The Nigerian government is set to implement a stricter immigration regime that will see foreign nationals face steep penalties for overstaying their visas. Beginning in May 2025, expatriates who overstay for over six months will receive a five-year re-entry ban, while those who remain illegally in the country for a year or more will face a 10-year ban.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the new measures during a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday at NECA House in Lagos. The event focused on ongoing immigration reforms, including updates to the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025 and the expatriate quota system.
As part of the new enforcement framework, a $15 daily fine will be imposed on foreigners who remain in the country beyond their permitted stay. However, to give visitors an opportunity to regularize their status, the government is offering a three-month grace period from May to July 2025. Enforcement and penalties will officially begin on August 1, 2025.
“From the first of August, anyone who fails to use the amnesty window to regularize will begin to pay fines,” Tunji-Ojo said. “But if you take advantage of that window, we won’t charge you. The goal isn’t to punish; the goal is to clean up the system and know exactly who is in our country.”
He added: “Overstay of more than three months will attract a five-year ban, and anyone who stays beyond a year without regularizing should not bother returning to Nigeria.”
CERPAC Goes Digital
In a significant policy shift, the minister also unveiled plans to fully digitize the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) process, eliminating manual procedures and improving transparency.
From May 1, 2025, expatriates will be able to complete their CERPAC applications and make payments entirely online through a dedicated portal on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) website. The automation aims to bring Nigeria in line with global best practices.
“Right now, you have to buy a form, pay at the bank, and physically go to the CERPAC centre. That’s outdated,” the minister said. “Under the new system, everything—from form submission to payment—will be handled online. Immigration will handle reviews from the backend.”
He also issued a stern warning to applicants with criminal backgrounds, stating that CERPAC will now be linked to Interpol and other global security systems to prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for fugitives.
“If you know you have criminal records, don’t apply,” he warned. “We are integrating with Interpol 24/7. This is not a safe space for those running from the law.”
Holding Employers Accountable
The minister emphasized that employers will now bear greater responsibility for their foreign employees’ legal compliance. Under the new system, companies will be held accountable for ensuring that expatriates in their employment follow all immigration procedures.
“We’re doing this the way it’s done globally. Our engagement is with the employers, and we expect full cooperation,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo assured stakeholders that no increases will be made to the current CERPAC fee but reiterated the government’s focus on sanitizing the system and closing loopholes that allow for abuse.
