Dear Mission Community,

We want to inform you of changes that are happening to the CERPAC systems here in Nigeria. Our CERPACs are what enable us to be here in Nigeria. The renewal process is moving online and much is the same, but there is one change that will impact us the most.

This change is the increased price of our CERPAC renewals. The funds we use to pay for our CERPAC registrations are included in our budget and are billed through our sending entities. So, our sending entities will need to adjust budgets to handle these price changes. Additionally, biometric data is now required.

What do you need to do?

• We will notify your sending entities, but if you have particular concerns you could also email your budget managers to determine what action you need to take
• If your CERPAC needs to be renewed soon, the immigration team will coordinate with you regarding the forms they need and to schedule a trip to Abuja for biometric capturing

How much more money is now required? Currently, our CERPACs cost about US 400 every year per adult. Based on the new requirements, our CERPACS will now cost an additional US 1,000 each year. This will apply to parents and children. Our team is working diligently to find answers and reduce costs. But the costs must be paid when it is time to renew your CERPAC.

Why do I have to go to Abuja? The biometric capturing for CERPACs will eventually be rolled out to all states. However, this is a new program that started in August and the facilities beyond Abuja and Lagos are not ready to capture the data yet. We’re hoping it will be soon so that not everyone has to travel far to meet the new requirements.

We know this situation isn’t ideal, but we trust God to work and are grateful to Nathan and David for how they serve and bless us. Please pray for removal of the increased fees, that God will supply our needs should the fees remain, that processes will be smoothed out, and that we can continue in our service here.