FG Introduces Tough Penalties for Visa Overstayers

FG Introduces Tough Penalties for Visa Overstayers 

The Nigerian government has introduced strict new penalties for visa overstayers under the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025. Visa holders who overstay will now face a daily fine of $15, with potential entry bans of up to 10 years.

The announcement was made by Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a stakeholders' engagement in Lagos. The new penalties will officially take effect in May 2025, with enforcement starting in August, allowing visa holders a grace period to comply.

"Starting in August, anyone who overstays will incur a $15 fine for each day they remain illegally in the country," Tunji-Ojo stated. A three-month overstay will result in a five-year ban, while a year-long overstay will lead to a ten-year entry ban.