Nigeria Immigration Service has launched a nationwide clampdown on foreigners overstaying visas after amnesty expired.
From October 1, violators risk deportation, hefty fines, and long-term re-entry restrictions.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has begun nationwide enforcement against foreigners who overstayed their visas or violated immigration regulations, after the government’s visa-amnesty program expired at midnight on September 30, 2025.
The initiative, which was rolled out on July 5, 2025, gave non-citizens an opportunity to update expired papers without facing penalties. But in a statement released shortly before the deadline, NIS spokesperson, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, confirmed that immigration officers would from October 1 target those holding lapsed Visas on Arrival, expired single or multiple-entry visit and business visas, as well as outdated Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permits and Automated Cards (CERPAC).
Foreigners found to be in breach now risk deportation, fines, and restrictions on re-entry. According to the Service, penalties vary depending on the length of overstay. Stays of three months to one year will attract deportation, a daily fine of $15, or a five-year entry restriction. Overstays beyond a year may result in removal and a ban ranging from 10 years to permanent exclusion.
The NIS explained that the clampdown is designed to ensure compliance with migration laws, strengthen national security, and bring greater accountability to Nigeria’s immigration system.
