March 2017 - Relocation Africa

NIGERIA | Major Revision to Modernize Corporate Immigration Process

Business Permits

Foreign nationals establishing a trade, business, or profession in Nigeria must first obtain a business permit from the Minister of Interior (MOI), usually granted for 90 days with the possibility of a 30-day extension. As the business permit does not include residence authorization, most foreign nationals then apply for a residence permit in-country. The new regulations now clarify that even upon obtaining residence authorization, business permits must still be renewed. While past practice was often to forgo renewing the business permit once a residence permit was issued, the regulations now include penalties for failing to renew business permits.

Work Permits

The new regulations now provide a Temporary Work Permit (TWP) which is a single-entry work authorization, valid for two to three months, with a possible 30-day extension available in-country. Significant penalties also now apply for failing to obtain requisite extensions. Note that this TWP is granted outside the current expatriate quota levels which apply only to more long-term work permits.

For longer work assignments, companies must apply for a work permit under the expatriate quota through the MOI. In a significant improvement in that stream, foreign nationals may now request a “stay of action” letter which allows them to remain in-country pending an expatriate quota renewal and issuance of a renewed work permit, if the initial expatriate quota work permit expires.

Residence Permits

The new regulations have also further defined the rules and processes for residence permits. The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (CGI) has been tasked with administration of all residence authorizations. The regulations now clarify that residence permits may be granted for stays up to two years. Also of significant benefit to companies and their foreign employees, the regulations now expressly provide that foreign nationals who have pending residence permit applications may travel internationally and re-enter Nigeria during the first 90 days from their original entry.

Investors Visa

The new regulations also call for a new long-term Investment Visa which gives the holder permanent residence status. However, the regulations do not yet formally contain the details of the minimum investment threshold, permissible form of investment, or length of investment.

Visas on Arrival

As Pro-Link GLOBAL reported previously, Nigeria recently greatly expanded its visa-on-arrival scheme to accommodate business travelers from nations with no Nigerian overseas consular post. The new regulations now take that scheme one step further by opening the visa-on-arrival option to all foreign nationals, regardless of their country of residence. However, note that the “visa on arrival approval letter” obtained by an in-country sponsor must still be in hand when the foreign national arrives and requests the visa-on-arrival at his/her port of entry.

Registration Requirements

The new regulations also call for the establishment of a new nation-wide register of foreign nationals in Nigeria. Once implemented, all foreign nationals obtaining residence permits will be required to register their residences at the NIS office in the state where they reside and make subsequent updates to their registration whenever they change their residence. Landlords and owners of hotels, boarding houses, and other lodging accommodations will be required to maintain records of their foreign guests, including names, addresses, occupations, passport information, and arrival and departure dates.

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Morocco

Morocco’s an expat’s dream!

Location: Africa
Capital City: Rabat
Other Important Cities: Casablanca, Essaouira, Fes, Marrakech
Currency: Dirham
Language: Arabic, Tamazight
Calling Code: 212
Internet TLD: .ma
Electricity: Morroco runs on 127/220V 50Hz. Electricity is mainly provided by the state-owned Office National de l’Electricite et de l’eau Potable ONE.
Website (French): www.one.org.ma

Emergency Numbers:
Ambulance: 15
Fire: 15
Police: 19

Morocco’s cultural landscape is as diverse as its geography. Containing coasts, mountains and desert, this North African country displays the traditions that has been passed down from generation to generation. From souqs, medinas, to hospitality and cuisine, Moroccan culture, although faceted with other influences, is distinctly unique. Morocco is not only a dream destination of tourists, but also home away from home for longtime expats.

Expat Clubs

American International Women’s Club of Casablanca
AIWC Casablanca Mission statement is to provide financial and other support to those, in Morocco, who are most vulnerable; to promote a better understanding of Morocco; and to unite English-speaking women of all nationalities, especially in welcoming newcomers to our community.
Website: www.casablancaaiwc.org

American Women Living in Morocco (Yahoo Group)
Email: American_Women_living_in_Morocco@Yahoogroups.com
Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/American_Women_Living_In_Morocco

International Schools

Casablanca American School
Casablanca American School (CAS) embraces an American Educational system of teaching that offers an International Baccalaureate program in a learning environment that nourishes your children’s unique qualities.

Curriculum: American, International Baccalaureate
Address: Route de la Mecque, Lotissement Ougoug, Quartier Californie, Casablanca, Morocco, 20150
Tel: +212-522-79-39-39
Fax: +212-522-21-24-88
Email: contact-cas@cas.ac.ma
Website: www.cas.ac.ma

George Washington Academy Casablanca
GWA opened in 1998 with 52 students; today we have more than 790 students from 39 nationalities taught in their purpose-built campus by a majority of North American instructional staff. The school received full accreditation by the Middle States Association in 2009.

