit by Shell delegation led by HR Manager Beth Adedeji focused on strengthening existing collaboration and appreciating ongoing NIS reforms. Discussions on promoting transparency, efficiency, and accountability in managing foreign employment in Nigeria.
• Chevron Nigeria LimitedsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 July 2025Delegation led by GM Policy, Government and Public Affairs Mr. Oduselu Olusoga visited NIS to reinforce existing partnership. Discussions on enhancing synergy in expatriate operations facilitation and immigration compliance.
• Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 May 2025Joint implementation of e-Visa system and automated landing/exit card with NCAA. Stakeholder sensitization engagements held to ensure airlines verify visas before boarding per 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy. NCAA DG Chris Najomo described the e-Visa as aligned with ICAO Annex 9 on Facilitation.
• United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Co-organized Regional Maritime Security Workshop with NIS focused on enhancing maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea through technology adoption and capacity development. Field visit to seaport provided operational insights.
• National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 November 2024DG NAPTIP Binta Adamu Bello visited NIS to strengthen existing relationship and seek more collaboration on tackling Trafficking In Persons (TIP). CGI Nandap reiterated commitment through e-solutions and intelligence/data sharing.
• German Federal PolicemajorTechnology or IntegrationPartnership focused on migrant identification and management under existing MoU. German Federal Police donated 2 operational vehicles in December 2024 and 40 walkie-talkie radios to strengthen NIS operational capacity. Ambassador Annett Günther and German delegation engage regularly with NIS leadership on continued cooperation and border security collaboration.
• Dutch GovernmentsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Dutch government resulted in donation of Edison Software License Keys and Passport Examination Program Manual (PEPM III) App to enhance migration management capabilities.
• British High CommissionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs NIS-IOM Projects donor, the British High Commission provides funding and support for migration management initiatives. Goodwill messages at NIS-IOM engagement meetings emphasize leveraging collaboration for effective migration management.
• Consulate of GermanysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulate of Germany participates as donor in NIS-IOM Projects, supporting migration management and border governance initiatives.
• Consulate of Kingdom of the NetherlandssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulate of Kingdom of the Netherlands supports NIS-IOM Projects as donor partner for migration management capacity building.
• Nigeria Customs Service, EFCC, NFIU, DSSmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborative workshop in Lagos aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing through inter-agency cooperation. Focus on border areas for vigilance and compliance, with recent operations uncovering large cash movements including over $6 million at Lagos airport.
• Rabat Process (Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIS delegation led by DCG ICT and Cybersecurity participated in thematic meeting on Youth, Education and Innovation driving future of migration. Forum convenes stakeholders from Central, West, and North Africa plus Europe.
• Ministry of InteriorcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerParent ministry overseeing NIS operations. Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo leads reform initiatives including Expatriate Quota Reform, New Visa Regime, and Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return Programme. Permanent Secretary Dr. Magdalene Ajani provides administrative oversight.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): U.S. federal agency administering lawful immigration, including visa processing, naturalization, and border management adjudication. Directly comparable to NIS in mandate scope — passport-adjacent services, work permits, asylum/refugee processing — though operating at materially larger scale and budget.
• UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): Branch of the UK Home Office handling visas, settlement, and citizenship. Comparable to NIS in delivering e-visa platforms, biometric enrollment, and consular coordination; differs as a unit within a broader interior ministry rather than a standalone service.
• Canada Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC): Canadian federal department administering immigration policy, visa processing, and citizenship. Comparable in running a digitalized visa platform, biometrics collection, and global processing network, though with a much broader refugee and resettlement mandate.
• South Africa Department of Home Affairs — Immigration Services: South African immigration directorate issuing visas, permits, and identity documents through a digital permit system (VFS). Comparable product surface to NIS but embedded in a wider civic-services department that also handles births, deaths, and citizenship.
• Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA): Statutory board managing immigration, citizenship, and border checkpoint operations for Singapore. Highly relevant benchmark for NIS given its leadership in biometric border processing, MyICA digital platform, and integrated immigration-plus-citizen-services model.
• India Bureau of Immigration (BoI): Indian government body under the Ministry of Home Affairs overseeing immigration, foreigner's registration, and border control. Comparable in operating a large e-visa regime, immigration tracking systems, and a diaspora-scale passport issuance operation.
• Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF): German federal agency executing immigration, asylum, and integration policy and already a strategic partner of NIS via the German Embassy and Federal Police. Comparable in policy/operational scope and a donor-counterparty to NIS modernization programs.

Direct peers

• Ghana Immigration Service: Statutory body under Ghana's Ministry of the Interior responsible for migration management, border control, and issuance of residence/work permits. Closest functional peer to NIS given shared ECOWAS framework, comparable headcount, near-identical product set (passports, visas, ECOWAS biometric card, residence permits), and overlapping donor ecosystem.
• Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services: Kenyan state agency under the Interior Ministry handling passports, visas, work permits, and border control. Direct peer in East Africa operating an e-visa platform and biometric border infrastructure, often referenced together with NIS as a benchmark African immigration service.

Others

• International Organization for Migration (IOM): UN-related intergovernmental organization providing migration management support, MIDAS deployment, and donor coordination to NIS. Not a competitor but a key strategic ally and ecosystem participant whose engagement materially shapes NIS capability and funding.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nigimmigration
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@nigimmigration?si=z5HolCjPNoRntDAW
• Facebookfacebook.com/nigimmigration
• Instagraminstagram.com/nigimmigration
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nigeria-immigration-service-nis-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nigeria Immigration Service