The Federal Government has introduced sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s immigration system yesterday, replacing the Visa on Arrival program with a fully digital e-Visa platform and introducing automated border controls in what officials describe as the most significant modernization of the country’s entry procedures in decades.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Interior, activated the new systems at midnight, fulfilling a key promise of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The changes come amid growing concerns about border security and the need to streamline legitimate travel to Africa’s most populous nation.
“The e-Visa system represents a quantum leap in our immigration management capabilities,” said A.S. Akinlabi, NIS Public Relations Officer. “We are committed to delivering a transparent, efficient, and secure immigration system in line with global best practices.”
Under the new regime, all visa applications must now be submitted through the official portal (https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng), with processing guaranteed within 48 hours. The system offers 13 visa categories for short-term visits, each featuring QR codes for verification at ports of entry. Notably, the digital visas cannot be extended, and the traditional Visa on Arrival option has been completely eliminated on May 30.
The reforms introduce tough new penalties for immigration violations beginning September 1. Overstayers will face daily fines of $15, with those exceeding three months subject to a five-year entry ban. Individuals remaining unlawfully for one year or more will be permanently blacklisted from entering Nigeria.
A companion Automated Landing and Exit Card system replaces all paper-based arrival and departure forms. Foreign travelers must now complete digital landing cards before boarding flights to Nigeria, while exit cards must be filed online prior to departure. The system automatically cross-references visa records and enforces penalties for non-compliance.
Authorities have established a three-month grace period until August 1 for foreign nationals currently in Nigeria with expired visas to regularize their status or depart without penalty. Immigration officials have begun briefing airline operators and diplomatic missions on the new requirements, warning that carriers may face sanctions for transporting improperly documented passengers.
The changes position Nigeria alongside other major economies that have adopted fully digital immigration systems, though the rapid implementation timeline has raised concerns among some travel industry professionals. Government officials maintain the reforms will ultimately reduce wait times at ports of entry while giving border agents better tools to identify security risks.
With the systems now live, all eyes will be on Nigeria’s airports and land borders in coming weeks to gauge the rollout’s success.
The NIS has established a 24-hour help desk to assist travelers with the transition, though officials stress that ignorance of the new requirements will not exempt visitors from penalties after the grace period expires.
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