Nigerian Gov’t Grants Visa Overstayers Amnesty To Regularise Status

In a bid to boost compliance with the New Visa Regime and strengthen a secure and transparent migration system, the federal government, through the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has introduced the Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty).

This amnesty window comes on the heels of increasing concerns about immigration compliance and the federal government’s renewed efforts to implement the New Visa Regime effectively.

According to a statement issued by the NIS public relations officer, ACI A. S. Akinlabi, the initiative offers a special window for foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired immigration status to regularise their stay without incurring penalties.

Akinlabi stated that the five-month amnesty programme, which began on May 1, 2025, will run until September 30, 2025, and applies specifically to individuals who have either overstayed their visas or violated their visa conditions.

The statement further explained that the amnesty covers other categories, including Foreign nationals with expired Visa on Arrival (VoA); holders of expired Single and Multiple-Entry Visas, and individuals with expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) where the renewal is more than 30 days overdue.

The NIS advised all affected foreign nationals to take advantage of the five-month window by regularising their status through the official portal: https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng within the grace period to avoid sanctions.

To ensure a smooth application process, the NIS has set up a dedicated support team to assist applicants, adding that inquiries can be directed via email to: [email protected]

The Nigeria Immigration Service reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating lawful migration, safeguarding national security, and promoting transparency and efficiency in all immigration processes.

LEADERSHIP reports that in recent months, the federal government has threatened stricter enforcement measures, including arrests, deportations, and penalties for visa overstayers.  The introduction of this Expired Visa Initiative offers a humane and strategic approach to encourage self-regularisation, improve migration data accuracy, and reduce the number of undocumented foreigners living in the country.