Abuja: Nigeria has rolled out a digital e-Visa regime alongside an automated landing and exit card system as part of significant reforms under the nation’s 2025 Visa Policy. This initiative marks a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), aiming to enhance national security, streamline processes, and phase out visa-on-arrival arrangements.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the new digital system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and will be effective from May 1, 2025. The e-Visa application system offers an end-to-end online platform and introduces 13 categories under the Short Visit Visa (SVV) class. Applications are expected to be processed within 48 hours, with successful applicants receiving e-Visas and QR codes via email.
The NIS announced that the Visa on Arrival policy will be discontinued from May 1, 2025, with existing visas remaining valid only until May 30, 2025. The e-Visas, however, are non-extendable, and applicants are encouraged to choose visas that match their visit duration and purpose.
The policy also introduces overstay penalties starting September 1, 2025, with a daily fine of $15. Overstays of three months or more will result in a $15/day fine and a five-year entry ban, while overstays of a year or more will lead to permanent blacklisting from Nigeria.
In addition, the government is replacing manual embarkation and disembarkation forms with a digital landing and exit card system. All inbound non-Nigerian passengers must complete the electronic landing card before boarding, and outbound passengers must complete the exit card before departure. The exit card system is synchronized with the Visa Processing Centre to enforce penalties, including automatic visa bans for non-compliance.
To facilitate a smooth transition, a three-month window period from May 1 to August 1, 2025, has been granted, allowing foreigners with expired visas to return home without penalties. The NIS urges all stakeholders to comply with the revised immigration policies and timelines, emphasizing a commitment to a more efficient, transparent, and secure immigration system that meets global standards.