Nigeria Unveils E-Visa, Digital Entry Platforms to Modernize Immigration Process
In a significant leap towards a more efficient immigration framework, the Federal Government of Nigeria has launched two digital platforms designed to improve border management and simplify entry and exit procedures for travelers. The initiative is a part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to enhance national security, transparency, and convenience in travel.
On May 1, 2025, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Interior, rolled out the e-Visa Application Portal and the Automated Landing and Exit Card System. These advancements are poised to transform the way travelers interact with Nigeria’s immigration system, making processes more streamlined and user-friendly.
According to A.S. Akinlabi, the NIS Public Relations Officer, the new e-Visa platform is an upgrade from the previous Visa on Arrival system. Now, all visa applications must be submitted online through the portal at evisa.immigration.gov.ng, boasting a processing time of approximately 48 hours. Currently, the platform offers 13 different visa categories as part of the Short Visit Visa (SVV) program. Successful applicants will receive electronic visas that include QR codes, facilitating easier verification at points of entry.
An important aspect of these new regulations is that e-Visas are non-extendable. The Visa on Arrival option will be entirely phased out by May 30, 2025. Furthermore, beginning September 1, stricter penalties will be enforced for those who overstay their visas. A daily fine of $15 will be imposed for overstays, and a three-month overstay may result in a five-year entry ban into Nigeria. More severe cases, such as a one-year overstay, could lead to permanent blacklisting.
Complementing the e-Visa system, the NIS has also launched the Automated Landing and Exit Card System, which replaces the older paper-based embarkation and disembarkation forms. Under the new regulations, all inbound travelers, with the exception of Nigerian citizens, must now complete a digital landing card prior to boarding their flights. Outbound passengers are similarly required to submit an exit card digitally before their departure. This automated system is designed to enforce penalties automatically for any violations associated with these new processes.
Recognizing that such transitions can be challenging, the NIS has introduced a three-month grace period, running from May 1 to August 1, 2025. This will allow foreigners currently in Nigeria with expired visas to exit the country without facing any repercussions during that time.
The NIS encourages travelers, airlines, and foreign missions to adapt to the new systems and comply with the revised immigration procedures. “We aim to create a more secure, efficient, and globally competitive immigration process that not only supports national growth but also enhances Nigeria’s image internationally,” Akinlabi emphasized.
By PRNigeria
