By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA: The Nigeria Immigration Service NIS has introduced the graduation of nationwide enforcement in opposition to foreigners who’ve overstayed their visas or violated immigration situations, following the expiration of the Federal Authorities’s visa amnesty initiative.
The amnesty programme, which was launched on July 5, 2025, allowed overseas nationals with expired immigration paperwork to regularize their standing with out penalties. The window formally closed at midnight on September 30, 2025.
In an announcement issued on Tuesday simply minutes earlier than midnight, the Service Public Relations Officer, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, mentioned enforcement operations would start on October 1, focusing on holders of expired Visa on Arrival VoA, expired single or multiple-entry quick go to and enterprise visas, in addition to people with expired Complete Expatriate Residence Permits and Automated Playing cards CERPAC.
International nationals present in violation will face sanctions, together with removing from the nation, fee of penalties, or restrictions from future entry.
Based on the NIS, the penalty framework consists of: Lower than three months’ overstay: removing, fee of $15 per day, or a two-year entry ban.
“Three months to at least one 12 months: removing, fee of $15 per day, or a five-year entry ban.
“One 12 months and above: removing and a 10-year or everlasting entry ban”.
The company burdened that the transfer was geared toward making certain lawful migration, safeguarding nationwide safety, and selling transparency in Nigeria’s immigration system.
The put up Immigration begins crackdown on visa overstayers as amnesty window closes appeared first on Vanguard News.