The Federal Government has set August 1, 2025, as the deadline to begin issuing stiff penalties to foreigners who have overstayed their visas.
However, it opened an online immigration amnesty portal in July to allow affected individuals to regularise their stay before the penalties take effect.
“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,” Interior Minister, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said on Monday.
He disclosed this at a stakeholders’ sensitisation on major Nigeria Immigration Service innovations in international passenger travel, at the Service headquarters in Abuja.
He also said the recently launched electronic visa regime has processed over 14,000 applications within its first six weeks.
He told members of the diplomatic corps, “Please tell your people to take advantage of the amnesty,” adding that once the grace period lapsed, the law would be enforced 100 per cent.
“I plead with you, we are opening the immigration amnesty portal in July, I think within the next one or two days. Please, for the benefit of our diplomatic corps, encourage your people to take advantage of it.
“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.
“Our laws are not meant to be abused.
Our laws are meant to be respected. And wherever you are from, once you are in Nigeria, you must respect the laws of Nigeria,” he affirmed.
The amnesty is part of a broader reform package first unveiled in April and due to take effect in two phases. From May 1, the Interior Ministry introduced a $15 daily surcharge for each day a visitor remains in the country beyond the date stamped in their passport.
However, it simultaneously offered a three-month moratorium—stretching to July 31—to allow people to regularise their papers without paying the fine.
Beginning August 1, anyone still out of status faces not only the accrued surcharge but a five-year re-entry ban for overstays of six months and a 10-year ban for those who remain a year or more, according to the implementation guidelines published by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The new portal enables holders of expired visa-on-arrival permits, lapsed single-entry visas, or overdue expatriate residence cards to apply online for a stay permit, upload supporting documents, and receive clearance without needing to visit an immigration office.
