The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched the Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme (PAVRDP) targeting foreign nationals who did not regularize their stay or depart Nigeria during the recently concluded Expired Visa Initiative, which ended on September 30, 2025.
This development was officially announced by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI) Akinsola Akinlabi, on Friday in Abuja.
“The Post-Amnesty Programme will commence on October 13, 2025. All individuals affected are urged to promptly present themselves at the closest Immigration Command for registration and documentation,” the statement read.
As part of this programme, foreign nationals are required to voluntarily report to the nearest Immigration Command to undergo registration and documentation procedures.
Evaluation and Compliance Procedures
The NIS clarified that each case will be individually reviewed to determine the appropriate course of action, in accordance with the Immigration Act, 2015, and its associated regulations.
“Following documentation, every individual’s situation will be carefully evaluated on a case-by-case basis before any decision is made under the guidelines of the Immigration Act, 2015, and related regulations.”
Moreover, the Service warned that any foreign national who violates visa conditions and fails to come forward will face arrest, detention, and deportation, accompanied by long-term bans on re-entry, as stipulated by current immigration laws.
The NIS also underscored that aiding or sheltering undocumented immigrants is a criminal offense under Nigerian law. It further cautioned that violating the terms of stay regularization is punishable, urging individuals, businesses, and organizations to refrain from such activities to avoid legal consequences.
Key Information to Note
In an effort to strengthen adherence to immigration regulations, the NIS initiated the Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty) on May 1, 2025.
This amnesty offered foreign nationals residing in Nigeria with expired visas or residence permits a chance to regularize their status without incurring penalties. Initially set to end on August 1, 2025, the deadline was extended to September 30, 2025, to accommodate more applicants.
The amnesty covered various groups, including holders of expired Visa on Arrival (VoA), single and multiple-entry visas, as well as those with expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) whose renewals were overdue by more than 30 days.
Following the conclusion of the amnesty on September 30, 2025, the NIS began enforcing immigration laws nationwide. Starting October 1, 2025, enforcement measures such as arrest, detention, and deportation were implemented against foreign nationals who overstayed or violated visa conditions, in line with existing immigration statutes.