Nigeria Issues 3-Month Ultimatum To Foreigners With Expired Visas, Unveils Strict New Entry Ban, E-Visa System

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a final warning to foreigners residing in the country with expired visas, giving them until August 1, 2025 to voluntarily leave or face severe penalties, including permanent entry bans.

In a statement released Friday in Abuja, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced a three-month grace period from May 1 to August 1, 2025, allowing those with expired visas to exit the country without facing penalties.

However, beginning August 2, any foreigner who overstays their visa for more than 12 months will face blacklisting and a permanent ban from entering Nigeria.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service wishes to inform the general public that foreigners with expired visas have until August 1 to return to their home countries voluntarily,” said immigration spokesman ACI Akinsola Akinlabi.

This follows an earlier announcement by Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who outlined a five-year entry ban for expatriates who overstay by six months and a 10 year ban for those exceeding one year. Overstayers will also be liable to a $15 daily fine, effective September 1, 2025.

According to the updated Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, penalties will include:

• $15 per day fine for all overstays

• 3 months and above: $15/day + 5-year entry ban

• 1 year and above: $15/day + permanent blacklisting

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In addition to visa penalties, the NIS also launched a fully digitized e-Visa Application System and Automated Landing and Exit Card platform effective May 1, 2025.

Highlights of the updated visa system include:

• A strictly online e-Visa process with a 48-hour turnaround

• 13 visa categories under the Short Visit Visa (SVV) class

• Visa approval and QR codes delivered via email

• Discontinuation of Visa on Arrival from May 1 (existing visas remain valid until May 30)

• Mandatory completion of electronic landing and exit cards via https://lecard.immigration.gov.ng for all non-Nigerian inbound and outbound travelers

Akinlabi emphasized that the new system will integrate with the Visa Processing Centre to automatically enforce penalties and entry bans for violations.