The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially rolled out a digital e-visa system and an automated landing and exit card system.
This is said to be part of major reforms under Nigeria’s 2025 Visa Policy.
According to a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Akinsola Akinlabi, the e-visa system is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The statement added that the e-visa system is part of the fully digital platform to streamline visa processing, enhance security, and boost tourism and business travel.
The e-visa system allows travellers to apply online, upload required documents, and receive approvals within 24-48 hours, eliminating the need for physical embassy visits.
Accessible via https://lecard.immigration.gov.ng, the platform integrates with global security databases, including Interpol, to ensure robust background checks.
Alongside this, Nigeria introduced an Automated Landing and Exit Card system, requiring all non-Nigerian inbound passengers to complete a digital landing card before boarding and an exit card before departure.
The statement added that this enhances border control and enforces penalties, such as a $15 daily fine for visa overstays, a five-year entry ban for overstays exceeding three months, and a permanent ban for those overstaying a year or more.
The statement reads in part: “The new e-Visa platform introduces 13 categories under the Short Visit Visa (SVV) class.
“The full details are available on the official portal: https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng.”
“The new policy also introduces strict overstay penalties, effective September 1, 2025 and a daily fine of $15 will apply for all overstays.
“Foreigners who overstay for three months and above will incur a $15/day fine and a five-year entry ban.
“Also, those who overstay for one year and above will face the same fine plus permanent blacklisting from entering Nigeria.
“In addition to the e-Visa rollout, the government is replacing the manual embarkation and disembarkation forms with a fully automated landing and exit card system, available at: https://lecard.immigration.gov.ng.
“All inbound passengers, except Nigerians, are required to complete the electronic landing card online before boarding, while outbound passengers must complete the exit card before departure.”
The NIS explained that the exit card system was synchronised with the Visa Processing Centre to enforce penalties, including automatic visa bans for non-compliance.
To ease the transition, it said, a three-month window period from May 1 to August 1, 2025 has been granted.
The NIS said: “During this period, foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired visas may return to their home countries without incurring any penalties.
“We urge all stakeholders to comply with the revised immigration policies and timelines.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to implementing a more efficient, transparent, and secure immigration system that aligns with global best practices.”
