By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
FOREIGN TRAVELLERS heading to Nigeria must now apply for visas online under a sweeping reform by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), which also mandates digital landing and exit cards from 1 May 2025.
The newly introduced e-visa system, replacing the former visa-on-arrival policy, promises processing within 48 hours and applies to 13 categories of short visit visas.
Previously issued visas on arrival will remain valid until 30 May 2025, but all future applications must be submitted and approved digitally.
The NIS says it has also phased out the manual embarkation and disembarkation cards, replacing them with electronic versions that must be completed online.
Inbound foreign passengers are required to fill the landing card before boarding flights to Nigeria, while outbound travellers must complete the exit card prior to departure.
These can be accessed via the official immigration portal at http://lecard.immigration.gov.ng.
According to NIS spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi, the exit card system is fully integrated with the Visa Processing Centre. He warned that any violations could trigger automatic penalties, including visa bans.
Overstay penalties will take effect from 1 September 2025.
Foreigners who exceed their permitted stay will be fined $15 per day.
Those overstaying by three months or more face an additional five-year entry ban, while overstays exceeding one year incur a permanent ban.
To ease the transition, the NIS has granted a three-month grace period, from 1 May to 1 August 2025, allowing foreigners with expired visas to voluntarily depart Nigeria without incurring penalties.
Akinlabi called on all stakeholders and travellers to comply fully with the new measures and deadlines, which are central to Nigeria’s ongoing visa policy reforms.
