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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially commenced nationwide enforcement against visa overstayers following the expiration of the Federal Government’s Expired Visa Initiative. The initiative, announced on July 5, 2025, offered an amnesty window for foreigners to regularize their immigration status without penalties. According to the Service, the grace period ended at midnight on September 30, 2025.
The enforcement drive, effective from October 1, 2025, targets foreign nationals who have overstayed visas or violated entry conditions in Nigeria. In a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, the NIS confirmed that strict sanctions would now apply to offenders. This announcement underscores the government’s zero-tolerance stance on immigration violations.
Officials listed categories of individuals affected by the crackdown. They include holders of expired Visa on Arrival (VoA), expired single and multiple-entry short visit or business visas, and foreigners whose Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permit and Automated Card (CERPAC) has lapsed. These groups are now subject to removal, fines, or long-term entry restrictions.
Furthermore, the Service emphasized that all sanctions carry significant consequences for offenders.
Foreign nationals found in violation will face financial penalties, removal from Nigeria, and in some cases permanent bans from re-entry.
The enforcement measure, authorities explained, is designed to protect national security while promoting lawful migration.
To clarify the penalties for visa overstayers, the NIS released a detailed breakdown. Less than three months of overstay attracts removal and payment of $15 per day, or a two-year entry ban. Those overstaying between three months and one year risk removal, payment of the same daily fee, or a five-year entry ban. Foreign nationals overstaying one year or more face removal and a permanent ban from entering Nigeria.
This tough stance comes after months of warnings issued by the Service during the amnesty period. At that time, foreigners with expired status were advised to use the opportunity to normalize their documents. However, many failed to take advantage of the initiative, prompting the new enforcement measures. According to the NIS, no further amnesty will be considered in the foreseeable future.
The crackdown on visa overstayers also aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to strengthen border security in line with global immigration standards. By enforcing compliance, the country aims to curb abuse of its visa system, ensure accurate migration records, and protect jobs and resources for citizens. In addition, it reinforces the government’s wider push for transparency and efficiency in public service.
The Nigeria Immigration Service has urged the public to report suspected cases of visa overstayers to the nearest immigration office. In a statement, Akinlabi stressed that enforcement officers will conduct checks at airports, seaports, land borders, and within communities. He assured that crackdown on visa overstayers will be carried out professionally, with respect for human rights, but with firm adherence to the law.
The NIS reiterated its mission to promote safe, orderly, and lawful migration. “Nigeria will continue to welcome legitimate visitors, but those who flout immigration laws will face the consequences,” the Service declared. This latest move signals that the era of lax enforcement against visa overstayers is over.
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