Visa Regime : FG Unveils Amnesty Initiative For Foreigners

To enhance compliance with the New Visa Regime and reinforce a secure and transparent migration system, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service has unveiled an Amnesty initiative for foreign nationals.

The initiative provides a unique window for foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired immigration status to regularize their stay without facing penalties.

A statement by the Service Public Relations Officer Akinsola Akinlabi says the initiative, which commenced on the 1st May 2025, runs until 30th September 2025, and specifically applies to individuals who have either overstayed their visas or violated their visa conditions.

According to the statement, the amnesty applies to the following categories of people, foreign nationals with expired Visa on Arrival , holders of Expired Single and Multiple-Entry Visas, individuals with an Expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), where renewal has exceeded 30 days post-expiration.

It urges affected foreign nationals to promptly regularize their stay within the grace period to avoid overstay penalties.

The statement says to ensure the Amnesty application process is seamless, the Nigeria Immigration Service has assembled a support team to assist with Amnesty applications noting that the Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to facilitating lawful migration, safeguarding National Security, and promoting transparency and efficiency across all immigration processes.

PR/Nkiru Njemanze