The federal government le by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced stricter immigration penalties.

FG warned that expatriates who overstayed their visas beyond six months will face a five-year entry ban, while one-year overstayed of one year will attract a 10-year ban.

According to the federal government, any of the overstays will incur a daily fine of $15, starting from the visa’s stated exit date.

The penalty will take effect from August 1, 2025, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed.

As reported by The Punch, Tunji-Ojo made the announcement while unveiling the Ministry of Interior’s new Expatriate Administration System during a meeting with the Organised Private Sector and other stakeholders at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association House in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, April 11.

“If you overstay, there will be consequences. Overstaying by six months attracts a five-year ban; one year attracts a 10-year ban. There is also a $15 daily overstay penalty. People claim to be visiting Nigeria for two weeks but stay for 30 years working — that must end.

“While the new measures take effect from May 1, a three-month moratorium will be given to allow expatriates to regularise their status before strict enforcement begins in August,” Tunji-Ojo said.

Among the reforms set to roll out from May 1, 2025, are the automated Landing and Exit Cards, Electronic Visa, Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance, and an upgraded Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card.

Speaking further, the minister added that the measures aimed to curb visa overstays and obtain accurate data on expatriates in Nigeria.