In a decisive move to reclaim control of its immigration system and clamp down on visa abuses, the Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced sweeping reforms aimed at ensuring accountability, data accuracy, and compliance among foreign nationals residing in the country.
Effective from August 1, 2025, foreigners who overstay their visas in Nigeria will now face severe consequences including a $15 daily fine starting from the day their visa expires. In addition, any foreigner who overstays for more than six months will be slammed with a five-year entry ban, while those who exceed one year will be prohibited from re-entering Nigeria for ten years.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the new penalties during the official launch of the Expatriate Administration System (EAS) in Lagos, a groundbreaking reform project aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s immigration framework. According to him, the current data on foreign nationals is largely unreliable, creating loopholes that threaten national security and economic planning.
“The reality is that the number of expatriates residing in Nigeria is significantly underreported,” the Minister said. “This reform is not about hostility but about structure, accountability, and ensuring that Nigeria is not a dumping ground for illegal residency. No serious country allows its immigration laws to be flouted with impunity.”
As part of this immigration overhaul, the Federal Ministry of Interior will, beginning May 1, 2025, roll out a set of digitized and regulatory tools to enhance tracking and documentation of expatriates. These include:
- Automated Landing/Exit Cards, replacing outdated manual systems and ensuring real-time tracking of entries and exits.
- A new Electronic Visa (e-Visa) system, streamlining application processes and reducing human interference.
- Expatriate Insurance Schemes and upgraded biometric ID cards designed to ensure access to services while providing traceability.
- A revised Expatriate Quota System to reduce abuse and ensure Nigerian citizens are not displaced from job opportunities meant for locals.
These developments, according to Tunji-Ojo, reflect a shift from reactive to proactive immigration management, aligning with global best practices while prioritizing national interest.
Stakeholders in the travel, tourism, and international business sectors have been urged to study the new policies carefully and advise their clients accordingly. Embassies and consular offices have also been briefed to ensure smooth communication to their nationals.
With this bold stance, Nigeria joins the ranks of nations enforcing strict visa compliance rules, sending a clear message: the era of lax immigration enforcement is over. As global mobility increases, the country is positioning itself as not just a hospitable destination, but one where the rules are clear—and must be respected.
For non-compliant expatriates, the clock is ticking.