Starting 1st September, 2025, Nigeria will introduce a strict new penalty for foreigners who overstay their visas: a $15 daily fine for each day spent in the country beyond the approved period. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced this measure as part of broad immigration reforms under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, aiming to curb visa abuse and strengthen border security.
The new rules don’t stop at daily fines. Travelers who overstay by three months or more will face a five-year re-entry ban, while those who stay a year or longer risk being blacklisted with a ten-year or even permanent ban from returning to Nigeria. The NIS has clarified that the overstay tracking system will go live on August 2, 2025, with penalties enforced from September 1, 2025.
To help travelers adjust, authorities are offering a three-month grace period from May 1 to August 1, 2025. During this window, foreigners with expired visas can leave Nigeria without facing penalties.
The government says these changes are designed to promote responsible migration, protect national security, and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
The NIS urges all foreign visitors and expatriates to familiarize themselves with the new regulations and regularize their status before the grace period ends.
