FG Launches Online Amnesty Portal for Visa Overstayers, Enforcement Begins August 1
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the activation of an online immigration amnesty portal to allow foreigners who have overstayed their visas to regularize their stay before strict penalties take effect from August 1, 2025.
The move is part of ongoing reforms to digitize immigration services and enforce visa compliance nationwide.
The amnesty portal, expected to go live in early July, will offer a grace period until July 31, during which overstaying foreigners can legalize their presence in Nigeria without incurring penalties. After this window closes, immigration authorities will begin full enforcement of the visa overstay policy.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the announcement during a briefing with members of the diplomatic corps in Abuja, urged foreign missions to inform their nationals residing in Nigeria about the initiative.
He emphasized that the government is committed to managing immigration in a humane but firm manner.
“Please, encourage your people to take advantage of it. Once the amnesty period is over, we will implement the law 100 per cent,” the minister warned.
The amnesty programme follows a phased immigration reform plan rolled out earlier this year. Since May 1, 2025, a $15 daily surcharge has been applied to visa overstayers. However, recognizing the need to provide a pathway for compliance, the government offered a three-month waiver period with the creation of this digital platform to ease registration and documentation.
Through the portal, foreigners will be able to apply online for a Stay Permit, submit the necessary documents, and complete the entire process without needing to physically visit an immigration office. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says the platform is designed to reduce bureaucracy, eliminate bribery, and promote transparency.
Starting August 1, penalties will be strictly enforced. Foreigners who have overstayed their visas by six months or more will face a five-year re-entry ban, while those whose overstay exceeds one year risk being barred from re-entering Nigeria for ten years. The accrued surcharges will also be applied without further exemptions.
The Interior Ministry says these reforms are in line with Nigeria’s broader digital governance agenda. Over the past year, the government has automated passport applications, visa processing, and biometric capture appointments. The e-Visa system, introduced earlier this year, processed over 14,000 applications within its first six weeks. Upcoming features also include platforms for the e-CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit) and e-TWP (Temporary Work Permit).
Dr. Tunji-Ojo disclosed that digitizing immigration and civil service operations has already saved the country nearly ₦1 billion annually, which had previously been lost to inefficiencies and manual record keeping.
The move to regularize foreign residents through an online amnesty is being seen as both a humanitarian gesture and a practical enforcement tool. The government says it hopes to strike a balance between upholding immigration laws and avoiding mass deportations or diplomatic conflicts.
Foreign missions, particularly those from African, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries with large populations in Nigeria, are expected to play a key role in disseminating the information and assisting their citizens with compliance.
