The Federal Government of Nigeria has warned illegal migrants who overstay their visas to regularise their visas or face arrest, detention, deportation or possibly a long-term ban from entering the country over visa overstay.
The Nigerian government announced the commencement of a Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme PAVRDP for foreign nationals who failed to take advantage of the recently concluded Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty), which ended on September 30, 2025.
According to a statement by the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS issued Friday night in Abuja and signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, the programme will begin on October 13, 2025.
He said it is targeted at foreigners who overstayed their visas or breached immigration regulations without regularizing their status.
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The NIS directed all affected individuals to report to the nearest Immigration Command for registration and documentation, where their cases will be assessed individually under the Immigration Act, 2015 and related regulations.
The Service warned that foreigners who refuse to comply will be arrested, detained, deported and possibly subjected to long-term entry bans.
It further cautioned individuals, companies and organizations against aiding or harbouring illegal immigrants, stressing that such acts remain punishable under Nigerian law.
Reaffirming its commitment to orderly migration, the NIS said the initiative is designed to ensure compliance with immigration laws while enhancing national security through effective migration management.
