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New immigration policy targets foreign nationals who failed to regularise stay before Sept. 30 deadline
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Offenders urged to report voluntarily or face arrest, detention, and deportation
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NIS warns Nigerians against harbouring illegal immigrants or aiding visa violations
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has introduced a new Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme (PAVRDP) to address the growing number of foreign nationals who failed to regularise their immigration status after the expiration of the government’s Expired Visa Initiative.
In a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI) Akinsola Akinlabi, the NIS confirmed that the programme will commence on October 13, 2025, across all immigration commands nationwide.
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“All affected persons are directed to report themselves immediately at the nearest Immigration Command for registration and documentation,” Akinlabi stated.
Compliance or Deportation
According to the Service, each case will be reviewed individually under the Immigration Act, 2015 and other relevant regulations. Those who fail to comply risk arrest, detention, and removal from Nigeria, along with long-term entry bans.
“Any foreigner who has breached the conditions of his or her visa and fails to report will be arrested, detained, and removed from Nigeria, as provided by the extant immigration laws,” the statement added.
The NIS also warned that assisting or harbouring illegal immigrants constitutes a punishable offence under Nigerian law. It advised private individuals, companies, and organisations to desist from aiding foreigners in violating visa or residency rules.
Background: The Expired Visa Initiative
The NIS had earlier launched the Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty) on May 1, 2025, allowing foreign nationals with expired visas or residence permits to regularise their stay without penalties. Initially slated to end on August 1, the window was later extended to September 30, 2025, to accommodate more applicants.
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The initiative covered a wide range of cases — including expired Visas on Arrival (VoA), expired multiple-entry visas, and expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Cards (CERPAC) that exceeded 30 days post-expiration.
However, with the amnesty period now over, the Service has begun nationwide enforcement operations to identify and remove foreigners who have overstayed their legal stay or violated entry conditions.
Immigration’s Message to the Public
The NIS said the new Post-Amnesty Programme aims to ensure compliance with Nigeria’s immigration laws while offering a final window for voluntary regularisation.
It reaffirmed its commitment to fair assessment, noting that foreigners who willingly report will be treated in accordance with due process.
The Service also cautioned Nigerians to verify any job or visa-related offers through official channels, reiterating that it is not conducting any ongoing recruitment exercise.
