The Nigerian government has declared that travellers who overstay their visas will, from August, face a daily fine of $15 and risk a ban of up to five years from re-entering the country, while it is recalled that under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, the government has introduced a new penalty system to deter visa abuse.
Penpushing reports that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known on Friday during a stakeholders’ engagement held at NECA House held in Lagos, explaining that although the penalties will officially begin in May, there will be a grace period until August 2025, during which visa overstayers will not be penalized
The Minister emphasized that this, will allow visa holders time to adjust to the new policy before the full enforcement begins in August, adding that the penalty system is part of broader efforts to ensure compliance, protect national security, and promote responsible migration.
Penpushing further reports that Tunji-Ojo pointed out that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) will be responsible for enforcing the penalties, stressing that travellers who overstay for three months will face a five-year ban, while those who overstay for one year or more will be banned for ten years.
The Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025, has also digitised the visa application process, while travellers can now apply for visas online, track the status of their applications in real time, and receive approvals electronically.
Penpushing also reports that stakeholders at the meeting included officials from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), representatives of foreign missions, and private sector players in the travel and immigration industry.
Meanwhile, the meeting focused on various reforms being introduced by the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), including the Expatriate Quota and the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025, among other ongoing immigration reforms.
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