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In a strategic move to bolster migration compliance, the Federal Government has introduced an expired immigration status amnesty for affected foreign nationals in Nigeria. This development, driven by the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), aims to promote lawful residency while reinforcing the principles of the New Visa Regime.
The amnesty, formally titled the Expired Visa Initiative, offers foreigners with lapsed immigration documents a rare opportunity to regularize their stay without incurring penalties. According to a statement issued by ACI, Mr. A.S. Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer at the NIS headquarters in Abuja, the initiative began on May 1, 2025, and will remain open until September 30, 2025.
This window is specifically intended for individuals who have overstayed their visa terms or violated visa conditions. It applies to three main categories: foreign nationals with an expired Visa on Arrival (VoA), holders of expired single and multiple-entry visas, and individuals with an expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), where the renewal delay exceeds 30 days.
As part of this arrangement, affected residents are strongly advised to visit the amnesty application portal at [https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng](https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng) to regularize their documentation. This step must be completed within the stipulated period to avoid legal repercussions or overstay penalties.
To ensure accessibility and ease of compliance, the Nigeria Immigration Service has established a dedicated support team to guide applicants through the process. The team is reachable via the official amnesty email address: [amnesty@immigration.gov.ng](mailto:amnesty@immigration.gov.ng). This proactive support is meant to eliminate bottlenecks and guarantee that qualified individuals can take full advantage of the amnesty window.
The expired immigration status amnesty serves as a reminder of the Service’s broader mandate—to facilitate legal migration while safeguarding national interests. In reaffirming this position, the NIS underscored its ongoing commitment to efficiency, transparency, and national security.
Further information about the amnesty process, eligibility requirements, and additional immigration services can be accessed via the official NIS website at (http://www.immigration.gov.ng). Prospective applicants are encouraged to review guidelines carefully and act promptly within the deadline to benefit from this policy.
This initiative reflects the Service’s effort to balance national security objectives with humanitarian considerations. By providing a grace period for compliance, the government hopes to foster a culture of legal residency while easing the burden on immigration enforcement mechanisms.
Foreign nationals who fall within the outlined categories are urged to act without delay. The amnesty will not be extended beyond the September deadline, and once it lapses, regular penalties for immigration violations will resume.
In conclusion, the NIS’s introduction of the expired immigration status amnesty demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to migration governance. It highlights the Service’s focus on cooperation, legal regularization, and the responsible management of Nigeria’s borders.
The Federal Government continues to emphasize its dedication to upholding international standards in migration policy, and this amnesty aligns with those global best practices. The timely participation of eligible residents will contribute to a more orderly and secure immigration system in Nigeria.
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