The Comptroller General of Immigration Service (CGIS), Mr. Muhammad Babandede, has directed the migration of applications for Temporary Work Permit (TWP) from manual to an email-based system, with effect from Monday, 8 June 2020.

The directive is in line with the ongoing efforts to digitize the entire work process of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Organizations are now required to submit their TWP applications to twp@immigration.gov.ng for review and approval. Upon approval, the TWP cables will be forwarded to the organization’s email address.

Comments

The decision to migrate the process of obtaining TWPs to an email-based system is a welcome development. This will improve the timeline for issuance of TWPs, which currently ranges from 5 to 7 working days.

Meanwhile, it is unclear if the CGIS’ directive will result in resumption of the processing of TWP-related applications, such as extension of stay for expatriates currently in Nigeria on TWP visas, which was suspended on 20 March 2020 as part of measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 in the country. It is our expectation that the NIS will provide further clarifications on this in due course.

For further enquiries, please contact;

Wole Obayomi
ng-fmtaxenquiries@ng.kpmg.com