If you are a foreigner who lives in Niger without papers or if you want to come to Niger and you are wondering how to stay without problems, this article clearly explains the procedure to follow and the documents you need to obtain the residence permit in Niger.
If you are not a Nigerien national and you wish to stay regularly in Niger without being disturbed, you will need a residence permit within 3 months of your arrival in the territory.
With this document, you can move freely throughout Niger.
What is a residence permit?
A residence permit is a document provided by the Nigerien administration that authorizes a person to stay for a defined period of time in Nigerien territory.
How to obtain a residence permit in Niger?
To have your residence permit, you would have to present your valid entry VISA, passport and up-to-date health card for people who are not nationals of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) countries.
Nationals of ECOWAS member countries can travel to the region without a VISA. This is made possible thanks to the application of the provisions of the Protocol on the free movement of persons and goods, the right of residence and establishment which has seen significant progress in that ECOWAS citizens can now travel without a VISA in the region.
What is the purpose of the residence permit?
The residence permit is a mandatory document for any expatriate or foreigner wishing to settle in Niger for a period greater than or equal to 3 (three) months; it allows the latter to spend his stay on Nigerien soil without being worried.
What documents must be provided to obtain a residence permit?
The following documents will be requested from the person who wishes to have a residence permit:
- A certificate of residence,
- A copy of the ID
- A criminal record,
- An extract of his nationality,
- A certificate of residence with a tax stamp of 1,000 FCFA,
- Four recent identity photos,
- A road tax of 1,500 FCFA to be paid,
- A photocopy of the consular card issued by the embassy or consulate of his country in Niamey,
- A tax stamp of 10,000 Cfa francs for nationals of an ECOWAS member country and a stamp of 50,000 Cfa francs for those who do not belong to the ECOWAS area.
From which structure(s) can the residence permit be obtained?
The Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DST) is responsible for issuing residence permits. Here in Agadez, the DST has a representative housed in the police station.
What is the procedure for obtaining a residence permit?
- The foreigner wishing to have a residence permit must first go to the nearest Police Station for an application for a residence certificate. He must provide his identity document in addition to a sum not exceeding a maximum of 2,000 CFA francs to obtain the certificate of residence. The entire process does not exceed half an hour except in cases of force majeure.
- The second step is to go to the Court of Appeal of Niamey or Zinder to obtain a criminal record. And for this, he will just need his nationality and the certificate of residence plus a tax stamp of 1,000 FCFA. Normally this should not take more than three days or at most a maximum of one week.
- In addition to these documents, you need a medical certificate and counter-medical issued by a doctor residing in Niger, 4 recent identity photos, a road tax of 1,500 FCFA to be paid, a photocopy of the consular card issued by the embassy or consulate of his country in Niamey, a tax stamp of 10,000 FCFA for nationals of an ECOWAS country and a stamp of 50,000 FCFA for those who do not belong to the ECOWAS area. For renewal it is half-tariff respectively 5,000f for ECOWAS nationals and 25,000f for non-ECOWAS nationals.
- Once the certificate of residence and the criminal record have been obtained, in addition to the other documents mentioned above, the applicant for the residence permit applies to the Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire (DST).
What is the validity of the residence permit?
The residence permit is 3 years renewable.
Is it possible to withdraw the residence permit from a foreigner/beneficiary?
The holder's residence permit is withdrawn when he is expelled. It may also be so when it is established that the alien to whom it was issued, either has left Niger for a period of more than six months, unless there is a valid reason before the expiry of this period, or is, by his means, unemployed or resources for more than 3 months. It may also be issued where it is established that it was issued on the basis of false information, records or documents, without prejudice to criminal proceedings.
In the event of loss or damage to the residence permit, how can a new one be obtained?
In the event of loss of his permit, the person concerned should have a declaration of loss drawn up and the authorities in charge of the residence permit establishment (police station) be given the number of the permit so that a new one can be drawn up.
To also replace his residence permit, in case of damage or theft, the interested party must also go to the police station to report the reasons why he wishes to have a new residence permit.
And if you lose your identity document, what should you do?
In the event of loss of his identity document, the person concerned may obtain safe conduct at the police station, which will enable him to go to Niamey to obtain an identity document at the consulate/embassy of his country or to go as far as his country of origin. This safe conduct is indeed a pass so that the individual can cross the barriers without incident.
For any questions :
Contact us on our Facebook page Sheega.info and on our website https://www.sheega.info/hc/fr Monday to Thursday from 8am to 5.45pm and Fridays from 8am to 1pm.
You can also call us at these same times on our toll-free numbers 92 90 55 55 or 98 31 38 24