FG to fine visa overstayers $15 daily, imposes 10-year entry bans

By Seyi Babalola

The Federal Government has issued stiffer immigration sanctions, warning that expats who overstay their visas for more than six months would face a five-year entrance ban, while overstaying for a year will result in a ten-year ban.

Furthermore, the government said that overstaying will result in a $15 daily fee beginning with the visa’s specified exit date, effective from August 1.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, made the announcement at a meeting with the Organised Private Sector and other stakeholders at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association House in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday.

Tunji-Ojo made the remark while presenting the Ministry of Interior’s new Expatriate Administration System.

Among the reforms set to roll out from May 1 are the automated Landing and Exit Cards, Electronic Visa, Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance, and an upgraded Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card.

Others include the Temporary Resident visa, Temporary Work Permit, and revised Expatriate Quota system.

Tunji-Ojo said the measures aim to curb visa overstays and obtain accurate data on expatriates in Nigeria.

“Our records indicate fewer than 50,000 expatriates in Nigeria, which we know is inaccurate. We need to establish the true number of foreigners living in the country. A nation without reliable data cannot progress, as data is the foundation of effective planning,” he said.

Under the new system, he explained that Landing and Exit Cards would be automated, adding that expatriates must exit the country on or before their visa expiry date and apply for extensions only from outside Nigeria.

“This is serious. We’re not introducing anything new regarding the landing and exit card, just automating the current paper-based process. In a country of over 230 million intelligent, tech-savvy people, we shouldn’t be using paper cards. Going forward, you must complete your landing and exit cards online,” he said.

He added that the automated process would help track overstayers.

“If you overstay, there will be consequences. Overstaying by six months attracts a five-year ban; one year attracts a 10-year ban. There is also a $15 daily overstay penalty. People claim to be visiting Nigeria for two weeks but stay for 30 years working — that must end,” he said.

While the new measures take effect from May 1, a three-month moratorium will be given to allow expatriates to regularize their status before strict enforcement begins in August.

Despite the automation of visa processes, in-person interviews will still be required for standard visa applications.