The Federal Government has announced a five-month amnesty programme for foreign nationals with expired visas to regularise their immigration status without penalties.
In a statement released over the weekend, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Akinsola Akinlabi, said the initiative—titled the Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty)—is aimed at supporting compliance with the country’s new visa regime and strengthening Nigeria’s migration management system.
The amnesty, which began on May 1, 2025, will run until September 30, 2025.
According to Akinlabi, the amnesty applies to:
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Foreign nationals with expired Visa on Arrival (VoA)
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Holders of expired single or multiple-entry visas
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Individuals with expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), where renewal has exceeded 30 days post-expiration
Affected individuals are encouraged to regularise their stay via the designated portal: https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng to avoid future penalties for overstay or non-compliance.
To assist applicants, NIS has established a dedicated support team, reachable via email at amnesty@immigration.gov.ng.
The NIS reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating legal migration, enhancing national security, and ensuring transparency in immigration processes. Further details are available on the official website: www.immigration.gov.ng.
