FG offers ‘two month amnesty’ for visa overstay

FG offers ‘two month amnesty’ for visa overstay

The federal government has given a two-month extension of amnesty to foreigners who may have overstayed their visas.

The expired visa initiative aims to improve compliance with the new visa regime and strengthen a secure and transparent migration system.

Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, stated at a meeting with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in March that the government will begin a severe crackdown on irregular migrants in the country on August 1.

As a result, he established a three-month grace period beginning May 1, when the new Expatriate Administration System (EAS) is implemented, and ending August 1, when the government begins enforcement.

ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, Spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), provided an update on the issue, saying, “The initiative, which began on May 1 2025, runs until September 30 2025 and specifically applies to individuals who have either overstayed their visas or violated their visa conditions.”

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According to him, the programme offers a rare opportunity for foreigners currently resident in Nigeria with expired immigration status to regularise their stay without incurring fines.

He said, “⁠The amnesty applies to the following categories: foreign nationals with expired Visa on Arrival (VoA); holders of expired single and multiple-entry visas; and individuals with an expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), where renewal has exceeded 30 days post-expiration.”

According to him, all affected foreign nationals are urged to promptly regularise their stay through (https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng) within the grace period to avoid overstay penalties.

“To ensure the Amnesty application process is seamless, the Nigeria Immigration Service has assembled a support team to assist with Amnesty applications. Contact the support team via email at: amnesty@immigration.gov.ng

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to facilitating lawful migration, safeguarding national security, and promoting transparency and efficiency across all immigration processes. ⁠For further information, kindly visit the Nigeria Immigration website www.immigration.gov.ng.

FG offers ‘two month amnesty’ for visa overstay