The Federal Ministry of Interior (FMI or the Ministry) on Monday, 24 January 2022 issued a Public Notice to implement additional Guidelines for administration of Expatriate Quota (EQ) and other matters relating to business residency in Nigeria. These Guidelines became effective on the same date, 24 January 2022.
Highlighted below are the key provisions of the Public Notice:
- Evaluation/ appraisal of continued eligibility for beneficiaries or holders of EQ positions granted on Permanent until Reviewed (PUR) status
The Ministry is conducting a comprehensive appraisal of EQ positions granted on PUR status since the inception of the programme, to determine continued eligibility for its holders. During the appraisal, consideration will be given to the length of time the instrument has been held and the extent of utilization of each facility.
To this end, companies granted EQ positions on PUR status by the Ministry are directed to submit copies of their certificates to the office of the Deputy Director, Enforcement, Investigation & Inspection of the Ministry between Monday, 24 January 2022 and Monday, 28 February 2022. EQ positions on PUR status not submitted by 28 February 2022 would be deemed to have lapsed and its validity withdrawn by the Ministry.
- Mandatory online submission of monthly EQ Returns
Effective 24 January 2022, manual submission of EQ returns at the Ministry is no longer allowed. Organisations with EQ positions are mandatorily required to submit their monthly EQ utilization returns online via www.ecitibiz.interior.gov.ng. The returns must contain the National Identity Number (NIN) of the expatriates and their Nigerian understudies.
Note: Section 16 of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act defines registrable persons (for assignment of NIN) to include Nigerian citizens, permanent residents and foreigners who are legally resident in the country for a period of 2 years or more. Below is the list of requirements for expatriates to obtain a NIN:
- International passport
- Residence permit (CERPAC form / card)
- Bank Verification Number (BVN)
- Requirement for formal introduction of consultants/ representatives to the Ministry by organizations
Effective from 24 January 2022, organizations holding EQ approvals and other certificates from the Ministry are required to formally write to introduce and submit details of their representative/ consultant to the Ministry through the Office of the Director, Citizenship and Business Department. The letter must contain the full name, position, official email address, official and alternative phone numbers (if any), mailing address, 2 recent passport photographs and official identity card of the consultant/ representatives.
These Guidelines are expected to enable the Ministry achieve better operational effectiveness towards its objective of successfully regulating expatriate employment and related business operations in Nigeria.
For further enquiries or for help with complying with any of these requirements, please send an email to clients@vi-m.com .