As of October 1, 2025, the National immigration service (NIS) has launched a nationwide enforcement drive targeting foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas or violated immigration laws.
This comes immediately after the Federal Government’s visa amnesty initiative officially ended on September 30, 2025, which allowed individuals to regularize their status without penalties.
The enforcement applies to foreign nationals holding expired Visa on Arrival (VoA), single or multiple-entry short visit or business visas, Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permits (CERPAC), and expired automated cards.
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Foreign nationals found in violation of immigration laws face strict penalties. Those who overstayed for less than three months may be required to pay $15 per day for each day overstayed and could be removed from the country or receive a two-year entry ban. Individuals who overstayed between three months and one year may pay $15 per day for each day overstayed and risk a five-year entry ban. Anyone who has overstayed for over one year faces removal and a minimum 10-year or permanent entry ban.
The NIS emphasized that strict compliance with immigration regulations is crucial for maintaining national security and ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s borders. Foreign nationals are urged to regularize their status immediately to avoid penalties, deportation, or future bans.
Those needing to regularize their stay can visit the Nigeria Immigration Service official website for guidance on obtaining a Stay Permit and completing the necessary procedures to legalize their residence in Nigeria.
The crackdown marks a serious enforcement measure by the Federal Government, signaling that non-compliance will no longer be tolerated, and foreign nationals must act promptly to ensure they remain in the country lawfully.
