By Grace Chigbu
Foreign nationals in Nigeria with expired visas have been given a strict three-month deadline to leave the country or face heavy penalties, including a daily fine, long-term entry bans, or permanent blacklisting.
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) made the announcement on Friday in an official statement released by its Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi.
According to the statement, foreigners overstaying their visas will be fined$15 per day beginning after a grace period that ends on August 1, 2025. After this date, overstayers could face a ban of up to five years, or in some cases, permanent blacklistin from re-entering the country.
The NIS emphasized the importance of compliance, stating:
“A 3-month grace period allows foreigners with expired visas to exit Nigeria without penalty, ending August 1, 2025.”
In addition to the exit deadline, the NIS introduced new digital entry and exit protocols for international travelers. These include a mandatory online landing card for all incoming foreigners and an exit card for those leaving the country. Both documents will be available on the NIS official website.
This move is part of a broader effort to strengthen immigration control and digital compliance in Nigeria’s border management system.
