Best Residence by Investment Lawyers in Jikoyi

About Residence by Investment Law in Jikoyi, Nigeria

Nigeria does not operate a formal residence-by-investment program that grants automatic residency or citizenship in exchange for purchasing property or investing a set amount. Any person who wishes to live in Jikoyi - a community within the Abuja Federal Capital Territory - must comply with Nigeria’s federal immigration framework. This framework allows investors and senior executives to reside in Nigeria by obtaining the correct work and residence permits through a Nigerian company, including a company they establish or invest in.

The most common lawful path for investors is to incorporate or invest in a Nigerian company, secure the company’s Business Permit and Expatriate Quota from the Ministry of Interior, obtain a Subject to Regularization visa from a Nigerian embassy or consulate, then finalize a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card in Nigeria. Buying real estate alone does not confer immigration status. Long-term or permanent residence is highly discretionary and typically tied to marriage to a Nigerian citizen or long residence with demonstrable value to the country, not to an investment amount.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Immigration and investment steps in Nigeria involve several agencies and rigorous documentation. A lawyer can evaluate your objectives, recommend the most suitable entry route, and reduce risks of delay or refusal. If you plan to live in Jikoyi while managing an investment or company in Abuja, legal help is often needed to structure your business lawfully and coordinate immigration compliance.

Common situations where counsel is helpful include forming or acquiring a company, obtaining a Business Permit and Expatriate Quota, preparing and filing Subject to Regularization visa applications, regularizing status and securing a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card after arrival, registering capital to obtain a Certificate of Capital Importation for profit repatriation, performing property due diligence in the Federal Capital Territory through Abuja Geographic Information Systems, navigating sector approvals in regulated industries, registering for taxes and determining tax residence, renewing permits and filing required returns, and addressing overstay, status changes, or enforcement concerns with the Nigerian Immigration Service.

Local Laws Overview

Immigration is governed at the federal level and applies uniformly in Jikoyi and elsewhere in Nigeria. Key instruments include the Immigration Act 2015 and the Immigration Regulations 2017. In practice, investors typically rely on the following sequence. First, incorporate at the Corporate Affairs Commission. Second, for companies with foreign participation, obtain a Business Permit and Expatriate Quota from the Ministry of Interior. Third, apply abroad for a Subject to Regularization visa tied to an approved expatriate position. Fourth, on arrival, finalize regularization and receive a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card. These residence permits are normally valid for one or two years, renewable while you keep compliant employment or investment status.

Permanent residence is limited and discretionary. Marriage to a Nigerian citizen can support indefinite residence. Naturalization is available after a long qualifying period and other constitutional tests. There is no automatic upgrade from investor status to permanent residence or citizenship.

Investment compliance is anchored in corporate, foreign exchange, and tax rules. The Companies and Allied Matters Act requires disclosure of persons with significant control and proper corporate governance. Under the Foreign Exchange framework administered by the Central Bank of Nigeria, investors should secure a Certificate of Capital Importation through an authorized dealer bank within the statutory timeline after bringing in funds. This certificate is essential for lawful repatriation of dividends and capital. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission facilitates investment and can grant Pioneer Status tax incentives to qualifying projects.

Tax rules relevant to residents and companies in Jikoyi include personal income tax administered by the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service and corporate taxes administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service. Individual tax residence generally follows a 183-day-in-12-months rule. Companies must register for a tax identification number, file returns, and meet withholding and value added tax obligations. Anti-money laundering compliance applies through the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit framework.

Real estate in Jikoyi is within the Federal Capital Territory. Land in the FCT is administered by the Federal Capital Development Authority, with title records and consents managed through Abuja Geographic Information Systems. Foreigners can hold leasehold interests subject to statutory consents. Buying property does not create immigration privileges, but a lawyer should verify title, obtain the Minister’s consent where required, and check planning approvals and development control issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nigeria have a residence-by-investment program?

No. Nigeria does not grant residence or citizenship simply because you invest or purchase real estate. Investors usually live in Nigeria by working for a Nigerian company and holding the correct work and residence permits.

