The Federal Government has announced strict new penalties for expatriates who overstay their visas in Nigeria, warning that violators will face both financial penalties and potential long-term entry bans.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement hosted by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in Ikeja, Lagos, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that beginning August 1, 2025, any foreign national who exceeds their visa duration will incur a fine of $15 per day.
More severe cases of overstay will attract harsher sanctions. Overstaying for more than six months will result in a five-year entry ban, while a one-year overstay will trigger a 10-year ban from re-entering the country.
The minister said the policy is part of a broader immigration reform under the Expatriate Administration System, which officially launches on May 1, 2025. This system aims to strengthen immigration compliance and enhance the accuracy of data on foreign nationals residing in Nigeria.
“Our current records estimate over 50,000 expatriates living and working in Nigeria, but the data is too unreliable for effective policy planning,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
To ease the transition, the government will offer a **three-month grace period** starting May 1, 2025, during which expatriates can regularise their immigration status without facing penalties. Enforcement of the new measures will commence in August.
The Minister also announced the replacement of the current visa-on-arrival policy with a more secure **e-visa system**, which will allow legitimate tourists and business travellers to obtain Nigerian visas within 48 hours. The reform is expected to reduce immigration abuse and streamline the visa application process.
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