The Nigerian government has announced a 3-month grace period for foreigners staying in the country with expired visas. This means that from now until August 1, 2025, anyone whose visa has expired can leave Nigeria without paying any fine.
The announcement was made by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in a statement released on Friday, May 2, 2025. The statement, signed by NIS Public Relations Officer Akinsola Akinlabi, explained that this grace period is a one-time opportunity.
Starting from September 2025, anyone who overstays their visa will face strict penalties. These include:
- A daily fine of $15
- A ban of up to five years from entering Nigeria again
- In some cases, a permanent blacklist
The NIS is also launching a new online system for people entering or leaving the country. From now on, all travelers must fill out a landing card when arriving in Nigeria and an exit card when leaving. Both cards are available online at lecard.immigration.gov.ng.
This move is aimed at improving immigration control and encouraging foreigners to follow visa rules. Foreigners in Nigeria with expired visas are advised to take this chance to leave legally before the grace period ends.
