Dalena Reporters l Thursday, March 6, 2026
ABUJA — The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to track down and arrest foreign nationals who overstay their visas, warning that immigration authorities will intensify enforcement measures against offenders across the country.
According to officials, the initiative will be implemented by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as part of broader efforts to strengthen border control, improve national security, and ensure compliance with immigration laws. Foreigners who remain in Nigeria after their visas expire could face arrest, fines, deportation, or blacklisting from future entry into the country.
Immigration Enforcement Campaign
Authorities say the enforcement drive follows the expiration of a government grace period or amnesty program that allowed foreigners who overstayed their visas to regularize their status or leave the country voluntarily without penalties. With the grace period now over, immigration officers have been directed to begin strict monitoring and enforcement nationwide.
The government said new digital monitoring systems and immigration databases will be used to identify individuals whose visas have expired, enabling authorities to track and apprehend violators more efficiently.
Penalties for Offenders
Under Nigeria’s immigration laws, foreigners who overstay their visas may face:
- Fines and penalties
- Detention and deportation
- Entry bans or blacklisting from Nigeria
Officials warned that immigration enforcement teams would conduct nationwide checks on hotels, workplaces, and residential areas to identify foreigners staying illegally in the country.
Wider Immigration Concerns
The move comes amid growing concerns about irregular migration and security risks linked to undocumented foreign nationals. Nigerian authorities have in recent years increased deportations and arrests of individuals found to have entered the country illegally or violated immigration regulations.
Analysts say the new policy is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening immigration oversight and tightening visa compliance in Africa’s most populous nation.
Officials have advised all foreign nationals living in Nigeria to ensure their visas and residency permits remain valid, warning that strict enforcement will continue in the coming months.