The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a series of strict measures targeting visa overstays and streamlining the expatriate management system, in a bid to strengthen national security and improve the accuracy of foreigner data within the country.
At a high-profile meeting held Friday with representatives of the Organised Private Sector at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association House in Lagos, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced that expatriates who overstay their visas will now face severe consequences. Specifically, individuals found to have overstayed beyond six months will incur a five-year entry ban, while those staying for one year or more will be banned from re-entering Nigeria for 10 years. In addition, starting August 1, a non-negotiable daily fine of $15 will be imposed, calculated from the visa’s stated exit date.
The new penalties form part of a broader reform initiative that the Ministry of Interior is rolling out under its Expatriate Administration System. Key components of the reform package, effective May 1, include the automation of landing and exit cards, the launch of a new Electronic Visa (E-Visa) system, mandatory Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance, an upgraded Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC), a revamped Temporary Resident Visa & Work Permit, and a revised Expatriate Quota System.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the vital role of accurate data in effective planning, noting that current records suggest fewer than 50,000 foreigners reside in Nigeria—a figure he believes underestimates the true number. “Data is the foundation of effective planning,” he said. To improve data accuracy, the landing and exit cards will now be completed online, and all visa extensions must be applied for outside Nigeria.
The introduction of a new E-Visa system is expected to revolutionize the visa process by enabling visa processing within 48 hours. By replacing the current visa-on-arrival regime—a system criticized for its susceptibility to corruption—the ministry asserts that the new platform will offer a seamless, secure and corruption-resistant alternative. “No more lobbying. It’s a seamless and secure system,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
Additionally, the government is rolling out a mandatory Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance policy designed to defray government expenditures on repatriation. Under the new scheme, insurance will cover repatriation costs rather than requiring a lump sum payment at the time of an overseas return. This insurance will be administered annually, alongside the CERPAC fee, which itself is now fully automated. The revamped CERPAC system will also be integrated with Interpol to enhance tracking of individuals with criminal records or other concerns.
Employers, too, are feeling the pressure. The minister warned that companies will be held accountable for immigration violations committed by their foreign staff, signaling a move toward greater employer responsibility in maintaining compliance.
To ease the transition, the ministry has granted a three-month grace period starting May 1, during which expatriates can regularize their status before the new enforcement measures kick in on August 1.
These comprehensive reforms underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing national security, curbing corruption in the visa process, and ensuring that Nigeria’s borders are managed with precision and transparency.
