The Nigeria Immigration service(NIS), has announced a policy aimed at curbing the menace of visa overstaying in the country. The policy, is aimed at ensuring that foreigners comply with the terms and conditions of their visas.
The NIS has warned that anyone who overstays their visa for three months or more will be banned from entering the country for five years, while those who overstay for one year or more will be banned for 10 years.
The new policy is seen as a significant departure from the previous practice, where foreigners who overstayed their visas were often allowed to leave the country without facing any serious consequences. However, with the new policy, the NIS is sending a strong message that visa overstaying will no longer be tolerated.
“We are committed to ensuring that foreigners who come to Nigeria comply with the terms and conditions of their visas.
“Overstaying a visa is a serious offense, and we will not hesitate to impose penalties on those who flout the law. We believe that this new policy will help to reduce the incidence of visa overstaying and promote a culture of compliance among foreigners in Nigeria,” the service said in a statement.
The new policy has been welcomed by many Nigerians, who have long complained about the lack of enforcement of immigration laws in the country.
“This is a step in the right direction. For too long, foreigners have been taking advantage of our country’s lax immigration laws. It’s time for us to take control of our borders and ensure that those who come to Nigeria do so in a lawful and orderly manner,” said a Lagos-based businessman.
However, the policy has also raised concerns among some foreigners who are currently living in Nigeria who in response, said, “This policy is too harsh. What about those of us who have been living in Nigeria for years and have contributed to the country’s economy? Are we going to be punished for minor infractions?”, a foreigner who didn’t want his name in print asked.
The NIS has assured that the policy will be implemented in a fair and transparent manner, and that those who have genuine reasons for overstaying their visas will be given a chance to regularize their stay, adding, “We will consider each case on its merits. However, we will not tolerate deliberate attempts to flout the law. Those who overstay their visas without valid reasons will face the full weight of the law.”
The new policy is expected to come into effect immediately, and foreigners who are currently living in Nigeria are advised to ensure that their visas are up to date to avoid any penalties.