The cost of living in Morocco is relatively low compared to Europe and North America. Expats both rent and buy properties, depending on the purpose and duration of their stay in the country. Apartments for sale go for as low as $35,000. Apartment rentals are as low as $325. Cityred Morocco is a leading real estate service provider first opened in England. They have a variety of listings across main Moroccan cities: cityredmorocco.com

Marrakech, the capital of Morocco holds a distinct charm among tourists. Moroccan culture is so embedded and evident in this city, it’s a total immersive experience. Traditional marketplaces, old-fashioned vendors and unwavering hospitality, the city is a welcome breath of fresh air from expats who needs to something different; metropolitan yet reflective of heritage.

The other city, Casablanca is the opposite of Marrakech. Its namesake Hollywood film does not do it justice; this city is the economic and commercial center, the progressive side of Morocco. Expats who are looking for the same Western amenities such as bars, clubs and hip restaurants and hang-outs, will find it in this Casablanca, thanks to its openness to European and American popular culture. They will also find the same traffic jam and buzzing sound of the city moving fast. Despite the city’s plunge into the fore of commercialism, it managed to retain its roots through historical architecture and environment.

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Blog

Understanding “Expat Language”: What Do You Call Yourself?

Expat, third culture kid, trailing spouse, international… what language do you use to describe yourself or your situation? Do you identify with any of these terms? Do you choose not to? Or perhaps you’ve struggled to find a term that describes your situation with all its nuances?

When it comes to discussing issues faced by “expats”, finding language that is accurate – and shared and understood by us all – is something of a challenge; a challenge that is impossible to ignore with the growing phenomenon of globally mobile individuals and families.

For example, the term “international” can refer to any of the terms in the table below. The different “labels” also carry different emotions and may affect how we see our identity (e.g. positively or negatively).

So where do we begin?

How can we make sure that we start our conversations on the same page?

A possible first step is to define the terms, meanings and references we use – find some helpful definitions below, as discussed at the FIGT (Families in Global Transition) Conference 2016 in Amsterdam. There are many more, of course, but we tried to make a small, comprehensive list with some of the most important definitions.

By creating mutual understanding of common (and not so common) terms, there’s less chance of the words getting in the way ofreal communication.

Term	Definition
Expat /Expatriate	Person who left his/her native country to live elsewhere.
Third Culture Kid (TCK)Third Culture Adult (TCA)	Person who has lived in – or meaningfully interacted with – two or more countries for a significant period of time during developmental years, often coupled with High Mobility Patterns.Person (adult) who is not living in his/her home country.
Cross-Cultural Kid (CCK)	Person who has lived in – or meaningfully interacted with – two or more cultural environments for a significant period of time during developmental years.
Trailing spouse / Accompanying Spouse or Partner	Person following his/her spouse on assignment abroad.
Lovepat / Romantic Expat	Made-up word to designate a person who followed a person of romantic interest abroad.
Repat / Repatriate	A person who returned to his/her native country after living elsewhere.
Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK)	Person (adult) who grew up as a TCK.
Global Nomad	Other name designating an Expat or TCK.
Orphan Spouse	Person is in a relationship but his/her job(s) dictates separate lives to partner/spouse.
Immigrant	Person who comes to a country to settle.

Regardless of what term best describes your situation, here are some valuable questions to ask yourself:

Do I need a label?
What does it mean for me/my identity/who I am?
How does the label feel to me?

I believe having answers to these questions is equally, or more, important, than identifying one term that describes your full experience as an international or expat or repat or… ????

At the end of the day, you are YOU blessed in your DIVERSITY!

What do you call yourself? Join the conversation below – we’re curious to hear your thoughts!

If you found this article helpful, subscribe to our newsletter or share the article with a friend or family member who has been asking similar questions!

Nigeria

New Nigerian Immigration Regulation 2017

Further to the enactment of the Nigerian Immigration Act 2015 (“Immigration Act”), the Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau (retired), launched the new Immigration Regulations 2017 (the “Regulation”) today, March 20, 2017.

The Regulation will assist in the implementation of the Immigration Act as well as strengthen the capacity of the Nigeria Immigration Service to tackle migration related problems and ensure strict compliance with extant provisions of the law with particular focus on checking human trafficking, border security and employment of Immigrants.

The Regulation, which is likely to take effect immediately, shall affect, inter alia, all Foreign Visas/Permits.

Whilst we conduct a robust review of the Regulation, Companies, HR’s and Immigration Advisors should be aware of this development and its potential impact on their businesses.

It should be noted that this alert is for general information only. It is not offered as advice, on any particular matter, whether legal, procedural or otherwise.

For more information on this alert, please contact Kunle Obebe, Partner at kunleobebe@bloomfield-law.com or your usual contact at Bloomfield Law Practice.