Pathway

Nigeria Residence for Retirees

Nigeria Residency

Updated October 8, 2026

Pathway overview

At a glance

If you are 65 or older and retired outside Nigeria, you can apply to live in Nigeria through the N5B retirement category. You need records of your retirement, income, savings or other funds, housing, and medical insurance. The category does not allow employment.

Age: 65 or older
Retirement: You must have retired outside Nigeria
Money: Documented retirement income and funds, including money brought into Nigeria

Summary

Nigeria's N5B category lets people aged sixty-five or older who retired abroad seek residence in Nigeria for retirement. Retirement or pension records and evidence of income and available funds, including money brought into Nigeria, support the financial assessment. The cited guidance does not state one universal pension minimum.

Housing, medical insurance and personal clearance are also required. This category excludes employment and differs from N5A for people who retired after working in Nigeria. Confirm the accepted financial evidence and actual permission before relying on the published two-year stay.

Eligibility

Provide a retirement letter, certificate, or pension evidence showing retirement outside Nigeria, together with age evidence. Prepare retirement-income and bank records, including proof of funds brought into Nigeria.

You also need a verifiable place to live in Nigeria, medical insurance, a valid passport, a photograph, and police or security clearance.

The cited Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) guidance does not publish a fixed minimum pension. Ask which financial records and level of support it will accept for your circumstances.

Applying to retire in Nigeria after working abroad

Confirm your age and retirement abroad Gather retirement and pension or other income evidence.
Prepare financial, housing, and personal records Confirm the level of support and insurance NIS will accept.
Apply for N5B residence Check the approved stay, renewal process, and separate family applications.

This category is for applicants aged 65 or older and does not permit employment.

What This Route Allows

NIS lists a two-year residence permit allowing multiple entries. Confirm the continuing conditions and renewal process before it expires. Eligible family members need separate applications in the relevant N6 dependent categories.

What This Route Is Not

This permission does not allow employment. It is not a general route for a younger person who can support themselves, and it does not automatically grant citizenship.

The separate N5A category covers people who retired after working in Nigeria and has different requirements. Use N5B for the retirement-abroad situation described here.

Next Steps

Gather age and retirement evidence and organize income, bank, and transferred-funds records.
Confirm the accepted financial support, insurance, and housing evidence with NIS or the Nigerian embassy or consulate.
Submit the current N5B application and complete the required residence steps.
Check the approved conditions, renewal timing, and any separate family applications.