By Charles Pemu 
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the immediate commencement of a nationwide enforcement operation targeting foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas or violated immigration conditions. This enforcement follows the expiration of the Federal Government’s three-month visa amnesty initiative at midnight on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
The amnesty, introduced on July 5, 2025, had allowed foreign nationals with expired documents, including the Visa on Arrival (VoA), short visit visas, business visas, and expired Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permits and Automated Cards (CERPAC), to regularize their status without penalty.
Service Public Relations Officer, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, stated that enforcement began on October 1. Foreign nationals found in violation will face sanctions, including removal from the country, payment of penalties, or restrictions from future entry.
The penalty framework for overstaying is as follows:
- Less than three months’ overstay: Removal, payment of $15 per day, or a two-year entry ban.
- Three months to one year: Removal, payment of $15 per day, or a five-year entry ban.
- One year and above: Removal and a 10-year or permanent entry ban.
The NIS emphasized that the crackdown is aimed at ensuring lawful migration, safeguarding national security, and promoting transparency in Nigeria’s immigration system.