The federal government has announced a five-month amnesty period for the regularisation of expired visas, allowing travelers to align with the newly introduced visa policy.
According to the government, the amnesty is aimed at supporting a secure and transparent migration framework.
“The federal government through the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service, announces an Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty).
“This initiative provides a unique window for foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired immigration status to regularize their stay without facing penalties,” the public relations officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Akinsola Akinlabi said at the weekend.
He said in a statement that the initiative, which commenced on 1st May 2025, would run until 30th September 2025.
He further announced that the amnesty specifically apply to individuals who have either overstayed their visas or violated their visa conditions.
He gave the categories of those affected as: Foreign nationals with Expired Visa on Arrival (VoA); Holders of Expired Single and Multiple-Entry Visas and;
Individuals with an Expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), where renewal has exceeded 30 days post-expiration.
Akinlabi urged all affected foreign nationals to promptly regularize their stay through
(https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng) within the grace period to avoid overstay penalties.
Akinlabi, an Assistant Comptroller of Immigration said, “To ensure the Amnesty application process is seamless, the Nigeria Immigration Service has assembled a support team to assist with Amnesty applications. Contact the support team via email at:[email protected]
