NIS Sets To Roll Out 2 Innovative Systems

The Federal Ministry of Interior in conjunction with the Nigeria Immigration Service is to roll out the e-Visa Application System and Automated Landing and Exit Card, effective from 1st May 2025.

This is part of ongoing efforts to reform the Nigeria Visa Policy,
and internal control of the movement of foreigners in and out of Nigeria, in realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration.

This is contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Akinsola Akinlabi in Abuja.

According to the statement, the e-Visa application process is strictly online with a processing time of 48 hours or less.

It says once approved, visas and the QR codes will be sent electronically via applicant’s email.

Therefore, it says Visa on Arrival will be officially discontinued as the new e-Visa takes off on 1st May 2025.

The statement further explains that in addition to the introduction of the e-Visa, the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 now makes it mandatory for foreigners who overstay their visas to be liable to penalties, effective from 2nd August 2025.

It also says Automated landing and exit cards have been introduced for inbound and outbound passengers into Nigeria.

According to the statement, for inbound passengers excluding Nigerians, the landing card must be duly completed online before boarding, while for the outbound passengers, the exit card must be duly completed online before departure.

It also says that an
exit card system is synchronized with the Visa Processing Centre and will automatically apply penalties, including visa bans, where applicable.

The Nigeria Immigration Service wishes to further inform the general public that a window period of three (3) months from 1st May to 1st August 2025 shall be granted to allow foreigners residing in Nigeria with expired visas to return to their home country voluntarily without penalty.

All stakeholders are also encouraged to ensure strict compliance with the new policies and timelines.

It stresses that the Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to implementing a more efficient, transparent, and secure Immigration system that aligns with global best practices.

Nkiruka Njemanze