By Palma Ileye
As part of the ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria Visa Policy, internal control of the movement of foreigners in and out of Nigeria, in realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration, the Federal Ministry of Interior in conjunction with the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has rolled out two innovative solutions namely; e-Visa Application System and Automated Landing and Exit Card, effective from 1st May 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement, signed by Akinsola Ainlabi, the Service Public Relations Officer. On the E-Visa regime, the NIS said that following the 2024 review of Nigeria’s Visa policy, the updated 2025 policy introduces an e-Visa system with enhanced security protocols.
“The e-Visa application process is strictly online from end to end; Processing time for e-Visas will be 48 hours or less; The e-Visa application system introduces thirteen (13) Visa types of Short Visit Visa (SVV).
“Visa on Arrival will be officially discontinued as the new e-Visa takes off on 1st May 2025; Visas obtained through the e-Visa Channel are not extendable; Visa on Arrival already issued will remain valid until 30th May 2025,” the Service said.
For fines and penalities, it said, “In addition to the introduction of the e-Visa, Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 now makes it mandatory for foreigners who overstay their visas to be liable to the following penalties (effective from 2nd August 2025): Overstay Penalties (Effective from 1st September 2025): $15 per day, 3 months & above: $15/day + 5-year entry ban and 1 year & above: $15/day + blacklisting (permanent entry ban).”
“Automated landing and exit card have been introduced for inbound and outbound passengers into Nigeria. “For the inbound passengers (excluding Nigerians), the landing card must be duly completed online before boarding.
“For the outbound passengers, the exit card must be duly completed online before departure. “The exit card system is synchronized with the Visa Processing Centre and will automatically apply penalties, including visa bans, where applicable,” it explained.
The Nigeria Immigration Service also inform the general public that a window period of three (3) months from 1st May to 1st August 2025 shall be granted to allow foreigners residing in Nigeria with expired visas to return to their home country voluntarily without penalty.
