The Federal Government has announced a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s immigration system, introducing stricter penalties for expatriates who overstay their visas and unveiling a new digital administration framework aimed at curbing abuse of entry permits.
Speaking on Friday during a stakeholder meeting at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association House in Ikeja, Lagos, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed that expatriates who overstay their visas beyond six months will face a five-year ban, while overstaying for one year will attract a 10-year ban. Additionally, a daily fine of $15 will be imposed, beginning from the expiry date on the visa, with enforcement starting from August 1, 2025.
The announcement came as part of the rollout of the Ministry’s new Expatriate Administration System, which takes effect May 1. The reforms include the launch of an Electronic Visa system, automated Landing and Exit Cards, an annual Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance policy, and a fully digitized Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC).
“Overstaying your visa will now come with consequences. A country of over 230 million people cannot continue to operate with outdated, paper-based systems,” Tunji-Ojo said. “Our goal is accurate data and accountability. These measures will help us know exactly how many foreigners are in Nigeria and under what conditions.”
The Minister emphasized that expatriates must leave the country upon visa expiry and can only apply for extensions from outside Nigeria. He added that the electronic visa system will enable applicants to receive approval within 48 hours, replacing the current visa-on-arrival process which he described as “prone to abuse.”
In another significant move, the government will require all expatriates to subscribe to a mandatory annual insurance policy that covers potential repatriation costs. This decision, Tunji-Ojo explained, is designed to reduce the federal government’s expenditure on deportation, which has strained the ministry’s budget.
Employers will also be held liable for any immigration violations committed by their foreign employees, and the automated CERPAC system will be integrated with Interpol databases to enhance security.
A three-month grace period will be given for expatriates to regularize their status before enforcement begins in August.
