The Federal Government has announced stringent new immigration rules aimed at curbing visa overstays by expatriates in Nigeria, including a 10-year entry ban for those who overstay their visas by a year, and a $15 daily fine for each day overstayed, starting from August 1, 2025.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the new policies on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting with the Organised Private Sector at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) House in Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the minister, individuals who overstay their visas by six months will face a five-year ban, while those staying beyond 12 months will be banned from re-entering Nigeria for a decade. The measures are part of broader reforms under the Ministry’s new Expatriate Administration System, which rolls out fully from May 1.
“Effective August 1, any foreign national who overstays their visa will be fined $15 per day, starting from the visa’s expiration date. This is to ensure compliance and accurate data on expatriates in the country,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He added that the current estimate of under 50,000 expatriates living in Nigeria is grossly inaccurate, stressing the need for a data-driven approach to immigration management.
As part of the reforms, the government will automate several immigration processes including Landing and Exit Cards, Electronic Visa (e-Visa) issuance, Temporary Work Permits, and an upgraded Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC). The new system is expected to replace the current visa-on-arrival regime, which Tunji-Ojo described as prone to abuse and corruption.
“Applicants will now be able to get visas within 48 hours under the e-visa system. No more lobbying or backdoor influence. We’re closing the gaps,” the minister declared.
A three-month moratorium will be granted beginning May 1, allowing expatriates with expired or incorrect documentation to regularise their status before the strict enforcement starts in August.
In addition to enforcement measures, the government has introduced a mandatory Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance policy. This, Tunji-Ojo explained, would shift the burden of deportation and repatriation costs to insurance companies, saving the federal government billions annually.
“The cost of repatriating individuals shouldn’t be on taxpayers. Insurance is the standard globally, and it’s now part of our system,” he said, noting that the premium will be paid annually alongside the CERPAC fee.
Employers will also face increased scrutiny under the new system, as they will be held liable for violations committed by their foreign employees.
The electronic version of the CERPAC, integrated with Interpol systems, will be launched on May 1, and will enhance background checks and the tracking of individuals with criminal records.
The minister reiterated that the overall goal of the reforms is to streamline immigration processes, ensure national security, and attract genuine investors and tourists by offering a transparent, efficient visa regime.
