Immigration begins crackdown on visa overstayers as amnesty window closes

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Nigeria Immigration Service NIS has announced the commencement of nationwide enforcement against foreigners who person overstayed their visas oregon violated migration conditions, pursuing the expiration of the Federal Government’s visa amnesty initiative.

The amnesty programme, which was introduced connected July 5, 2025, allowed overseas nationals with expired migration documents to regularize their presumption without penalties. The model officially closed astatine midnight connected September 30, 2025.

In a connection issued connected Tuesday conscionable minutes earlier midnight, the Service Public Relations Officer, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, said enforcement operations would statesman connected October 1, targeting holders of expired Visa connected Arrival VoA, expired azygous oregon multiple-entry abbreviated sojourn and concern visas, arsenic good arsenic individuals with expired Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permits and Automated Cards CERPAC.

Foreign nationals recovered successful usurpation volition look sanctions, including removal from the country, outgo of penalties, oregon restrictions from aboriginal entry.

According to the NIS, the punishment model includes: Less than 3 months’ overstay: removal, outgo of $15 per day, oregon a two-year introduction ban.

“Three months to 1 year: removal, outgo of $15 per day, oregon a five-year introduction ban.

“One twelvemonth and above: removal and a 10-year oregon imperishable introduction ban”.

The bureau stressed that the determination was aimed astatine ensuring lawful migration, safeguarding nationalist security, and promoting transparency successful Nigeria’s migration system.

The station Immigration begins crackdown connected visa overstayers arsenic amnesty model closes appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.