Key Takeaways
• Since May 23, 2025, Nigerian airlines must verify travelers’ visas, landing, and exit cards before boarding.
• Nigeria’s new e-Visa system processes online applications within 48 hours, launched on May 1, 2025.
• Penalties include fines for airlines and daily $15 fees plus bans for travelers overstaying visas.
Nigeria 🇳🇬 has taken a bold step to tighten its border security and immigration controls, announcing strict new measures against airlines that bring passengers into the country without proper visa documentation. This move, revealed on May 23, 2025, by Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, signals a major change in how Nigeria 🇳🇬 manages international arrivals and enforces its visa requirements. The new rules are already reshaping how airlines, travelers, and immigration officials handle entry into the country.
Who is affected? All airlines flying into Nigeria 🇳🇬, foreign travelers, and the agencies responsible for border security.
What is changing? Airlines must now ensure every passenger has a valid entry visa, landing card, and exit card before boarding flights to Nigeria 🇳🇬. If they fail, they face penalties. Travelers must also follow new digital procedures for visas and travel documents.
When did this start? The new enforcement was announced on May 23, 2025, with the e-Visa system and digital cards launched on May 1, 2025.
Where does this apply? All international airports and entry points in Nigeria 🇳🇬.
Why is this happening? Nigeria 🇳🇬 wants to strengthen national security, stop illegal entry, and align its immigration practices with global standards.
How will it work? Through a new e-Visa system, digital landing and exit cards, and strict checks by airlines and immigration officers.
Let’s break down what these changes mean, how they work, and what travelers and airlines need to do to comply.
Nigeria’s New Enforcement: Airlines Face Penalties for Bypassing Visa Requirements
On May 23, 2025, during a stakeholder meeting in Lagos, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made it clear: airlines that transport passengers into Nigeria 🇳🇬 without valid entry visas, landing cards, or exit cards will be penalized. The Minister’s message was direct: “No foreigner shall be allowed entry into Nigeria without a valid visa. Nigeria is not a dumping ground.”
This is a sharp warning to airlines. In the past, some airlines allowed passengers to board flights to Nigeria 🇳🇬 without checking if they had the right documents. Now, the government is holding airlines responsible for making sure every traveler meets Nigeria’s visa requirements before they even get on the plane.
Key points for airlines:
– Airlines must check that all passengers have a valid Nigerian visa, a landing card, and an exit card before boarding.
– If airlines fail to do this, they face sanctions from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
– The NCAA will monitor and enforce these rules as part of its regulatory duties.
This approach puts more responsibility on airlines, making them a key part of Nigeria’s border security system.
The New e-Visa System: Fast, Digital, and Strict
A central part of these changes is Nigeria’s new e-Visa system, which started on May 1, 2025. This system moves visa applications online, making the process faster and more secure.
How does the e-Visa system work?
– Travelers apply for short-stay visas online.
– Applications are processed within 48 hours or less.
– If approved, travelers receive an e-visa sticker and a unique QR code by email.
– The number of short-stay visa categories has grown from 2 to 13, giving travelers more options.
Recent statistics (as of May 22, 2025):
– 5,814 e-Visa applications received
– 5,671 approved
– 66 rejected
– 62 queried
This system is designed to make travel to Nigeria 🇳🇬 easier for legitimate visitors while giving immigration officers better tools to spot problems. The e-Visa system is also linked to global criminal databases, including Interpol, making it harder for people with criminal backgrounds to enter the country.
For more information and to apply for a Nigerian e-Visa, travelers can visit the Nigeria Immigration Service official e-Visa portal.
Landing and Exit Cards: New Digital Requirements for Travelers
Alongside the e-Visa, Nigeria 🇳🇬 has introduced automated landing and exit cards. These are digital forms that travelers must fill out before entering or leaving the country.
What are landing and exit cards?
– Landing cards are required before entering Nigeria 🇳🇬.
– Exit cards are required before leaving.
– Both must be completed at least 72 hours before your flight.
How to get them:
– Go to the official Nigeria Immigration Service landing and exit card portal.
– Enter your passport details, travel information, and fill out a biodata form.
– Submit the form online.
Why are these cards important?
– Immigration officers will ask for your completed exit card when you leave Nigeria 🇳🇬.
– Airlines must check that you have these cards before letting you board.
– If you don’t have them, you may not be allowed to travel.
This system helps Nigeria 🇳🇬 collect more accurate information about who is entering and leaving the country, making it easier to spot overstays or other problems.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: What Airlines and Travelers Need to Know
Nigeria 🇳🇬 has set out clear penalties for anyone who does not follow the new rules.
For airlines:
– Airlines that bring passengers without valid visas, landing cards, or exit cards will face sanctions from the NCAA.
– These penalties could include fines, suspension of landing rights, or other regulatory actions.
For travelers who overstay their visas:
– Daily penalty: $15 per day after your visa expires.
– If you overstay by 3 months or more: $15 per day plus a 5-year ban from entering Nigeria 🇳🇬.
– If you overstay by 1 year or more: $15 per day plus a permanent ban from entering Nigeria 🇳🇬.
Grace period: From May 1 to August 1, 2025, foreigners with expired visas can leave Nigeria 🇳🇬 without paying penalties. However, there is some confusion about when overstay penalties will start, with both August 2 and September 1, 2025, mentioned in official guidelines.
Key takeaway: Both airlines and travelers must follow the new rules closely to avoid serious consequences.
How the New System Works: Multi-Layered Security and Verification
Nigeria’s new immigration system uses several layers of checks to make sure only people with the right documents can enter or leave the country.
1. Airline checks: Airlines must verify that each passenger has a valid visa, landing card, and exit card before boarding. They can no longer rely on just proof of payment or a ticket.
