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The Nigerian Government has issued a stern warning to expatriates that those who overstay their visas by more than six months will face a five-year entry ban. Expatriates who exceed a one-year overstay will face a more severe penalty, with a 10-year ban on entry.
In addition to the entry bans, a daily fine of $15 will be imposed on those who overstay, starting from the visa’s specified exit date. This measure will come into effect from 1 August.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this announcement during a meeting with the Organised Private Sector and other stakeholders in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday. He was unveiling the Ministry of Interior’s new Expatriate Administration System.
“Our records suggest there are fewer than 50,000 expatriates in Nigeria, but we know this figure is inaccurate,” Tunji-Ojo stated. “We need to determine the true number of foreigners residing in the country. A nation without reliable data cannot move forward, as data is the cornerstone of effective planning.”
Among the reforms set to be implemented from 1 May are the automated Landing and Exit Cards, the Electronic Visa, the Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance, and an upgraded Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card.
Additional changes include the introduction of the Temporary Resident visa, Temporary Work Permit, and revisions to the Expatriate Quota system.
