The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced a Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme (PAVRDP) for all foreign nationals who failed to take advantage of the earlier amnesty period to regularise their stay or exit the country.
In an official statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, the programme is scheduled to begin on 13 October 2025, and all affected persons have been directed to report immediately to the nearest Immigration Command for registration and documentation.
According to the statement, each individual will have their circumstances assessed on a case-by-case basis before appropriate action is determined in line with the provisions of the Immigration Act, 2015, and related regulations.
“Upon documentation, each individual will have his or her circumstances assessed on a case-by-case basis before an appropriate action is determined under the provisions of the Immigration Act, 2015 and related Regulations,” he noted.
He further emphasised that any foreign national who has breached the conditions of their visa and fails to report will be arrested, detained, and removed from Nigeria, as stipulated by existing immigration laws, and may face long-term entry bans.
He also warned that aiding or harbouring illegal immigrants constitutes an offence under Nigerian law. Breaching the conditions of regularisation of stay equally amounts to a legal violation. Individuals, companies, and organisations were therefore strongly advised to desist from such acts to avoid prosecution.
“The public may wish to know that aiding and harbouring illegal immigrants is an offense under the Nigerian law. The breach of the conditions of regularization of stay also constitutes an offense. Individuals, Companies, and organisations are therefore strongly advised to stop such acts to avoid being prosecuted,” Akinlabi remarked.
Akinlabi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to promoting humane, seamless, and orderly migration, ensuring compliance with extant immigration laws, and strengthening national security through effective migration management.