The Federal Government (FG) has announced that the window of opportunity for foreign nationals with expired visas or immigration documents to regularise their stay in Nigeria will close on 30 September.
This move is part of the Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty), introduced jointly by the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to improve compliance with the country’s updated visa framework and bolster immigration management.
The amnesty, which began on 1 May, allows foreign residents and visitors whose immigration status has lapsed — including those with expired Visa on Arrival (VoA), Single or Multiple-Entry Visas, and those holding Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Cards (CERPAC) that have not been renewed within 30 days of expiration — to update their records without incurring penalties.
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Foreign nationals affected by this initiative are encouraged to complete their regularisation process through the official portal: https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng before the deadline.
To facilitate a smooth application process, the NIS has set up a dedicated support team reachable via email at [email protected].
Speaking on the development, the NIS Public Relations Officer, ACI A. S. Akinlabi, stated that the initiative is a testament to the government’s dedication to lawful migration, national security, and operational transparency. He also noted that the agency is committed to enhancing the efficiency and credibility of its immigration procedures.
The notice indicated that the temporary relief is expected to ease the burden on expatriates and foreign nationals who have encountered difficulties renewing their immigration status, particularly due to bureaucratic or logistical setbacks.
For more details, the public and interested parties are advised to visit the official NIS website at www.immigration.gov.ng.
