The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced tough new immigration policies to tackle the issue of visa overstays by expatriates. Starting August 1, foreigners who remain in Nigeria beyond their visa expiration will face severe penalties, including entry bans and daily fines.
According to Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, expatriates who overstay their visa by six months will receive a five-year ban, while overstays of one year or more will attract a 10-year entry ban. Additionally, a $15 daily fine will be charged for every extra day spent in the country after visa expiration.
Tunji-Ojo made this announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) House in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday. The measures are part of the Ministry’s newly introduced Expatriate Administration System, which rolls out May 1.
Key Reforms in Nigeria’s Immigration System
- Automated Landing and Exit Cards
- Electronic Visa (e-Visa) System with 48-hour approval
- Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance Policy (mandatory)
- Automated Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC)
- Temporary Resident Visa & Work Permit Upgrades
- Revised Expatriate Quota System
Why the Reform?
The Minister stressed that Nigeria lacks accurate data on expatriates, with current records showing fewer than 50,000, a figure he says is inaccurate.
“A nation without data cannot plan. We must know how many foreigners live and work here,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
He emphasized that all landing and exit cards will now be completed online, ending the manual, paper-based system. Visa holders must now exit Nigeria before their visa expires or apply for extensions from outside the country.
E-Visa System Replaces Visa-on-Arrival
Tunji-Ojo also announced that the existing visa-on-arrival scheme would be replaced with a more secure and faster e-Visa system, eliminating influence-peddling and corruption.
“No more lobbying. The e-visa is seamless, secure, and opens Nigeria up to real business and tourism opportunities,” he said.
Mandatory Insurance for Expatriates
To curb the high cost of repatriating foreigners, a compulsory annual Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance will now cover the costs instead of the government.
“We exhausted our deportation budget within a month and had to request an extra N25 million,” the Minister explained.
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This insurance will be paid annually along with CERPAC fees. Employers will also be held accountable for any immigration violations by their foreign staff.
Enforcement Timeline
The new immigration system takes effect on May 1, but a three-month moratorium will allow expatriates to regularize their status before full enforcement begins in August.
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