…says the amnesty portal allows foreigners who have overstayed their visas to regularize their stay.
The iNews Times reports that the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the launch of an online immigration amnesty portal in July, the portal allows foreigners who have overstayed their visas to regularize their stay before penalties take effect on August 1, 2025.
The Interior Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who disclosed this on Monday said the amnesty is part of a broader reform package aimed at curbing visa abuse and promoting responsible migration.
The minister noted that the new policy introduces a $15 daily surcharge for each day a visitor remains in the country beyond the date stamped in their passport.
However, a three-month moratorium was offered from May 1 to July 31, allowing individuals to update their status without paying the fine.
Beginning August 1, anyone still out of status will face not only the accrued surcharge but also a five-year re-entry ban for overstays of six months and a 10-year ban for those who remain a year or more.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has introduced several digital innovations to streamline immigration processes and enhance security. These include the e-Visa Application Channel, e-CERPAC, Landing and Exit Cards, and Temporary Work Permits.
The e-Visa system allows for seamless online applications, eliminating the need for physical visits to immigration offices. The e-CERPAC integrates residence permits into a digital document, simplifying processes for foreign nationals residing in Nigeria.
The minister also highlighted the success of the e-passport automation drive, which began in January 2024. The drive has “cured the madness of scarcity” and eliminated petty graft once fueled by desperate applicants.
By May 2025, officials stated that 99% of passport issuance was end-to-end digital, with biometric capture and booklet pick-up compressed into 20-minute slots. The automation drive has also saved the government nearly N1 billion annually by scrapping a contract for physical archiving of passport and visa documents.
The electronic visa regime, launched recently, has processed over 14,000 applications within its first six weeks.
Tunji-Ojo expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating that the e-visa system would spur economic growth and make it easier for travelers to obtain visas while maintaining national security.
Additional digital platforms, including the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card and the electronic Temporary Work Permit, are set to go live within the next week.
The Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, emphasized that the new visa regime is designed to leverage technology to streamline processes, enhance security, and improve the overall experience for travelers and stakeholders.
