FG Imposes 10-Year Entry Ban for Visa Overstayers, $15 Daily Fine

• Expatriates who overstay their visas for more than six months will face a five-year entrance ban
• A daily fee of $15 will be charged to those overstaying their visas, beginning from the visa’s specified exit date.
• The Temporary Resident visa, Temporary Work Permit, and revised Expatriate Quota system are additional initiatives designed to address concerns regarding visa overstaying

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the implementation of stricter immigration sanctions in response to ongoing issues related to visa overstays by expatriates in the country.

Eko Hot Blog gathered that starting from August 1st, expatriates who overstay their visas for more than six months will face a five-year entrance ban, while a ten-year ban will be imposed for overstays exceeding a year.

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In addition to the entrance bans, a daily fee of $15 will be charged to those overstaying their visas, beginning from the visa’s specified exit date.

These measures were introduced by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, during a meeting with the Organised Private Sector and stakeholders at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association House in Ikeja, Lagos.

Tunji-Ojo’s presentation also unveiled a range of reforms set to take effect from May 1st, including automated Landing and Exit Cards, Electronic Visas, Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance, and upgraded Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Cards.

The Temporary Resident visa, Temporary Work Permit, and revised Expatriate Quota system are additional initiatives designed to address concerns regarding visa overstaying, while simultaneously gathering more accurate data on the expatriate population in Nigeria.

“Our records indicate fewer than 50,000 expatriates in Nigeria, which we know is inaccurate. We need to establish the true number of foreigners living in the country. A nation without reliable data cannot progress, as data is the foundation of effective planning,” he said.

Under the new system, he explained that Landing and Exit Cards would be automated, adding that expatriates must exit the country on or before their visa expiry date and apply for extensions only from outside Nigeria.

“This is serious. We’re not introducing anything new regarding the landing and exit card, just automating the current paper-based process. In a country of over 230 million intelligent, tech-savvy people, we shouldn’t be using paper cards. Going forward, you must complete your landing and exit cards online,” he said.

He added that the automated process would help track overstayers.

“If you overstay, there will be consequences. Overstaying by six months attracts a five-year ban; one year attracts a 10-year ban. There is also a $15 daily overstay penalty. People claim to be visiting Nigeria for two weeks but stay for 30 years working — that must end,” he said.

While the new measures will take effect from May 1, with a three-month moratorium period provided to allow expatriates time to adjust their visa status before strict enforcement begins in August.

This grace period aims to ensure a smooth transition and enable foreign nationals to comply with the updated regulations.

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Despite the modernization of visa processes through automation, the government emphasized that in-person interviews will remain a requirement for standard visa applications.

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