United States (US) Embassy in Abuja has urged American citizens in Nigeria to take advantage of the Federal Government’s ongoing immigration amnesty before the July 31 deadline, warning that tougher penalties for visa overstays will take effect from August 1.
In an advisory issued by the US Mission, the embassy warned that foreigners who fail to regularise their immigration status before the deadline could face heavy financial penalties and long-term bans from re-entering Nigeria.
According to the advisory, Nigeria introduced a $15 daily surcharge for every day a visitor overstays a visa as part of immigration reforms that came into effect on May 1, 2025.
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However, the Federal Government granted an amnesty period, allowing affected foreigners to regularise their status without paying the accumulated fines until the end of July.
The embassy urged U.S. citizens who have overstayed their visas to use the online immigration amnesty portal to resolve their status before the grace period expires.
“U.S. citizens currently in Nigeria who have overstayed their visa are strongly encouraged to regularise their stay through the amnesty portal before July 31, 2025. Failure to do so may result in significant financial penalties and long-term restrictions on re-entry to Nigeria,” the advisory stated.
It explained that from August 1, visitors who fail to regularise their status will be required to pay the accumulated daily overstay surcharge.
The advisory added that foreigners who overstay their visas for six months or more will face a five-year ban from re-entering Nigeria, while those who remain beyond one year will be barred from returning for 10 years.
The embassy also noted that Nigeria’s newly introduced online immigration portal enables holders of expired visa-on-arrival permits, expired single-entry visas and lapsed expatriate residence cards to apply for stay permits, upload supporting documents and obtain immigration clearance electronically without visiting immigration offices.
According to the U.S. Mission, the digital platform is designed to simplify compliance with Nigeria’s immigration regulations by eliminating physical visits, long queues and additional administrative costs.
The embassy advised all US citizens travelling to or residing in Nigeria to comply with the country’s immigration laws to avoid sanctions under the new visa enforcement regime.