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Pathway

Nigeria Small Business Investor Residence

Nigeria Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If you invest USD $250,000 to USD $500,000 in a qualifying small business in Nigeria, you can apply for residence through the N3A investor category. The money must have been brought into Nigeria and remain there as investment capital. Savings you have not yet transferred do not meet that requirement.

Investment
USD $250,000 to USD $500,000 brought into Nigeria and retained as capital
Business
A registered small enterprise with a specific business plan
Previous visa
The category page requires current or previous F4B or F4C business permission; confirm with NIS

Summary

Nigeria's N3A category offers residence for a qualifying investment in a registered small enterprise, with the capital already brought into Nigeria and retained in the business. A specific business plan and records of the USD $250,000–500,000 investment must establish the actual project; personal savings or a future investment promise are insufficient.

Official pages differ on the need for current or previous F4B or F4C business permission, so confirm that condition before transferring funds. The category boundary at exactly USD $500,000 also needs checking. Residence approval does not replace sector, business or work permissions for the applicant's role.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Prepare proof that the qualifying capital was brought into Nigeria and remains there, evidence of the investment, a specific business plan, and company or business-registration records. You also need a valid passport, a photograph, and security clearance from where you live.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) category page requires a current or previous F4B or F4C business visa. Its April 2026 service guide leaves that item out. This guide keeps the explicit visa requirement until NIS confirms otherwise. Check it before transferring money, especially if you have not held either visa.

Also confirm the correct investor category for an investment of exactly USD $500,000, where categories meet, or for a larger investment.

Applying for residence through a small-business investment
  1. Confirm the category and prior visa requirement Check the USD $500,000 boundary and NIS instructions before transferring money.
  2. Document the business and transferred capital Prepare the business plan, registration, investment, and personal records.
  3. Apply and maintain the investment conditions Check the approved stay, renewal terms, and any separate family permits.

The money must already have been brought into Nigeria and retained; future investment plans are not enough.

What This Route Allows

NIS lists three years of residence with multiple entry for the investment activity. The capital must remain in Nigeria and you must keep meeting the permit’s conditions. Eligible dependents need separate N6 applications.

What This Route Is Not

This route does not grant citizenship or a passport, and buying a personal home alone does not qualify. A plan to invest later or proof of available savings is not proof that investment capital has already been brought into Nigeria and kept there.

Residence approval also does not replace business permits, sector approvals, or employment permission required for your particular role.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm the N3A category and prior-business-visa requirement with NIS before transferring money.
  2. Arrange advice on company registration, business permissions, bringing in the capital, and documenting that it remains in Nigeria.
  3. Gather the business plan, investment evidence, identity records, and clearance and submit the application.
  4. Review the approved conditions, renewal requirements, and separate applications for any dependents.

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Sources