The United States Embassy in Abuja has issued an urgent advisory to American citizens residing in Nigeria, warning them to resolve any visa overstay issues before July 31, 2025, to avoid severe penalties under Nigeria’s newly enforced immigration policy.
Following recent declarations by Nigeria's Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Nigerian government will begin full enforcement of visa overstay penalties starting August 1, 2025. These measures include:
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A $15 daily fine for each day of unlawful stay, retroactively applied from May 1, 2025
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Five-year re-entry bans for overstays of six months
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Ten-year bans for overstays of one year or more
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Permanent bans for those found guilty of visa fraud
To aid compliance, the government has launched an online amnesty portal available until the end of July. This platform allows users to regularize their stay, apply for extensions, and submit required documents without visiting immigration offices.
The U.S. Embassy encouraged its citizens to take advantage of this limited-time amnesty to avoid financial penalties and future travel restrictions, emphasizing the importance of compliance with Nigerian immigration laws amid the country’s broader efforts to strengthen border control and curb visa abuses.