The United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a stern advisory to U.S. citizens living in Nigeria, urging them to immediately comply with the Nigerian government’s newly enforced immigration rules.
According to the embassy, beginning August 1, 2025, Nigerian authorities will begin strictly enforcing penalties against foreigners—Americans included—who overstay their visas. Penalties include a $15 daily surcharge, with over-stays of over six months resulting in a 5-year re-entry ban, and one-year plus over-stays leading to a 10-year ban.
In response, the embassy is advising U.S. nationals to use the Nigerian amnesty portal before July 31, 2025, to regularize their visa status and avoid fines or bans.
This advisory follows an earlier warning from Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who announced that foreign nationals who overstay their visas would face strict penalties and urged them to take advantage of the amnesty portal.
