The Federal Government has unveiled stricter immigration measures, warning that expatriates who overstay their visas by six months will face a five-year entry ban, while those who overstay for one year will receive a 10-year ban
In addition to the bans, a daily fine of $15 will be imposed on overstayers beginning from the expiration date on their visas.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement during the launch of the Ministry’s new Expatriate Administration System at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association House in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday. The penalties will come into full effect from August 1, following a three-month grace period.
Tunji-Ojo said the reforms aim to curb visa violations and provide accurate data on expatriates in Nigeria. “Our records show fewer than 50,000 expatriates in Nigeria, which is clearly inaccurate. A nation without reliable data cannot progress,” he said.
Key reforms launching from May 1 include:
- Automated Landing and Exit Cards
- Electronic Visa (E-Visa) System
- Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance
- Upgraded Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC)
- New Temporary Residence Visa and Work Permit Categories
- Revised Expatriate Quota System
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that expatriates must leave Nigeria by the expiration date on their visas, with any extensions to be applied for from outside the country. “You must complete your landing and exit cards online. Paper-based processes are no longer acceptable,” he said.
The new e-visa system, also launching May 1, will allow applicants to obtain a visa within 48 hours, replacing the current visa-on-arrival process, which the minister said is prone to abuse.
“We’re opening our borders to genuine travelers and investors. No more lobbying or influence. The process will now be fast, seamless, and transparent,” he said.
Additionally, all expatriates will now be required to enroll in an annual Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance policy, which replaces the government’s costly repatriation expenses.
“We spend billions every year on repatriation. Just last month, we exhausted our yearly budget and had to request N25 million more. That money should go into development, not deportation,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He added that the new insurance policy will be paid annually alongside the CERPAC fee and will cover personal liabilities and repatriation costs.
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