The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to foreign nationals residing in Nigeria, declaring new punitive measures for expatriates who violate the country’s immigration laws by overstaying their visas. Beginning August 1, 2025, any expatriate found to have exceeded the duration of their approved stay will be subjected to a daily fine of $15, in addition to facing possible long-term entry restrictions.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this disclosure over the weekend during a stakeholder meeting with members of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) House in Ikeja, Lagos. He explained that the policy forms part of the government’s broader effort to overhaul expatriate regulation and enhance compliance within the nation’s immigration framework.
According to the Minister, individuals who overstay by more than six months will automatically incur a five-year ban from re-entering Nigeria, while those whose overstay extends beyond one year will be barred from the country for a decade. These sanctions, he stressed, are designed to deter deliberate visa violations and reinforce Nigeria’s sovereignty over its immigration system.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo also unveiled the forthcoming rollout of the Expatriate Administration System, scheduled to launch on May 1, 2025. The new system aims to streamline the management of foreign nationals in the country and close long-standing data gaps in the documentation of expatriates. He stated that while there are currently over 50,000 expatriates working and living in Nigeria, the figure remains unreliable, posing a challenge to national planning, internal security, and policy implementation.
To facilitate a smooth transition, the federal government will initiate a three-month grace period beginning May 1, during which expatriates are encouraged to regularise their immigration status without facing immediate penalties. At the end of the grace period, enforcement of the new regime will commence in full force by August.
The Minister further noted that the introduction of the Expatriate Administration System will go hand-in-hand with reforms to the country’s visa processes. Notably, the current visa-on-arrival mechanism will be phased out and replaced with a fully automated e-visa platform. Under this new arrangement, tourists and legitimate business travellers will be able to apply for and receive Nigerian visas within 48 hours, reducing room for abuse while enhancing transparency and efficiency.
These sweeping reforms, Tunji-Ojo stated, reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to tightening immigration controls, fostering a safer environment for investment, and aligning Nigeria’s immigration practices with global standards. He urged companies operating in Nigeria and foreign nationals alike to support the transition by adhering strictly to the new regulations and ensuring that all immigration-related obligations are met in a timely and lawful manner.
