Speaking at a meeting with representatives from the Organised Private Sector and other key stakeholders at the NECA House in Lagos on Friday, Minister Tunji-Ojo detailed the Ministry's new Expatriate Administration System. A central component of this new system involves stricter enforcement against those who remain in Nigeria beyond their visa's validity.
New Penalties for Visa Overstays
Effective from August 1st, 2025, after an initial three-month grace period starting May 1st, 2025, the government will impose significant consequences for overstaying. Expatriates will incur a daily fine of $15 commencing from the day after their visa expires. Furthermore, accumulating an overstay period of six months will result in a five-year ban from re-entering Nigeria. An overstay extending to one year or more will attract an even stricter penalty: a 10-year entry ban.
"This is serious," Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized, highlighting the government's resolve. "If you overstay, there will be consequences... People claim to be visiting Nigeria for two weeks but stay for 30 years working — that must end." He clarified that expatriates needing to extend their stay must apply for such extensions before their current visa expires and generally from outside Nigeria.
Digital Transformation of Immigration Processes
A significant thrust of the reform package, set to begin rolling out on May 1st, 2025, is the digitalization of key immigration procedures.
- Automated Landing and Exit Cards: The current paper-based system for arrival and departure cards will be phased out. Expatriates and visitors will be required to complete these formalities online. "In a country of over 230 million intelligent, tech-savvy people, we shouldn’t be using paper cards," the Minister stated, noting that automation will also provide a more reliable mechanism for tracking entries, exits, and potential overstayers.
- Electronic Visa (E-Visa): Replacing the often-criticized visa-on-arrival system, a new E-Visa platform will be launched. This system aims to allow legitimate tourists and business travellers to apply for and receive visas online within 48 hours. Tunji-Ojo described the previous system as vulnerable to "corruption and influence-peddling," whereas the E-Visa is designed to be a "seamless and secure system" that eliminates bottlenecks and lobbying. Standard visa applications, however, will still necessitate in-person interviews.
- Upgraded and Automated CERPAC: The Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC) process will also be fully automated, launching electronically on May 1st without any increase in the associated fees. Crucially, the Minister revealed this system will be integrated with Interpol databases to enhance security checks and flag individuals with criminal backgrounds or "questionable intentions."
Mandatory Insurance and Data Accuracy
Addressing the significant financial burden incurred by the government in repatriating Nigerians and, presumably, deporting foreign nationals, a new mandatory Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance policy is being introduced. Minister Tunji-Ojo explained that the ministry frequently exhausts its repatriation budget, requiring supplementary funds that could otherwise be used for development. "We spend billions annually on repatriation... We needed a sustainable solution," he said. This annual insurance policy, paid alongside the CERPAC, will cover repatriation costs if an expatriate defaults, shifting the liability from the government to the insurer.
The Minister also stressed the critical need for accurate data on the expatriate population, citing current figures as unreliable. "Our records indicate fewer than 50,000 expatriates in Nigeria, which we know is inaccurate," he stated. "We need to establish the true number of foreigners living in the country. A nation without reliable data cannot progress, as data is the foundation of effective planning." The automated systems are seen as key tools in achieving this goal.
Employer Accountability and Other Reforms
The reforms also place a greater onus on employers. Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized that companies employing foreign nationals will now be held more accountable for ensuring their employees comply with immigration regulations.
While details were less specific, the announcement also mentioned revisions to the Temporary Resident visa, Temporary Work Permit, and the overall Expatriate Quota system as part of the comprehensive reforms rolling out from May 1st.
The government's initiative represents a determined effort to modernize Nigeria's immigration framework, leveraging technology to improve efficiency, bolster national security, and ensure that the presence of expatriates is properly documented and managed according to the law. Stakeholders, particularly businesses reliant on foreign expertise, will need to adapt quickly to these new digital processes and stricter compliance requirements.