The Federal Government has unveiled an amnesty programme designed to enable foreign nationals residing in Nigeria with expired immigration documents to regularise their stay without incurring penalties.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), is aimed at improving compliance with Nigeria’s updated visa regime and strengthening the country’s migration management system.
According to a communiqué issued by the NIS in Abuja, the amnesty window—which commenced on 1 May 2025—will run until 30 September 2025. It is specifically targeted at individuals who have overstayed their visas or breached the terms of their immigration status.
The amnesty covers the following categories:
Foreign nationals with expired Visa on Arrival (VoA);
Holders of expired Single or Multiple-Entry Visas;
Individuals with expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) whose renewal has exceeded 30 days beyond expiry.
The agency’s National Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, urged affected individuals to take advantage of the amnesty window by applying through the official portal at https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng. He emphasised that applications must be submitted within the stipulated timeframe to avoid sanctions related to overstaying or non-compliance.
To assist with the process, the Nigeria Immigration Service has established a dedicated support team available via email at [email protected]. Additional information can be found on the official website: www.immigration.gov.ng.