How can an investor legally reside in Jikoyi while managing a business?

Set up or invest in a Nigerian company, secure a Business Permit and Expatriate Quota for your role, obtain a Subject to Regularization visa abroad, then on arrival in Nigeria complete regularization and receive a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card tied to your position.

Is there a minimum investment amount that guarantees residence?

No amount of investment guarantees residency. Approval depends on compliance with corporate, immigration, and security checks, availability of an expatriate quota position, and the merits of your application.

Will buying a home in Jikoyi give me residency?

No. Property ownership in the Federal Capital Territory does not confer immigration status. You still need a valid visa, residence permit, and continuing compliance with immigration laws.

How long do the STR visa and residence permit processes take?

Timelines vary with document readiness and agency backlogs. As a rough guide, company setup and approvals can take weeks, the Subject to Regularization visa a few weeks after quota approval, and residence permit issuance a few weeks after arrival. A lawyer can help shorten avoidable delays.

Can my family join me in Nigeria?

Yes. Spouses and minor children can usually obtain dependent visas and dependent Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Cards. A dependent spouse who wants to work must obtain separate work authorization.

What taxes apply if I become a resident in Jikoyi?

Individuals who meet tax residence thresholds are subject to personal income tax through the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service. Your company will have corporate tax, withholding tax, and value added tax obligations with the Federal Inland Revenue Service. Double tax treaty relief may apply depending on your home country.

Can I work for the company I invest in?

Yes, if the company secures an expatriate quota position that covers your role and you personally hold a valid work and residence permit tied to that position. You cannot work in Nigeria on a visitor or business visa.

How do I lawfully repatriate profits and capital?

Bring investment funds through an authorized dealer bank and obtain a Certificate of Capital Importation promptly. Maintain proper corporate records and tax compliance. Dividends and capital can then be repatriated through authorized channels in line with Central Bank of Nigeria rules.

What are common pitfalls for investor-residents?

Assuming property purchase confers residency, using an agent who promises citizenship or residence by investment, entering Nigeria on a business visa to take up employment, neglecting expatriate quota returns and permit renewals, failing to obtain a Certificate of Capital Importation, and buying land without verifying title through Abuja Geographic Information Systems and securing required consents.

Additional Resources

Nigerian Immigration Service for visas, Subject to Regularization processing, and Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card issuance. Ministry of Interior for Business Permit and Expatriate Quota. Corporate Affairs Commission for company incorporation and persons with significant control filings. Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission for investment guidance and Pioneer Status incentives. Central Bank of Nigeria and authorized dealer banks for Certificates of Capital Importation and foreign exchange compliance. Federal Inland Revenue Service for company tax registration and filings. Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service for personal income tax in Abuja. Abuja Geographic Information Systems and the Federal Capital Development Authority for land titles, consents, and development control in Jikoyi and the wider Federal Capital Territory. Abuja Municipal Area Council for local levies and permits.

Next Steps

Clarify your goals, including whether you will own and manage a company, invest passively, or take an executive role. Gather identification, police clearance, academic or professional credentials, curriculum vitae, and marriage or birth certificates for dependents. Consult a lawyer experienced in immigration and investment in Abuja to map the correct pathway and timeline.

Register a company with the Corporate Affairs Commission, open a bank account, and plan capital inflows through an authorized dealer bank to secure a Certificate of Capital Importation. Apply for a Business Permit and Expatriate Quota with a clear job description for your role. When quota approval is issued, file for a Subject to Regularization visa at a Nigerian mission abroad.

Enter Nigeria on the approved visa and complete regularization with the Nigerian Immigration Service to receive your Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card. Register for tax, set up payroll and withholding if applicable, and build a compliance calendar for expatriate quota returns, permit renewals, and tax filings. If you intend to purchase property in Jikoyi, instruct counsel to verify title with Abuja Geographic Information Systems, obtain required consents, and review planning approvals. Maintain accurate records and consult your lawyer promptly if your role, employer, or family circumstances change.