The federal government has launched a temporary amnesty programme for foreigners with expired visas, allowing them to regularise or leave Nigeria penalty-free before September 30.
The federal government has introduced an amnesty programme for foreigners in Nigeria with expired visas or immigration documents. Officially titled the Expired Visa Initiative, the scheme began on May 1, 2025, and will run until September 30, 2025. It offers ‘overstayers’ the chance to either regularise their stay or exit the country voluntarily without penalties.
The Ministry of Interior, in partnership with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), is implementing the scheme, which covers individuals with expired visas on arrival, lapsed single or multiple-entry visas, and expatriates with Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Cards (CERPACs) overdue by more than 30 days.
Applications are submitted through amnesty.immigration.gov.ng with required documents uploaded online. The NIS explained the initiative aims to “encourage lawful migration, improve foreign resident data accuracy, and enhance national security.”
Authorities warned that defaulters who fail to apply before the deadline risk fines and deportation, stressing that the programme is temporary and underscores Nigeria’s commitment to a transparent immigration system.