Nigeria to fine Visa overstayers $15 Daily, enforce entry bans August

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a new policy that will impose a daily fine of $15 on travellers who overstay their visas, alongside entry bans of up to ten years, effective from August 2025.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known during a stakeholders’ engagement session held on Friday at NECA House in Lagos. The meeting focused on key reforms being implemented by the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), including changes to the Expatriate Quota system and the upcoming Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025.

According to the minister, although the penalties will officially be in place by May 2025, there will be a grace period until August to allow travellers to adjust to the new policy without facing sanctions.

The new Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 introduces a penalty structure where visa overstayers will be charged $15 for each extra day they remain in the country after their visa expires. In addition, any traveller who overstays for three months will be banned from re-entering Nigeria for five years, while those who remain illegally for a year or more will receive a ten-year ban.

Mr. Tunji-Ojo stressed that these measures are part of a broader effort to enforce compliance, protect national security, and encourage responsible migration. He added that the Nigeria Immigration Service will be fully in charge of implementing the penalty system.