Introduction
A local company which intends to employ foreigners in Nigeria is required to assume immigration formalities as well as certain responsibilities for such employees. This entails obtaining several approvals and permits required by the Nigeria Immigration Service (“NIS”). This article briefly highlights these immigration requirements and provides a general guide to companies desirous of employing foreigners in Nigeria.
Expatriate Quota Approval (“EQA”)
The EQA is an approval by the Minister of Interior, permitting a Nigerian company to employ a foreign employee. EQAs are issued to companies that have met the criteria for engaging the services of expatriates on a long term basis.
In order for an expatriate to work in Nigeria, the company employing the expatriate would need to be incorporated in Nigeria. Furthermore, any company having foreign shareholders is required to obtain a business permit before carrying on business in Nigeria. A Business Permit is the authorisation needed for the start and operation of a business by a foreigner either as an individually owned company or a subsidiary of a foreign company in Nigeria.