As part of sweeping reforms to strengthen visa management and border controls, the Federal Ministry of Interior, in partnership with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has officially launched two new systems: the e-Visa Application System and the Automated Landing and Exit Card.
According to an NIS statement, both systems came into effect on 1 May 2025.
The revised Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 introduces a fully online e-Visa application process, designed to enhance security and streamline visa issuance. Applicants can expect processing times of 48 hours or less. The system accommodates 13 types of Short Visit Visas (SVV), with full details available at https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng. Approved visas, along with QR codes, will be delivered electronically via email. Consequently, the Visa on Arrival option will be discontinued from 1 May 2025, though visas already issued under that scheme remain valid until 30 May 2025. Visas obtained through the e-Visa platform will not be extendable.
Additionally, from 2 August 2025, foreign nationals who overstay their visas will face stricter penalties. These include a $15 daily fine, a five-year entry ban for overstays of three months or more, and permanent blacklisting for overstays exceeding one year. Enforcement of the penalties begins 1 September 2025.
Complementing the e-Visa rollout, the existing manual embarkation and disembarkation cards have been replaced by an electronic landing and exit card system, accessible at https://lecard.immigration.gov.ng. Foreign inbound passengers must complete the landing card online prior to boarding, while all outbound passengers are required to complete the exit card before departure. The system is integrated with the Visa Processing Centre to enforce applicable penalties automatically.
The NIS also announced a grace period from 1 May to 1 August 2025, allowing foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired visas to leave the country voluntarily without penalty.
“All stakeholders are urged to ensure full compliance with the new policies and deadlines,” the NIS stated.
