Nigeria Immigration Service Begins Crackdown on Foreigners With Expired Visas

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has begun nationwide enforcement against foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas or violated entry conditions, following the expiration of the Federal Government’s Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty) program on September 30, 2025.

The amnesty, introduced in May 2025, allowed foreigners with expired immigration status to regularize their stay without penalties. It was initially scheduled to end on August 1 but was later extended until September 30.

“With the expiration of the Amnesty period, effective October 1, 2025, enforcement actions will commence nationwide against foreign nationals who have overstayed their visa or violated their entry conditions,” the NIS said in a notice signed by ACI Kinsola Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer.

Who is affected

According to NIS, the crackdown targets:

• Holders of expired Visa on Arrival (VoA).
• Holders of expired single or multiple-entry short visit/business visas.
• Individuals with expired Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permit and Automated Card (CERPAC).

Penalties for overstaying

The immigration service outlined stiff consequences for violators:

• Less than 3 months overstay: Removal, $15 per day fine, or 2-year entry ban.
• 3 months to 1 year: Removal, $15 per day fine, or 5-year entry ban.
• 1 year and above: Removal, 10-year entry ban, or permanent ban.

The agency warned that foreigners who fail to comply will face sanctions, including deportation and restrictions on future entry.

Why it matters

The amnesty program was part of a broader immigration reform that introduced a new e-Visa platform, automated landing and exit cards, and the phasing out of Visa on Arrival. Officials say the enforcement is aimed at safeguarding national security and maintaining order within Nigeria’s immigration system.