TEMPORARY WORK PERMIT VISA (REDUCTION OF TERM)
Executive Summary
In a bid to crack down on the abuse of the Temporary Work Permit (‘TWP’) visa, the
Nigeria Immigration Service has reduced the term of the TWP from 3 months depending
on the type of service the expatriate employee intends to carry out in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Immigration Service has begun to exercise their discretion with regards to
the length of the validity of the Temporary Work Permit (‘TWP’) visa. In the past, the TWP
visa was granted for a period of 3 months but with the regime change at the Nigeria
Immigration Service (‘NIS’) and in other to curtail the abuse of the TWP, the NIS has
recently issued TWP visas valid for 1 -2 months depending on the type of specialized
service the expatriate employee will provide in the country. The reduction in the visa
term is due to the abuse of the TWP visa application.
What is a Temporary Work Permit (T.W.P)?
Companies that intend to engage the services of expatriates for short period
assignments and require the expatriates to reside in Nigeria during the assignment are
required to apply to the Comptroller – General for visa/entry permits for such
expatriates.
The application is submitted at the Nigerian consul or embassy where the expatriate
resides and must be referred to the Comptroller – General of Immigration for approval.
The temporary assignments which are eligible for such approval include:
Erection/installation work;
Feasability studies;
Repairs of machinery/equipment;
Auditing and accounts;
Research work and such other assignments as may fall into this category.
What are the documents required for the Temporary Work Permit?
The company would make an application for a TWP visa to the Consul/ embassy where
the expatriate resides. The approval of the Comptroller General would be sought and if
granted a cablegram is sent to the Consul/ embassy from where it would be issued. The
application would be accompanied with:
IMMIGRATION UPDATE- 25th September 2013
a. Expatriate’s International passport with at least 6 months validity,
b. Confirmed airline ticket,
c. Copy of expatriate resume,
d. Cablegram from Comptroller General,
e. Appropriate visa fees paid.
In the event you have any questions with regards to the above, please feel free to send
an email to enquiries@bloomfeiled-law.com
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