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FG imposes 10-year entry bans for visa violation, $15 daily fine come August 1st
VISA: As part of the new initiatives to improve security apparatus in Nigeria, especially around the borders to curb visa overstays and obtain accurate data on expatriates, the Federal Government has announced stricter immigration penalties, warning that expatriates who overstay their visas beyond six months will face a five-year entry ban, while overstaying for one year will attract a 10-year ban.
The government said overstaying will attract a daily fine of $15, starting from the visa’s stated exit date, effective from August 1st 2025.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during a meeting with the Organised Private Sector and other stakeholders at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association House in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday. Tunji-Ojo made the announcement while unveiling the Ministry of Interior’s new Expatriate Administration System.
Among the reforms set to roll out from May 1 are the automated Landing and Exit Cards, Electronic Visa, Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance, and an upgraded Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card. Others are Temporary Resident visa, Temporary Work Permit, and revised Expatriate Quota system.
Tunji-Ojo said the measures aim to curb visa overstays and obtain accurate data on expatriates in Nigeria.
“Our records indicate fewer than 50,000 expatriates in Nigeria, which we know is inaccurate. We need to establish the true number of foreigners living in the country. A nation without reliable data cannot progress, as data is the foundation of effective planning,” he said.
Under the new system, he explained that Landing and Exit Cards would be automated, adding that expatriates must exit the country on or before their visa expiry date and apply for extensions only from outside Nigeria.
“This is serious. We’re not introducing anything new regarding the landing and exit card, just automating the current paper-based process. In a country of over 230 million intelligent, tech-savvy people, we shouldn’t be using paper cards. Going forward, you must complete your landing and exit cards online,” he said.
He stated further that if you overstay, there will be consequences. Overstaying by six months attracts a five-year ban; one year attracts a 10-year ban. There is also a $15 daily overstay penalty. People claim to be visiting Nigeria for two weeks but stay for 30 years working which must end.
Accordingly, while the new measures take effect from May 1, a three-month moratorium will be given to allow expatriates to regularize their status before strict enforcement begins in August.
Despite the automation of visa processes, in-person interviews will still be required for standard visa applications.
According to the Minister, the new Electronic Visa System, will allow applicants to obtain visas within 48 hours without lobbying starting May 1st.
He further announced the introduction of an annual Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance policy. This, he said, was necessary due to consistent exceeding of budget for repatriating Nigerians by the ministry of interior.
The minister said the ministry spend billions annually on repatriation. Saying that the ministry exhausted the yearly budget and had to request an extra N25m. Money that should be used to build infrastructure instead of deporting individuals. There must be sustainable solution, he said.
He explained that instead of demanding a lump sum for repatriation, which could exceed $10,000, the government has opted a mandatory insurance policy which covers repatriation costs for defaulters.
“All over the world, there’s personal liability insurance. Your stay here should benefit both you and the host country instead making Nigeria worse. The Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance is now mandatory and will be paid annually along with the Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC)”, he said.
Tunji-Ojo revealed further that the Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card process would be fully automated, without fees increase. “The system will be integrated with Interpol to enhance the tracking of criminals and individuals with questionable intentions. He said employers would now be held accountable for immigration violations committed by their foreign employees.
