The Federal Government has announced August 1, 2025, as the date when strict penalties will begin for foreigners who overstay their visas in Nigeria.
In preparation, an immigration amnesty portal is being launched in July to allow individuals with expired documents to regularise their stay before the deadline.
Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance stance once the grace period expires.
“Once the amnesty period is over, we will implement the law 100 per cent and, of course, there will be a penalty for overstaying in Nigeria,” he stated during a stakeholder meeting at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja.
He called on diplomats to advise their nationals to take advantage of the amnesty opportunity. “I plead with you… encourage your people to take advantage of it,” he said, reiterating that Nigeria’s immigration laws must be respected.
The amnesty is part of a broader reform that began in April. From May 1, the government started imposing a $15 daily fine on overstayers, but it also introduced a three-month moratorium ending July 31, allowing individuals to legalise their stay without penalties.
Starting August, violators will face both the accrued fines and potential bans—five years for overstaying beyond six months and 10 years for overstaying beyond a year. The new online system caters to expired visa-on-arrival holders, single-entry visas, and expatriate cards, allowing applicants to apply and get cleared digitally without visiting immigration offices.
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Dr. Tunji-Ojo also revealed that cancelling physical archiving of immigration documents saved the government nearly ₦1 billion annually.
“We cancelled the physical presentation [and] manual archiving that was costing us almost a billion a year,” he said.
The automation of passport applications, which began in January 2024, now enables applicants to complete processes entirely online, from submitting forms to uploading documents.
According to officials, the final stages—biometric capture and booklet collection—have been shortened to 20-minute appointments.
As a result of these innovations, the passport backlog of 204,000 was cleared by late 2024, and almost all new issuances are now handled digitally.
Tunji-Ojo added that this shift has eliminated scarcity and the corrupt practices it fostered. “If you want to kill corruption, kill scarcity,” he said.
The e-visa platform has already processed over 14,000 applications in its first six weeks. He expressed confidence that minor glitches would be resolved soon, citing the government’s hands-on approach. “Even yesterday in my house, the CGIS was there… We were working because… you must make sure it works,” he said.
He stressed that the digital visa and permit systems are vital for Nigeria’s development. “To me, when somebody needs a visa to Nigeria, and all he is looking for is who knows the minister… that is not how to grow a country,” he added.
In line with the digital overhaul, Tunji-Ojo announced the imminent rollout of the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC) and the Temporary Work Permit (e-TWP), both of which will be automated to curb abuse. “That era when people will come on TWP almost for free, keep renewing over and over… is gone,” he declared.
Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, also highlighted innovations such as e-Gates, landing/exit cards, and a control centre that will oversee operations. “These digital solutions leverage technology to streamline processes, enhance security, and improve the overall experience for travellers and stakeholders,” she said.
Nandap added that the e-Visa system removes the need for physical visits, while the e-CERPAC simplifies residency documentation and the e-TWP speeds up work permit processing.
The government believes these reforms mark a significant step toward securing Nigeria’s borders and improving efficiency within the immigration system.
