Effective October 1, 2025, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has begun a nationwide enforcement operation targeting foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas or violated entry conditions. This follows the expiration of the Federal Government’s Expired Visa Initiative, a five-month amnesty program that allowed foreigners to regularize their immigration status without penalties.
The enforcement applies to holders of expired Visa on Arrival (VoA), single and multiple-entry short visit or business visas, and Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permits and Automated Cards (CERPAC). Offenders face a range of penalties depending on the duration of their overstay:
- Less than 3 months: $15 daily fine, removal, or a 2-year entry ban
- 3 months to 1 year: $15 daily fine, removal, or a 5-year entry ban
- Over 1 year: removal and either a 10-year or permanent entry ban
Immigration officers are conducting checks at airports, land borders, and within communities to identify violators. The NIS emphasized that the crackdown is part of broader efforts to safeguard national security, protect local jobs, and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s immigration system.
Foreign nationals currently residing in Nigeria are urged to ensure their documents are valid and up to date to avoid sanctions. The agency has also encouraged those affected to visit its official website for guidance on regularizing their stay.
