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A Non-Resident BVN, or NRBVN, is a Bank Verification Number for Nigerians who live outside Nigeria. It lets you enrol remotely, without travelling to a Nigerian bank branch, so that you can use the Nigerian banking system.
It matters for diaspora founders because banks usually ask for a BVN from company directors when opening a corporate account.
Who can get one?
The NRBVN is meant for Nigerians living abroad. Some banks also describe it as open to Nigerians by descent. It is not a route for foreign nationals who have no Nigerian status. If that describes you, read can a foreigner register a company in Nigeria.
How does it work?
Enrolment runs through the NIBSS non-resident portal, and several banks, including GTBank, First Bank and Access, publish their own guidance on it. In general you:
- Open the official portal and enter your personal details
- Upload your Nigerian passport data page
- Complete the remote biometric steps
- Pay the processing charge shown on the portal
- Wait for your BVN and link it to your accounts
Portal steps and charges change. A processing charge of about $50 has been reported, described by the central bank as a recoverable cost of remote enrolment, but check the figure shown on the portal on the day you apply.
What it does and does not do for your business
A BVN identifies you to the Nigerian banking system. It does not register your company, give you a TIN, or guarantee a corporate account. Each bank still decides what it accepts, and some will want extra documents or a local contact.
The order that tends to work: decide your structure, register with CAC, get your TIN, then open the account with your BVN ready.
Avoid unofficial sellers
Use the NIBSS portal or your bank. Be wary of anyone who offers to get you a BVN without your own passport and biometrics.
Putting it together
If you plan to register a company from abroad, our guide to how to register a business in Nigeria from abroad shows where the BVN sits in the sequence. If you want your own route mapped, try Find Your Route.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Non-Resident BVN?
A BVN issued to Nigerians abroad through remote enrolment.
Can a foreigner get an NRBVN?
No. It is intended for Nigerians abroad, and some banks include Nigerians by descent.
Do I need it to register a company?
Not for the CAC filing. Banks usually ask for it when you open the account.
Is the fee refundable?
The central bank has described the charge as a recoverable processing cost, so check the current terms on the portal.
