Stricter immigration penalties have been declared by the federal government, which warns that foreign nationals who overstay their visas for more than six months will be prohibited from entering the country for five years, and those who overstay for a year would be prohibited from entering for ten years.
The government also announced that, as of August 1, overstaying will result in a $15 day punishment, beginning on the specified leave date of the visa.
This was revealed by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Friday at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association House in Ikeja, Lagos, during a meeting with the Organised Private Sector and other interested parties.
During the launch of the Ministry of Interior’s new Expatriate Administration System, Tunji-Ojo made the announcement.
The automated Landing and Exit Cards, Electronic Visa, Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance, and an updated Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card are some of the measures that will take effect on May 1.
These include the updated Expatriate Quota system, Temporary Work Permit, and Temporary Resident visa.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the actions are intended to reduce visa overstays and gather precise information on foreigners living 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 take effect from May 1, a three-month moratorium will be given to allow expatriates to regularize their status before strict enforcement begins in August.
Despite the automation of visa processes, in-person interviews will still be required for standard visa applications.
According to the Minister, the new Electronic Visa system, also launching on May 1, will allow applicants to obtain visas within 48 hours.
This replaces the existing visa-on-arrival regime, which he described as vulnerable to corruption and influence-peddling.
“We’re introducing the e-visa to make access to Nigeria easier for tourists and business travellers. Globally, population equals market, and we want to open our borders to legitimate opportunities. The e-visa eliminates bottlenecks. No more lobbying. It’s a seamless and secure system,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
He further announced the introduction of an annual Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance policy. This, he said, was necessary due to the ministry consistently exceeding its budget for repatriating Nigerians.
“We spend billions annually on repatriation. Just a month ago, we had exhausted our yearly budget and had to request an extra N25m. That money should be used to build infrastructure, not deport individuals. We needed a sustainable solution,” he said.
He explained that instead of demanding a lump sum for repatriation, which could exceed $10,000, the government has opted for a mandatory insurance policy.
Under this scheme, the insurance company covers repatriation costs for defaulters, saving the government money.
“All over the world, there’s personal liability insurance. Your stay here should benefit both you and the host country — not leave Nigeria worse off. The Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance is now mandatory and will be paid annually along with the CERPAC,” he said.
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Additionally, he disclosed that there would be no cost increases and that the CERPAC process will be entirely automated. “To improve the tracking of criminals and people with dubious intentions, the system will be integrated with Interpol,” Tunji-Ojo continued.
Additionally, Tunji-Ojo highlighted that employers would henceforth be responsible for any immigration infractions that their foreign workers committed.
On May 1, the electronic edition of CERPAC is also expected to go live.
