Niger: New regulations on the entry and residence of foreigners

Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland and Head of State, recently promulgated a decree aimed at regulating the entry and stay of foreigners in Niger.

In accordance with this decree, any foreigner wishing to enter or reside in Niger must possess valid travel or residence documents. Violators are subject to various administrative measures, including expulsion, rejection, administrative detention, repatriation, or deportation to the borders.

Strict criminal penalties are also outlined. Individuals who enter or attempt to enter illegally, or who fail to comply with an expulsion or rejection decision, face imprisonment from two to five years, along with fines ranging from five to fifty million CFA francs. These provisions also apply to those facilitating the illegal entry, movement, or stay of foreigners, whether directly or indirectly. In addition to the penalties, transportation means involved, such as vehicles or boats, may be confiscated.

A declaration requirement is also imposed on anyone hosting a foreigner, even if free of charge. This accommodation must be reported to the competent police authority, under penalty of criminal sanctions. Furthermore, foreigners in an irregular situation must regularize their status within the specified timeframe.

These new measures are part of a broader strategy to strengthen national security in the face of infiltration and destabilization risks. In a tense security context, they aim to better control migration flows and prevent threats linked to irregular immigration.

By clarifying the responsibilities of all parties, whether foreigners, hosts, or facilitators, this decree reflects the Nigerien authorities’ commitment to ensuring a rigorous and fair management of immigration while protecting the integrity of the national territory.