US Embassy Urges Citizens in Nigeria to Obey New Visa Rules or Face Penalties
US Embassy urges Americans in Nigeria to follow new immigration rules before July 31 deadline.
Non-compliance may lead to heavy fines, visa bans, or denial of future entry into Nigeria.
The United States Embassy in Abuja has issued an urgent notice to American citizens living in Nigeria, advising them to comply with new immigration rules introduced by the Nigerian government.
This comes after a recent directive from Nigerian authorities, as well as a firm stance by the Donald Trump administration in the US warning foreign nationals against overstaying their visas, which could lead to deportation and permanent travel bans.
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had earlier announced that foreigners who remain in the country beyond their visa limits would face serious consequences. He urged those affected to use the immigration amnesty portal to update their status before the deadline at the end of July.
In a notice posted on its official website, the US Embassy called on its citizens to take the Nigerian government’s directives seriously to avoid fines or future travel bans. The statement, dated July 7, 2025, and seen on Monday, reads:
“The US Embassy in Abuja informs US citizens that effective August 1, 2025, the Nigerian Federal Government will begin imposing strict penalties on foreigners who have overstayed their visas. To provide an opportunity for affected individuals to comply with immigration regulations, an online immigration amnesty portal is available until the end of July. The portal allows visitors to regularize their stay before the penalties are enforced.
US citizens currently in Nigeria who have overstayed their visa are strongly encouraged to regularize their stay through the amnesty portal before July 31, 2025. Failure to do so may result in significant financial penalties and long-term restrictions on re-entry to Nigeria. All U.S. citizens are reminded to adhere to Nigerian visa regulations to avoid complications.”
The embassy also highlighted that starting May 1, 2025, the Nigerian Interior Ministry began charging a $15 daily fee for each day a foreigner stays beyond their visa expiration. However, this fee will not apply if individuals regularize their status before the July 31 deadline.
According to the embassy, after the grace period ends, overstayers will begin paying the accumulated daily fees. More severe penalties await long-term violators: those who overstay for six months or more face a five-year ban, while overstays beyond one year carry a 10-year ban from re-entering Nigeria.
The new online portal allows individuals with expired visa-on-arrival documents, expired single-entry visas, or overdue expatriate residence permits to apply for regularization online. This means they can upload their documents and receive clearance without physically visiting immigration offices, skipping queues and extra fees.