The United States government has issued a warning to its citizens currently residing in Nigeria: resolve any visa overstay issues before July 31, 2025, or risk serious penalties.

This comes after Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that the country will now impose tougher measures on foreigners who overstay their visas. The new policy, which took effect on May 1, 2025, includes a $15 daily fine and the possibility of being banned from re-entering Nigeria.

To avoid these penalties, the Nigerian government has introduced a temporary amnesty window. During this period, foreigners—including American citizens—can resolve any visa issues without paying fines, but only if they act before the July 31 deadline.

In a statement posted on its website, the US Embassy in Nigeria urged affected citizens to take advantage of the amnesty period:

“US citizens currently in Nigeria who have overstayed their visa are strongly encouraged to fix their stay through the amnesty portal before July 31, 2025.”

After the deadline, violators could face hefty financial penalties and long-term bans from entering Nigeria in the future.

The embassy is advising all US nationals in Nigeria to check their immigration status and ensure they are in compliance with Nigerian visa laws before it’s too late.