The Federal Government has introduced a stricter immigration policy to curb visa overstays in Nigeria
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that individuals who overstay their visas by three months will face a five-year entry ban, while those who remain in the country illegally for up to a year will be barred for ten years.
“If you overstay your Nigerian visa for three months, we will ban you for five years. If you overstay for one year, we will ban you for ten years,” Tunji-Ojo declared.
As part of broader immigration reforms, the Minister also introduced a three-tier compliance list to categorize foreign nationals based on their adherence to visa regulations:
- White List – Foreign nationals who fully comply with visa rules and are welcome to enter Nigeria.
- Grey List – Individuals with minor infractions who have paid the necessary penalties.
- Black List – Those with serious violations, particularly concerning national security or significant abuse of immigration laws.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that these measures are aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s immigration system, improving border control, and ensuring strict enforcement of visa regulations. He also announced the introduction of automated landing and exit cards, requiring travelers to complete digital forms before boarding, which will be integrated with global security databases for pre-arrival screenings.
The government has urged all foreign nationals to comply with visa rules and seek proper extensions when necessary to avoid penalties. These reforms align with global best practices and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining a structured and secure immigration framework.
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