The Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have launched two new solutions to modernize visa processing and track the movement of foreigners in and out of Nigeria.
These innovations include an e-Visa Application System and an Automated Landing and Exit Card.
In a statement released by the NIS, the new e-Visa system officially took effect on May 1, 2025.
Nigeria’s 2025 Visa Policy introduces an end-to-end online e-Visa application process with improved security measures, the statement read.
The e-Visa system offers 13 types of Short Visit Visas (SVV), and processing time is now 48 hours or less. Applicants will receive visas and QR codes electronically via email once approved.
Visa on Arrival will be officially discontinued as the new e-Visa system takes effect, the statement continued. Visas obtained through the e-Visa platform cannot be extended. However, visas already issued under the old system will remain valid until May 30, 2025.
Stricter Penalties for Overstaying
Nigeria’s updated visa policy also enforces new penalties for foreigners who overstay their visas, effective from August 2, 2025.
Overstaying fines are set at $15 per day. Those exceeding three months will face an additional five-year entry ban. Foreigners who stay beyond one year will be permanently blacklisted from re-entering Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the traditional paper embarkation and disembarkation cards have been replaced with an electronic landing and exit card.
Inbound passengers—excluding Nigerians—must complete the landing card online before boarding, the statement noted. Outbound passengers must fill out the exit card online before departure. The exit system is directly linked to the Visa Processing Centre and will automatically apply penalties, including visa bans where applicable.
The NIS added that a three-month grace period, from May 1 to August 1, 2025, will allow foreigners residing in Nigeria with expired visas to leave the country voluntarily without penalties.
All stakeholders are expected to comply with the new policies and deadlines, the statement concluded.
Like 👍, Comment, share this article, and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
