On 11 April 2025, the Federal Ministry of Interior unveiled a series of reforms designed to overhaul Nigeria’s expatriate administration and visa policy frameworks. The reforms were announced at a stakeholder engagement hosted by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).
The strategic focus of the government is to ensure more transparent and accountable use of expatriate quotas, promote structured knowledge transfer to Nigerian understudies, and encourage greater responsibility on the part of employers and expatriates in managing repatriation processes.
A key implementation measure is the launch of the Expatriate Administration System (EAS), a digital mechanism intended to enhance transparency, accountability, and compliance monitoring in the employment of foreign nationals.
Additionally, the Ministry has introduced the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025, effective from 1 May 2025. Visa applications are now expected to be automated, secure, and more efficient, particularly for business and temporary work travels.
Key highlights
Visa system overhaul – Discontinuation of visa on arrival
From 1 May 2025, Nigeria will switch to a fully electronic visa (e-Visa) system, phasing out the current visa on arrival (VoA) regime. Under the new arrangement, applicants can complete and submit their visa applications online and receive a decision within 48 hours. The system removes the need for physical visa stickers, making the process faster and more convenient.
Clampdown on irregular migration: Effective 1 August 2025
The Federal Government will begin a nationwide compliance enforcement campaign to identify and remove foreign nationals who are residing or working in Nigeria without proper documentation. A 3-month grace period from 1 May to 31 July 2025 has been granted to allow affected individuals and businesses to regularise their immigration status.
Mandatory repatriation insurance
The new Expatriate Personal Liability Insurance will cover the cost of deportation for non-compliant expatriates. Annual policy premiums will range from $500 to $1,000, depending on the duration of stay. This shifts the financial responsibility for repatriation from the Federal Government which uses taxpayers' money, to the defaulting expatriates.
Upward review of business permit and expatriate Quota Fees
The Ministry has disclosed plans to increase application fees to cover the cost of inspections, due diligence, and improved administrative oversight. These new fees will be announced in due course.
The automation of residence permit processing, and the introduction of an e-Visa platform are positive steps toward improving service delivery and transparency. However, there are valid concerns about infrastructure readiness, digital access disparities across regions, and the administrative capacity of immigration offices.
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