Nigeria has issued an ultimatum to foreign nationals who have exceeded their visa validity: regularize your immigration status by August 1, 2025, or face substantial penalties, including daily fines and lengthy re-entry bans.
Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the enforcement measures during a stakeholder meeting at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja, emphasizing that the government will implement immigration laws with full force once the amnesty period expires.
Penalty Structure
The consequences for visa violations are graduated based on the overstay duration. Foreign nationals who exceed their authorized stay by six months will face a five-year ban from re-entering Nigeria, while those who overstay by a year or more will be prohibited from returning for ten years. Beyond these bans, the government will impose a $15 surcharge for each day beyond the visa expiration date.
“Once the amnesty period is over, we will implement the law 100 percent and, of course, there will be a penalty for overstaying in Nigeria,” Tunji-Ojo stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to strict enforcement.
Immigration System Overhaul
The deadline coincides with broader immigration reforms designed to modernize Nigeria’s visa and passport systems. The government has processed over 14,000 electronic visa applications within six weeks and launched a dedicated amnesty portal for overstayers seeking to regularize their status.
These initiatives support the government’s dual objectives of strengthening national security while facilitating legitimate business and tourism. The minister has requested that diplomatic missions notify their citizens about the amnesty opportunity.
Digital Transformation
Nigeria’s passport system underwent complete automation starting January 8, 2024, eliminating paper forms and intermediary agents that previously complicated the process. The new digital platform requires applicants to complete forms online, submit electronic payments, and upload required documents, including birth certificates, address verification, and photographs.
The system’s automated security screening capabilities allow immigration officers to identify potential issues before applicants reach physical offices, significantly reducing processing delays and corruption opportunities.
The ministry has established an online portal where prospective travelers can verify requirements, validate photographs, and schedule appointments, addressing longstanding issues with lengthy queues and irregular practices.
Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized the universal application of Nigerian law, 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.”
