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The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched an online immigration amnesty portal. The new site will allow foreigners who have overstayed their visas to regularise their stay before full enforcement of penalties begins on August 1, 2025.
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According to Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the amnesty initiative is part of sweeping immigration reforms designed to curb irregular migration and enhance national security through digital innovation. He was speaking this week at a stakeholders’ sensitisation session held at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.
“Encourage your nationals to take advantage of this amnesty window. After July 31, the law will be enforced 100 per cent,” said Tunji-Ojo, addressing members of the diplomatic community.
The amnesty portal is available via the NIS website (www.immigration.gov.ng). It enables foreigners with expired visas, visa-on-arrival permits, or outdated expatriate documents to apply for a Stay Permit online. A fully digital system, it requires no in-person visits to immigration offices. It also aligns with Nigeria’s broader transition to electronic visa (e-visa) and residency processing platforms.
Three-month grace period ends July 31
The policy follows the introduction of a $15 daily overstay fine implemented from May 1, 2025, but also included a three-month moratorium allowing visa overstayers to regularise their stay without incurring penalties. The amnesty programme ends on July 31, after which penalties will be strictly enforced.
The portal supports overstayers in applying for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) or other legal stay options. Applicants must upload passport information, proof of residence, and a valid explanation for overstaying.
The measure is part of Nigeria’s strategy to reduce the number of undocumented migrants, improve border control, and ensure compliance with national security regulations. The Nigeria Immigration Service is also leveraging technology to track overstays via digital landing and exit cards connected to global security databases.
Digital Reforms Saving Costs and Improving Services
The interior minister also announced that terminating a manual contract for document archiving has saved the government nearly ₦1 billion annually, thanks to automation.
“The manual archiving was costing us almost a billion naira every year,” Tunji-Ojo noted. “Now, we verify immigration documents digitally, enhancing transparency and data integrity.”
Other digital reforms include:
- A fully online passport application system launched in January 2024.
- Biometric capture appointments streamlined into 20-minute time slots.
- A robust electronic visa system (e-Visa), which processed over 14,000 applications within six weeks of launch.
Tunji-Ojo revealed that the government will roll out two additional platforms this week:
- e-CERPAC – electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card.
- e-TWP – electronic Temporary Work Permit platform, aimed at curbing misuse of short-term employment visas.
Immigration Tech Push Enhancing Security & Efficiency
Comptroller General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap, also spoke on the migration to digital platforms. They include the e-Visa Application Channel, e-CERPAC, and the automated Landing and Exit Cards.
“These solutions enhance security, streamline services, and improve the experience for international visitors and residents,” said Nandap.
Nigerian government believes these immigration reforms and digital upgrades will position Nigeria as a secure, tech-driven destination for tourism, investment, and employment. The reforms will also tackle the long-standing challenges of irregular migration and document fraud.
