Nigeria Immigration Service extends amnesty window to regularise immigration status
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the extension of the Expired Visa Initiative (“the Scheme”), an amnesty programme that allows foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas to regularise their records or depart the country without penalties. The announcement was communicated in a circular dated 5 July 2025 (hereinafter “the Circular”).
Recall that the NIS had earlier in May 2025, announced a three-month grace period for the amnesty programme. The grace period was scheduled to run from 1 May to 1 August 2025, with penalties for non-compliance set to take effect from 2 August 2025. However, by the Circular, the NIS has extended the grace period to 30 September 2025.
We have provided overleaf, key highlights of the Circular and our views on this latest development:
Highlights of the Circular
- Grace period
The grace period will now run from 1 May to 30 September 2025, providing affected individuals with additional time to regularise their immigration status in Nigeria without incurring any penalties.
- Amnesty options
Based on the modalities for the three-month grace period announced in May 2025, affected individuals only had the option of departing the country without incurring any penalties. However, the Circular has introduced the option of in-country regularisation.
- Categories of affected individuals
The Scheme specifically applies to foreign nationals who have either overstayed their visas or violated their visa conditions. These individuals have been classified into three (3) categories:
a. Foreign nationals with expired Visa on Arrival (VoA)
b. Holders of expired single and multiple-entry visas
c. Individuals whose Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) have expired and not been renewed within 30 days of expiration.
- Pathway to regularisation
Affected individuals are expected to regularise their status through the NIS designated website. Further, individuals requiring support during the process may contact the NIS by email.
What does this mean for businesses and foreign nationals?
i. Fines and penalties
The fines and penalties for overstay will now take effect from 1 October 2025, instead of the earlier date of 2 August 2025. This gives companies and affected individuals additional time to regularise their immigration status without incurring fines or penalties.
ii. Financial impact of regularisation
Individuals who might opt for the in-country option of the Scheme should be aware that, following the approval/grant of the Scheme, there would be cost implications for them to continue residing legally in the country.
The major cost implication is the payment of the applicable government fees to obtain an expatriate quota, business permit, CERPAC and e-pass forms as applicable.
iii. Need for detailed self-assessment
Businesses should review the immigration status of all expatriate employees and foreign visitors to ensure compliance before the new deadline.
Where any individual is found to have overstayed their visa or violated their visa conditions, such an individual should immediately take steps to regularise their status via the designated portal.
Although the defaulting individuals are directly liable for the overstay penalties, the sponsoring businesses would also be held responsible, as it would have accepted financial and immigration responsibility for the individual during the visa application process.
From 1 October 2025, businesses traced to defaulting individuals would be at risk of being blacklisted from sponsoring expatriates into Nigeria.
d. Confirm expatriate quota positions
For individuals whose CERPAC has expired and has not been renewed within 30 days of expiration, businesses should ensure that the expatriate quota position being occupied by such individuals has sufficient validity. This would aid the regularisation process once the amnesty is granted.
Conclusion
The extension of the Scheme presents a valuable opportunity for businesses and affected individuals to regularise their immigration status without incurring penalties. Importantly, businesses can take advantage of the grace period to review their immigration records and address any gaps, thereby avoiding operational and reputational risks.
Going forward, businesses must ensure the following:
- Expatriate employees must hold the correct visa type before entering the country
- Validity of visas are tracked, and renewals are processed promptly, where applicable. Otherwise, the foreign nationals must depart before the expiration of their visas
Consistently meeting these compliance obligations is key to avoiding penalties and reputational damage. If you require further clarification or seek to understand how this would impact you or your business, please reach out to ngtaxpartners@deloitte.com.
