Intelligence

Nigeria’s immigration landscape entered a transformative phase from April 2025 as the Federal Ministry of Interior, working in close collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service, introduced a series of reforms aimed at modernising mobility and strengthening national security.

The United States Department of State (‘DOS') has announced the implementation of a Visa Bond Pilot Program requiring certain B1/B2 visa applicants to post financial bonds for $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000.

A new visa application system which took effect from 1 May 2025 has been introduced in Nigeria. The new visa application system introduces an e-Visa which has officially replaced the issuance of Visa on Arrival (VOA) from 1 May 2025.

The Nigeria Immigration Service ("NIS") has announced plans to introduce a Single Travel Emergency Passport ("STEP") to phase out the existing Emergency Travel Certificate.

There is no doubt that the Nigeria economy has great potentials for growth and the Lagos stock exchange has outperformed many others since the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Following the conclusion of its Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty) in September 20251 , the Nigeria Immigration Service ("NIS") has introduced the Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme ("PAVRDP").