The United States Embassy in Abuja has urged all American citizens residing in Nigeria to resolve any visa overstay issues before July 31 or risk severe penalties under Nigeria’s newly implemented immigration policy.
The advisory follows recent announcements by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, who disclosed that the Federal Government will begin enforcing strict measures against visa overstays.
These include the imposition of daily fines, multi-year bans on re-entry, and permanent bans for those found guilty of visa fraud.
In a statement published on its website on July 7 and titled “Message for U.S. Citizens in Nigeria on Changes in Nigerian Visa Policy,” the U.S. Embassy said that effective August 1, 2025, the Nigerian government will begin fully implementing the new penalties for foreigners who have remained in the country beyond the validity of their visas.
To provide a window of opportunity for individuals to rectify their immigration status, the Nigerian government has introduced an online amnesty portal.
The portal, which will remain open until the end of July, enables users to apply for extensions, upload documents, and regularise their stay without visiting immigration offices.
The embassy urged U.S. citizens who have overstayed to make use of this portal before the deadline, warning that failure to comply could result in serious consequences.
As part of the new enforcement measures, the Nigerian government began charging a daily fine of $15 for each day a foreigner remains in the country unlawfully, starting from May 1, 2025.
While the amnesty period allows individuals to correct their status without paying this fine, those who fail to do so by July 31 will be required to pay all accumulated charges.
Individuals who overstay for six months or more will be banned from entering Nigeria for five years, while those who overstay for one year or longer will face a 10-year ban.
In cases involving fraudulent visa activities, the penalty will be a permanent ban from re-entry.
The U.S. Embassy emphasised that compliance with Nigerian immigration regulations is essential to avoid fines, bans, and other complications.
It also encouraged U.S. citizens to take advantage of the online system, which simplifies the process and eliminates the stress and potential corruption associated with in-person visits to immigration offices.
The embassy’s message comes as the Nigerian government steps up efforts to tighten its immigration system and ensure better enforcement of visa policies.
The enforcement phase begins in full on August 1.
