Digital Borders: Nigeria Rolls Out Full E-Visa System, Ends Visa-on-Arrival from May 2025

 

Nigeria Transitions to E-Visa System, Ends Visa-on-Arrival Policy Amid Sweeping Immigration Reforms

A major shift in Nigeria’s immigration landscape has officially begun with the full rollout of a comprehensive e-visa system, aimed at bolstering national security and streamlining entry procedures for foreign visitors. Effective Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Federal Government launched this digital platform as part of a broader modernization campaign that reflects President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The move signals a definitive end to the long-standing Visa on Arrival (VoA) policy and ushers in a stricter compliance framework for foreigners entering the country.

According to a public statement from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the e-visa implementation begins with two key technological upgrades: the introduction of a completely online visa application process and the deployment of automated landing and exit cards for travelers. These reforms are not only aimed at improving efficiency but also at reinforcing the integrity of Nigeria’s border management systems.

Deputy Controller of Immigration and NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, emphasized that the 2025 Visa Policy represents a significant step forward from the previous manual system. All aspects of visa applications will now be conducted entirely online via the official portal https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng/. Applicants can expect to receive decisions within 48 hours, complete with electronic QR-coded approvals sent directly to their email addresses.

There are now 13 categories under the Short Visit Visa (SVV) type, each tailored to different travel purposes ranging from business and tourism to medical visits. These categories are clearly outlined on the newly launched e-visa portal, which has been built to accommodate the needs of global users while upholding Nigeria's enhanced security protocols.

The digital transition also includes the discontinuation of physical embarkation and disembarkation cards, long a fixture at Nigerian ports of entry. These have been replaced with an automated system accessible through https://lecard.immigration.gov.ng/, allowing inbound and outbound passengers to submit their travel information electronically. Officials believe the automated landing and exit cards will provide more accurate data collection, reduce congestion, and help track travel patterns with greater precision.

Government authorities have reiterated that this is not just a technological facelift but a policy recalibration designed to address long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s visa regime. With the old VoA policy now retired, all travelers must apply for and receive their visas before arriving in Nigeria. Additionally, there are no provisions to extend visas obtained through the e-platform. Travelers are therefore urged to plan their trips within the timeframes approved in their visa documents.

Perhaps one of the most notable aspects of the new policy is the introduction of strict penalties for visa overstays. Starting from August 2, 2025, any foreign national who remains in Nigeria beyond the duration permitted in their visa approval will face enforceable sanctions. This marks a definitive end to the previously lax enforcement culture and is expected to deter visa misuse and unauthorized long-term stays.

Akinlabi confirmed that the NIS is offering a grace period to facilitate a smooth transition. Between May 1 and August 1, 2025, foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired visas have the opportunity to return to their countries without facing penalties. This three-month window is designed to promote voluntary compliance while giving residents ample time to adjust to the new regulations.

Stakeholders across the travel and immigration sectors have been quick to respond to the announcement. Travel agencies, embassies, and international business communities are reportedly recalibrating their advisory notices and client protocols to align with the latest Nigerian entry requirements.

While the move has generated a range of reactions, it is largely being welcomed as a long-overdue step toward digital governance in immigration. Industry observers point to the growing global trend of digital border control systems as evidence that Nigeria is catching up with best practices used by countries such as the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Security experts are also optimistic about the long-term benefits of the e-visa system. The automation of identity verification and entry records could significantly reduce incidences of human trafficking, illegal residency, and cross-border criminal activities.

However, critics argue that the success of the e-visa policy will depend on the capacity of the NIS to maintain technological uptime, respond swiftly to technical glitches, and offer customer service support to applicants facing challenges. The need for robust infrastructure, cybersecurity measures, and training for immigration officers remains paramount.

As Nigeria embraces this digital frontier in immigration, the message from the Federal Government is unambiguous: national security, ease of doing business, and lawful migration are no longer mutually exclusive goals. With an efficient e-visa mechanism in place and the end of Visa on Arrival, the country is signaling a more disciplined, transparent, and secure entry protocol for global travelers.