The Nigerian government has issued a stern warning to all foreign nationals overstaying their visas, as a major immigration crackdown is set to begin on August 1, 2025.
According to Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stiff penalties, including heavy surcharges and multi-year re-entry bans, will be enforced starting from that date.
The move comes as part of a broader reform under Nigeria’s new electronic visa (e-visa) regime, which has already processed over 14,000 applications in its first six weeks.
According to The Nation, the Interior Minister made this announcement at a stakeholder meeting held at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja. He urged foreign nationals to take advantage of the online immigration amnesty portal that opened in July to regularize their status before the deadline.
“Once the amnesty period is over, we will implement the law 100 per cent. There will be a penalty for overstaying in Nigeria,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
The penalties for overstaying are steep:
N15,000 daily surcharge after visa expiry
5-year re-entry ban for staying beyond 6 months
10-year ban for overstays exceeding a year
The Nigerian government also scrapped an expensive physical archiving system, saving nearly ₦1 billion annually. All visa and passport processes have been digitized, with 99% of passport issuance now fully online.
The minister revealed that a “contactless” system for passport renewal via facial scan would become mandatory by April 2025, and additional automation of expatriate permits and work visas (CERPAC and TWP) is already underway.
With the new system, visa applicants can apply online, upload documents, and receive digital clearance without visiting immigration offices.
“If you want to kill corruption, kill scarcity,” said Tunji-Ojo. “Our goal is to make the process seamless and secure.”
The reforms aim to increase national security, promote transparency, and attract investors by simplifying the process for foreigners who want to live or work in Nigeria.
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