FG to automate landing, exit cards for foreigners from May 1

In a bid to boost border security and modernize immigration procedures, the Federal Government has announced that, starting May 1, 2025, all landing and exit cards for foreigners entering or leaving Nigeria will be fully automated.

The new policy means that foreign travelers will now be required to complete these forms online before boarding flights to or from Nigeria.

This major development was revealed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a joint press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday, alongside the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.

According to Tunji-Ojo, the initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance the ease of travel while ensuring a more secure and efficient immigration process. He emphasized that the digital system would not only eliminate paperwork delays at entry and exit points but also strengthen Nigeria’s overall border management framework.

Tunji-Ojo clarified that the new system is free of charge and aimed solely at improving national security and data management..

He said, “We’ve always had the exit and landing cards, but in a manual format—you had to fill out a paper form. But Nigeria is a country of 230 million brilliant people, and we must lead the pack when it comes to technology. In view of that, we are automating the process, and everything will take effect from May 1, 2025.

“So, the landing and exit cards will be filled online before boarding and must be presented to airlines before you can be allowed on board. The responsibility for coordinating and issuing regulations to airlines lies with the NCAA, and we’ve agreed today that the NCAA will handle that, as they are as committed as we are to protecting our country, securing our borders, and upholding our national sovereignty.

“In addition, we’ll be introducing other measures which we’ll explain more explicitly later. We’ve also agreed that the e-visa will make it easier for people to come into Nigeria while enhancing national security. Applications will be processed online.

“There is already a centralised visa approval centre at the immigration headquarters. Officers have been trained, equipped, and the system is integrated with major global criminal databases, including Interpol. This will allow for better background checks for those entering Nigeria. The landing and exit cards are free. No one is paying for them. It’s purely for security and record-keeping purposes.”

He said that to ensure a smooth rollout, both ministries have agreed to form a joint team comprising officials from the NCAA and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The minister added that the team is expected to finalize regulatory protocols and implementation frameworks within one week.

He said, “We’ve decided today to work together to protect one interest—the Nigerian interest. The NCAA and NIS will each nominate members to a joint implementation team that will handle the frameworks, regulations, and protocols. This should be completed within a week, hopefully sooner, so that the regulations can be issued to the airlines.”

Tunji-Ojo also announced a three-month amnesty period before full enforcement begins on May 1.

“The programme starts on May 1, 2025. We’ve also decided on a three-month amnesty period before full enforcement. Implementation begins May 1, but the amnesty allows foreigners who have overstayed their visas or breached immigration laws to come forward and regularize their status at immigration offices.”

The minister recalled that collaboration between the two ministries had earlier led to the deployment of the Advanced Passenger Information System, which has significantly improved border surveillance.

According to him, several individuals on Interpol’s red notice list have recently been apprehended upon entry into Nigeria through the system.

“These are people who, before this administration, would have found their way into Nigeria unnoticed. But thanks to our collaboration, they’ve been arrested and handed over to Interpol,” he said.

Also speaking, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, explained how the automated system would function in practice.

He said that upon arrival in Nigeria, a foreigner’s entry card—completed online—would be verified using their passport number. The same applies to the exit card upon departure.

“If you’re a foreigner and you walk up to a boarding desk, airline staff will ask for your exit card. If you’ve overstayed, the system will flag it, and the airline will refer you to immigration officers,” Keyamo explained.

He noted that consequences for violations could include fines, visa cancellation, or being blacklisted from entering Nigeria for up to 10 years.