Section 37: Residence permit.

(1)
A foreign national may, subject to the provision of section 20 of this Act, enter Nigeria for the purpose of residence on the production of a residence visa with his other travel documents, signed by or on behalf of the Comptroller-General of lmmigration and issued subject to such conditions as may be endorsed thereon and if the entry is for any tour of service, such foreign national shall on production of any evidence which an immigration officer may reasonably require, be deemed to be in possession of a residence permit.
(2) The Comptroller-General of Immigration may grant residence permit for a period not exceeding two years, subject to renewal.
(3)
A person, not a citizen of Nigeria, desirous of entering Nigeria for the purpose of residence shall, unless exempted under this Act, show evidence of immigration responsibility or any other security on his behalf, and shall supply such information as the Comptroller-General of lmmigration may reasonably require, and if the Comptroller-General of Immigration is satisfied he may issue a residence permit accordingly.
(4)
The residence permit issued under sub-section (2) of this Section shall be in such form as may be prescribed and may be issued by endorsement on any travel document or otherwise as the Comptroller-General of immigration may direct.
(5) The Comptroller-General of lmmigration may endorse on a residence permit such conditions not inconsistent with this Act as he thinks fit, and may replace any valid permit issued or deemed to have been issued.
(6) A person who has been lawfully allowed entry into Nigeria, may upon application to the Comptroller-General of Immigration in the prescribed manner, be issued with a resident permit.
(7) The failure by any person to comply with the requirements of this section or of any condition imposed shall be an offence, and such person may, if the Minister thinks fit, be required to leave Nigeria; and any bond may be entreated at suit of the Comptroller-General of lmmigration.
(8) The Comptroller-General of Immigration Service may authorise the issuance of temporary work permit outside quota provision which may be issued by endorsement on any travel document or otherwise as the Comptroller- General may direct.
(9) The Comptroller-General of Immigration may authorise the issuance of Short Visit Visas to foreign nationals desirous of coming to Nigeria on short visit not exceeding a period of three months :
Provided that the visa shall not be renewed and provided further that the recipient shall not engage in any form of paid employment.
(10)
The Comptroller-General of Immigration may authorise the issuance of Temporary Residence Visas to foreign nationals desirous of taking up employment for a period not less than three months, and not exceeding two years.
(11)
The Comptroller-General of lmmigration may authorise the issuance of Permanent Residence Visas to foreign nationals who are married to Nigerians, or who are investors who have imported an annual minimum threshold of capital over a period of time as may be specified from time to time in the National Visa Policy or any other such policy:
Provided that the Residence Permit can be withdrawn whenever the investor withdraws his investment or fails to comply with any other condition that may have been prescribed for the issuance of the Residence permit.
(12) The Minister may, upon application by a Nigerian citizen by birth, who had earlier renounced his nationality, approve that Permanent Residence Permit be issued to him.
(13)
The provisions of this section relating to foreign nationals requiring visas, work permits and residence permits shall not apply to nationals of Member States of the Economic Community of West African States who are exempted from requiring entry visas, and are allowed to reside, work and undertake commercial and industrial activities within Nigeria:
Provided that such citizens shall register with the Service as nationals of the Economic Community of West African States.