The Federal Government has rolled out a series of stricter immigration reforms, including steep penalties for expatriates who overstay their visas, in a bid to curb abuse of the system and enhance national planning.
Speaking at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association House in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that foreign nationals who overstay their visas by six months will face a five-year entry ban, while those who remain in the country a year past their visa expiration will be barred for 10 years.
In addition, a daily fine of $15 will apply for each day overstayed, effective August 1st, 2025.
The Minister disclosed these measures while unveiling the Ministry’s new Expatriate Administration System, which includes a broad set of reforms aimed at improving transparency, reducing corruption, and establishing accurate data on foreigners living in Nigeria.
Key Features of the New Immigration Reforms:
- Automated Landing and Exit Cards
- Electronic Visa (e-visa) system (visas to be processed within 48 hours)
- Temporary Resident Visa and Temporary Work Permit
- Revised Expatriate Quota System
- Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance Policy
- Fully Automated CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card) integrated with Interpol
Tunji-Ojo highlighted the importance of transitioning from manual to digital processes, saying, “We’re not introducing anything new regarding the landing and exit card, just automating the current paper-based process. A country with over 230 million intelligent, tech-savvy people shouldn’t be using paper cards.”
He added that all expatriates must now apply for visa extensions from outside the country, and those currently in Nigeria have a three-month moratorium (from May 1 to July 31) to regularize their status before strict enforcement begins.
Holding Employers Accountable
In a significant policy shift, employers will now be held accountable for immigration infractions committed by their foreign staff, reinforcing the government’s stance on shared responsibility in maintaining legal residency.
Insurance to Replace Costly Deportation
The introduction of a mandatory annual Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance policy will replace the former practice of demanding lump-sum repatriation deposits. The Minister explained that Nigeria has spent billions on deportation, often exceeding budget allocations.
“We spend money meant for infrastructure on deporting people. This policy will ensure insurance covers repatriation costs and helps reduce the financial burden on the government,” he said.
A Push for Data-Driven Governance
According to the Minister, Nigeria currently records fewer than 50,000 expatriates, a figure he believes is inaccurate. “A nation without reliable data cannot plan effectively. These reforms will help us get the true numbers and ensure foreigners contribute meaningfully to the economy,” Tunji-Ojo added.
These sweeping reforms aim to strengthen national security, improve economic planning, and ensure that Nigeria’s immigration system supports development while protecting national interests.