Federal Govt Targets Foreigners With Expired Visas

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched a nationwide crackdown on foreign nationals staying illegally in the country, following the expiration of a three-month visa amnesty programme. The grace period, which began on July 5, 2025, allowed migrants with expired documents to regularise their stay without penalties. It ended at midnight on September 30.

Effective from October 1, enforcement operations are now targeting individuals whose visas or residency permits have lapsed. This includes holders of expired Visa on Arrival, short-stay business visas, and Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permits and Automated Cards (CERPAC).

Foreigners found in breach of immigration conditions risk deportation, financial penalties, or future entry bans. The NIS, through its spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi, said the move is part of efforts to uphold lawful migration and protect national security.

The agency reiterated its commitment to a transparent immigration process and warned that those in violation would face strict consequences under Nigerian law.