Nigerian govt offers 5-month window to regularise expired visas

The Federal Government has introduced a five-month amnesty period aimed at allowing foreign nationals in Nigeria to legalise their stay without penalties under a new visa regularisation programme.

According to the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the initiative is designed to support the implementation of a new visa policy and enhance the country’s migration control system.

“The federal government through the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service, announces an Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty).

“This initiative provides a unique window for foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired immigration status to regularize their stay without facing penalties,” the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, said in a statement released over the weekend.

He stated that the programme commenced on May 1, 2025, and will be in effect until September 30, 2025.

Akinlabi clarified that the amnesty covers individuals who have overstayed their visas or failed to comply with visa conditions. Categories affected include holders of expired Visa on Arrival (VoA), expired single and multiple-entry visas, and expatriates whose Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) expired more than 30 days ago.

He urged eligible individuals to visit https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng and take advantage of the grace period to avoid sanctions.
“To ensure the Amnesty application process is seamless, the Nigeria Immigration Service has assembled a support team to assist with Amnesty applications. Contact the support team via email at: [email protected],” Akinlabi, who is an Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, added.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to “facilitating lawful migration, safeguarding National Security, and promoting transparency and efficiency across all immigration processes.”