The Federal Government has announced stricter immigration penalties, warning that expatriates who overstay their visas beyond six months will face a five-year entry ban, while overstaying for one year will attract a 10-year ban.
Starting August 1, overstaying a visa in Nigeria will attract a daily fine of $15, according to the federal government. This new measure was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a stakeholder meeting with the Organised Private Sector at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association House in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday.
The announcement was made as part of the unveiling of the Ministry of Interior’s new Expatriate Administration System, aimed at improving immigration processes and ensuring better data collection on foreign nationals.
Among the reforms set to begin from May 1 are:
- Automated Landing and Exit Cards
- Electronic Visas
- Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance
- An upgraded Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC)
- A revised Expatriate Quota system
- Introduction of Temporary Resident Visas and Temporary Work Permits
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that these reforms are designed to address visa overstays and collect accurate data on expatriates. “Our records show fewer than 50,000 expatriates in Nigeria, which we know isn’t accurate. Without reliable data, we can’t plan effectively as a nation,” he said.
He explained that the Landing and Exit Cards will now be digital, replacing the outdated paper-based system. “In a tech-savvy nation of over 230 million people, it’s time to move past paper. From now on, landing and exit information must be completed online,” he stated.
The Minister stressed that all expatriates must exit Nigeria before their visa expiry date, and any request for extension must be made from outside the country. He warned of strict penalties: overstaying by six months will result in a five-year ban, while a one-year overstay will attract a 10-year ban, in addition to the $15 daily fine.
“Some claim they’re here for two weeks but stay 30 years and work illegally — that must stop,” he said.
Although the reforms take effect May 1, the government is offering a three-month grace period for expatriates to regularize their status before full enforcement begins in August.
Despite the automation of visa processes, in-person interviews will still be required for standard visa applications.
