The Nigerian government has completed the installation of Electronic Gates (E-Gates) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, marking a major step in its immigration reform drive. As part of these reforms, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced strict new penalties for foreigners who overstay their visas, effective from September 1, 2025.
According to a statement from the NIS spokesperson, the new policy imposes a daily fine of $15 for every day a foreigner remains in the country beyond their approved stay. In more serious cases, overstayers will also face bans from re-entering the country. Those who overstay by three months or more will be fined and barred from re-entry for five years, while those who stay a year or longer risk permanent blacklisting.
To ensure smooth implementation, the overstay tracking system will be activated from August 2, 2025, ahead of full enforcement on September 1. Additionally, the NIS has declared a three-month amnesty from May 1 to August 1, allowing foreigners with expired visas to voluntarily leave Nigeria without facing penalties.
These changes are part of a broader immigration overhaul. Beginning May 1, Nigeria has moved to a fully digital visa application system, ending its Visa on Arrival policy. The new framework introduces 13 categories of Short Visit Visas (SVVs) and promises processing of e-Visas within 48 hours, with QR-coded approvals sent by email.
In addition, all travelers must now complete electronic landing and exit cards via the NIS portal before arriving or departing Nigeria. Foreign travelers must fill out the landing card before boarding their flight, while outbound passengers must complete the exit card before leaving the country.
The NIS emphasized that the updated system is integrated with its Visa Processing Centre, allowing for automated enforcement of fines and bans. Authorities have urged travelers, businesses, and other stakeholders to ensure full compliance with the new rules.
This reform, the NIS said, aims to establish a transparent, efficient, and secure immigration system aligned with global best practices.
