Nigeria's Retirement Visa (N5B) is a Permanent Residence Visa that allows foreign nationals aged 65 and above who have retired abroad to relocate to and reside in Nigeria. Administered by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), it grants renewable residence without the right to engage in any form of employment. There is no published minimum income figure — applicants must satisfy a consular officer that they have sufficient retirement income and imported funds to support themselves indefinitely.
Note on the 2025 reforms: the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025 took effect on 1 May 2025 (announced 11 April 2025), and the new e-Visa platform covers only short-visit visas. The N5B retirement visa and all permanent-residence visas continue to be issued through Nigerian embassies and consulates, not the e-Visa portal.
The visa is valid for 90 days for initial entry into Nigeria. Upon arrival, holders obtain a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), which is valid for 2 years and infinitely renewable. Since 1 August 2025, CERPAC is processed and issued electronically through e-CERPAC, which became the exclusive digital channel for CERPAC applications (physical forms discontinued). The CERPAC fee is USD 2,000 for the standard expatriate category (USD 600 for students; gratis for foreigners married to Nigerian citizens). Renewal requires updated financial statements, a valid passport, and continued medical insurance coverage. Initial visa processing typically takes 3-5 working days.
Eligible dependants may apply under the N6 series: N6A for spouses, N6B for minor children under 18, N6C for adult children (18 and above), and N6D for aged parents (65 and above). Dependant visas are 2-year renewable permits tied to the principal holder's status. Dependant visa holders other than spouses may not work in Nigeria without a separate work visa. Proof of relationship, valid passport, medical clearance, and police clearance are required for each dependant.
Nigeria taxes residents on worldwide income under the Personal Income Tax Act. Individuals resident in Nigeria for 183 days or more in a 12-month period are considered tax residents. Pension income may be subject to Nigerian tax depending on the source and any applicable double taxation agreements.
The application begins online via the NIS portal. Applicants complete the form, upload documents, and pay the applicable visa fee, then submit the application to a Nigerian consular mission (Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate) in their country of residence. Because the e-Visa platform covers short-visit visas only, the N5B can be obtained solely through consular missions abroad and cannot be applied for from within Nigeria. Upon approval, the holder has 90 days to enter Nigeria. After arrival, the residence-permit stage is handled digitally through e-CERPAC, including biometric data capture at a designated NIS office.