The Federal Government has announced a three-month grace period for all foreigners residing in Nigeria with expired visas to leave the country without facing penalties.
This directive was issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in a statement released on Friday, May 2, 2025.
The announcement, signed by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, outlines new enforcement measures targeting overstaying foreigners.
According to the NIS, “A 3-month grace period allows foreigners with expired visas to exit Nigeria without penalty, ending August 1st, 2025.”
However, after the grace period lapses, overstayers will be subjected to strict penalties.
“Overstaying now attracts daily fines of ‘$15, plus bans of up to five years or permanent blacklisting’ starting from September 2025,” the statement warned.
In addition, the NIS introduced new digital procedures for travelers. All inbound foreign nationals are now required to complete an online landing card, while outbound travelers must fill out an exit card. These forms are available via lecard.immigration.gov.ng.
The latest directive is part of the government’s broader effort to enforce immigration laws and streamline border control processes in the country.
