Category: Updates

27 Nov 2023
Expatriate Quota Filings
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Immigration Law Update: Schedule of Penalties for late filing of Expatriate Quota Monthly Returns in Nigeria

The Federal Ministry of Interior has issued a notice to all companies that effective from December 2023, a penalty fee will be implemented for late filing of Expatriate Quota Monthly Returns. Filings are to be submitted via the eCITIBIZ portal.

The schedule of penalties for late filing is as follows:

1. Companies that fail to submit their quota monthly returns within the first 10 days of the following month will be liable to pay N100,000 as penalties.

2. Companies that fail to submit their quota monthly returns within 20 days of the following month will be liable to pay N150,000 as penalties.

3. Companies that fail to submit their quota monthly returns within 25 days of the following month will be liable to pay N200,000 as penalties.

05 Apr 2023
Changes introduced to the Immigration Act 2015 by the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022
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Update: Changes Introduced to the Immigration Act 2015 by the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022

The Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 introduced amendments to the provisions of various legislation including the Immigration Act 2015. The amendments introduced to the Immigration Act 2015 can be summarised as follows:

  1. Timeframe of issuance of entry visas into Nigeria: 

    Entry visas to Nigeria shall be issued or rejected with reason within 48 hours of receipt of valid applications.

  2. Availability of information on visa application requirements, procedure and timeframe: 

    The Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 introduced a subsection to Section 20 of the Immigration Act 2015 requiring the publication of a comprehensive and up-to-date list of requirements, conditions and procedures for obtaining visa on arrival as well as all other entry visas, including the estimated timeframe, on all immigration-related websites, Embassies and High Commissions, and all Nigerian ports of entry.

  3. Consent of Comptroller-General of Immigration: 

    By virtue of the Act, the consent of the Comptroller-General of Immigration is needed for a foreigner to practise a profession or establish or take over any trade or business or register or take over any limited liability company.

  4. Notice of change in particulars relating to business permits: 

    Notice of change in particulars relating to business permits shall be given to the Comptroller-General of Immigration.

  5. Use of electronic systems for filing: 

    The Immigration Service can establish and use any system or accredit an established system, using any means of electronic communication to facilitate the automated filing of any document, information or returns.In addition to this, the Service has the power to make regulations relating to the standards of operation, accessibility, technical requirements, service quality and fees for the use of the system. The Service can also declare any system established or accredited by it to be an acceptable mechanism for filling any document, information or return instead of any other requirement stipulated in any legislation relating to the filling of that document, information or return.

 

For more information and inquiries, email us at inq@grfdalleyandpartners.com

11 Feb 2022
Updated Guidelines on the Administration of Expatriate Quota and Other Business Instruments
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Updated Guidelines on the Administration of Expatriate Quota and Other Business Instruments

The Ministry of Interior recently issued a Public Notice concerning the updated Guidelines on the Administration of Expatriate Quota and Other Business Instruments. These Guidelines came into effect on January 24, 2022.

The Minister of Interior is to examine all Expatriate Quota Positions on “Permanent Until Reviewed” status. This is to enable the Ministry carry out an assessment of the length of time such instruments have been held and the continued eligibility of holders of such instruments.

All companies and organisations granted Expatriate Quota Positions on “Permanent Until Reviewed” status are required to submit copies of their letters of approval to the Ministry of Interior by February 28, 2022. Failure to submit before the deadline would result in such instruments being cancelled.

Companies and organisations are required to submit Monthly Returns on the utilisation of all approved Expatriate Quota Positions and such submission shall henceforth be made via the Ministry of Interior’s designated online channel (http://www.ecitibiz.interior.gov.ng/). Such companies and organisations are required to ensure that their Expatriates and Nigerian Understudies obtain a National Identification Number (NIN).

Companies and organisations are further required to forward a letter introducing their company representatives to the Ministry of Interior.

 

For more information and inquiries, email us at inq@grfdalleyandpartners.com

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