The Nigerian government has given foreigners who have overstayed their visas until August 1, 2025, to regularise their stay or face severe penalties.
Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Oji has said the government will implement the law 100% after the deadline.
Imposing penalties, including a five to ten-year ban from re-entering the country.
Once the amnesty period is over, we will implement the law 100 per cent and, of course, there will be a penalty for overstaying in Nigeria,” Tunji-Ojo declared while addressing stakeholders at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja.
The penalties for overstaying visas are as follows: a five-year re-entry ban for foreigners who overstay for six months and a 10-year ban for those who stay for a year or more.
Additionally, a $15 daily surcharge will be imposed on each day a foreigner stays in Nigeria beyond the expiration date stamped on their visa.
The Nigerian government has introduced broader immigration reforms, including the clearance of over 14,000 electronic visa applications in just six weeks and the launch of the amnesty portal for overstayers.
These reforms aim to enhance national security, ensure compliance with immigration laws, and support economic growth by facilitating legitimate travel and investment in Nigeria.
The minister has urged diplomatic missions to inform their nationals to take advantage of the amnesty period
The government has also emphasized the importance of respecting Nigerian laws, with the minister stating, “Our laws are not meant to be abused. Our laws are meant to be respected. And wherever you are from, once you are in Nigeria, you must respect the laws of Nigeria.”
The automation of Nigeria’s passport system, formally kicked off on January 8, 2024, has eliminated the need for physical forms and middlemen, making the process more efficient and transparent.
Under the new system, both local and international applicants complete their forms online, pay electronically, and upload birth certificates, proof of address and passport photographs.
According to the NIS, the portal’s backend automatically performs security screenings, enabling immigration officers to detect irregularities long before applicants arrive at any physical passport office or capture centre.
The ministry has also issued a public advisory through Nigerian missions abroad, urging prospective travellers to use the website to “check requirements, test photos and book appointments”.
This move, according to officials, is designed to eliminate the long queues, bribery, and extortion that have characterised the process for years