2. Immigration checks: Officers at the airport will check travelers’ documents and use the e-Visa system to see their travel history and visa status.
3. Global database links: The e-Visa system is connected to international criminal databases, making it easier to spot people who may be a security risk.
4. Automatic flagging: The system automatically flags travelers who have overstayed their visas or have irregularities in their documents.
If a traveler does not have the right documents, airlines will not issue a boarding pass, and the traveler may be referred to immigration authorities for further checks.
Why Is Nigeria Making These Changes?
Nigeria 🇳🇬 is not alone in tightening its border controls. Many countries, including the United States 🇺🇸, United Kingdom 🇬🇧, and Canada 🇨🇦, have strict visa requirements and hold airlines responsible for checking passenger documents.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo explained that these new rules bring Nigeria 🇳🇬 in line with international standards. “Requiring proper visa documentation is not acceptable in the UK, US, Canada, and other climes, and it will not be acceptable in Nigeria anymore,” he said.
The government believes these changes will:
– Improve national security by stopping illegal entry and tracking who is in the country.
– Make travel easier for legitimate visitors by moving to a digital, faster system.
– Support tourism and investment by making it easier for business travelers and tourists to get the right visas.
– Build a better database of travelers, helping with planning and security.
What Does This Mean for Airlines?
Airlines flying to Nigeria 🇳🇬 now play a bigger role in border security. They must:
– Train staff to check for valid Nigerian visas, landing cards, and exit cards.
– Update their systems to verify digital documents before issuing boarding passes.
– Work closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service and NCAA to stay up to date with rules.
Failure to follow these steps could result in heavy penalties, including fines or loss of permission to land in Nigeria 🇳🇬.
Advice for airlines:
– Review your check-in procedures for flights to Nigeria 🇳🇬.
– Make sure staff understand the new requirements.
– Use the official Nigeria Immigration Service landing and exit card portal to verify passenger documents.
What Should Travelers Do?
If you plan to travel to Nigeria 🇳🇬, here’s what you need to do:
Before you travel:
1. Apply for an e-Visa online at the official NIS portal.
2. Fill out your landing card at least 72 hours before your flight.
3. Fill out your exit card before you leave Nigeria 🇳🇬.
At the airport:
– Bring printed or digital copies of your e-Visa, landing card, and exit card.
– Be ready to show these documents at check-in and to immigration officers.
If you overstay your visa:
– Leave Nigeria 🇳🇬 before the grace period ends (August 1, 2025) to avoid penalties.
– If you stay longer, be prepared to pay daily fines and possibly face a ban from returning.
Tip: Always use the official government websites for visa and card applications to avoid scams.
Collaboration Between Government Agencies
The new rules are being enforced through a partnership between the Ministry of Interior, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Dr. Tunji-Ojo stressed the importance of this teamwork, saying, “This meeting is a strategic collaborative effort of the ministry, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the NCAA.”
This collaboration ensures that all parts of the system—airlines, immigration officers, and regulators—work together to keep Nigeria 🇳🇬’s borders secure.
End of Visa-on-Arrival: What Has Changed?
With the launch of the e-Visa system, Nigeria 🇳🇬 has ended its visa-on-arrival (VOA) program as of May 1, 2025. This means:
– Travelers can no longer get a visa when they land in Nigeria 🇳🇬.
– Any VOA issued before May 1, 2025, will remain valid until May 30, 2025.
Travelers must now apply for a visa online before traveling. This change is meant to stop people from arriving without proper documents and to give immigration officers more time to check applications.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Nigeria’s Immigration System?
Nigeria 🇳🇬’s new rules are part of a bigger plan to modernize its immigration system, improve security, and make travel easier for those who follow the rules. The government hopes these changes will:
– Reduce illegal immigration
– Attract more tourists and investors
– Build a safer, more efficient travel system
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these reforms are expected to bring Nigeria 🇳🇬 closer to international best practices and help the country manage its borders more effectively.
Practical Steps for Airlines and Travelers
For airlines:
– Update your check-in and boarding procedures.
– Train staff to check for e-Visas, landing cards, and exit cards.
– Use official government portals to verify documents.
For travelers:
– Apply for your e-Visa and digital cards well before your trip.
– Keep copies of all documents with you.
– Follow all instructions from airlines and immigration officers.
For more information: Visit the Nigeria Immigration Service official website for the latest updates and official forms.
Conclusion
Nigeria 🇳🇬’s new immigration measures mark a big change for airlines, travelers, and the country’s border security. By requiring strict checks on visas and travel documents, and by holding airlines accountable, Nigeria 🇳🇬 aims to protect its borders, welcome legitimate visitors, and keep up with global standards. Airlines and travelers must adapt quickly to these new rules to avoid penalties and ensure smooth entry and exit from Nigeria 🇳🇬. Staying informed and following official procedures is now more important than ever for anyone traveling to or from Nigeria 🇳🇬.
Learn Today
e-Visa system → An online process allowing travelers to apply for Nigerian visas digitally within 48 hours or less.
Landing card → A mandatory digital form completed by travelers before entering Nigeria to provide personal and travel details.
Exit card → A required digital form filled out before leaving Nigeria to track outbound travelers accurately.
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) → Regulatory body enforcing compliance and imposing sanctions on airlines violating Nigerian immigration rules.
Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) → Previous system allowing travelers to obtain a visa upon landing in Nigeria, now discontinued.
This Article in a Nutshell
Nigeria’s stricter immigration policies mandate airlines verify digital visas and travel cards before boarding. The e-Visa system speeds approvals, while penalties deter violations. These reforms align Nigeria with global standards, improve security, reduce illegal entry, and require cooperation from airlines and travelers to ensure compliance and safe borders.
— By VisaVerge.com
