Visa Overstayers to Pay $15 Daily Fine, Face Entry Ban – FG Introduces New Immigration Penalties
The Nigerian government has announced tough new penalties for visa overstayers, introducing a daily fine of $15 and potential entry bans of up to 10 years, under the upcoming Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ engagement on Friday at NECA House, Lagos. He stated that while the penalties will officially take effect in May, enforcement will begin in August 2025, giving visa holders a grace period to comply.
“We are giving people time to adjust. From August, if you overstay, you will be fined $15 for each day you remain in the country illegally,” Tunji-Ojo said. He explained that a three-month overstay would lead to a five-year ban, while overstaying for a year or more would attract a ten-year re-entry ban.
The move, he noted, is part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to combat visa abuse and ensure compliance. “It’s about national security, responsible migration, and protecting the integrity of our borders,” he said.
As part of NVP 2025, the visa application process has been fully digitised. Travellers can now apply online, track their application status in real time, and receive electronic approvals—streamlining a previously tedious process.
The stakeholders’ meeting included NIS officials, representatives of foreign missions, and private sector players in travel and immigration. The reforms also touched on changes to the Expatriate Quota System, reinforcing the government’s drive to modernize and tighten immigration control.
