Nigerians living outside the country can now renew or reissue their Nigerian passports through a new contactless passport application process, reducing the need for eligible applicants to travel to an embassy or high commission for physical biometric enrolment.
The initiative by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is designed to simplify passport services for Nigerians in the diaspora by allowing eligible applicants to complete key stages of the renewal process remotely.
Under the contactless system, applicants can submit their applications online, verify their identities using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth, complete biometric enrolment through a mobile application and monitor the progress of their applications digitally.
The system is particularly significant for Nigerians who live far from diplomatic missions and may previously have had to travel considerable distances simply to complete passport biometric enrolment.
How Nigerians Abroad Can Renew Their Passports Without Visiting an Embassy
Eligible Nigerians can follow these steps to begin the contactless passport renewal process.
1. Visit the Nigerian Immigration Service Passport Portal
Applicants should begin by accessing the official Nigerian Immigration Service passport application portal.
On the portal, select “Apply from Outside Nigeria” and proceed to “Apply for Renewal or Reissue.”
Applicants should ensure that they are using the official immigration platform and not an unofficial website or agent claiming to provide the service.
2. Create an Account and Verify Your Identity
The applicant will be required to create an account and provide the necessary identification details.
Identity verification is carried out using the applicant’s NIN and date of birth. Applicants should ensure that the information provided corresponds with their official records to avoid problems during verification.
3. Complete the Passport Application Form
After successful verification, applicants can proceed to complete the passport application form.
They will also be required to select their preferred processing embassy, high commission or diplomatic mission and upload the documents requested during the application process.
Applicants should carefully review all information before submitting the form because errors in personal details can cause delays.
4. Pay the Passport Application Fee
The required passport application fee should be paid through the approved payment process provided on the official platform.
Once the application and payment have been processed, the applicant will receive an Application ID and Reference Number.
These details are important and should be kept securely because they may be required to access the application, check eligibility and track its progress.
5. Choose Between Physical and Contactless Processing
Applicants will subsequently have the option of proceeding through a physical appointment or, where available and eligible, using the contactless biometric process.
Those who qualify can select “Opt in for Contactless” through the application status or appointment section.
The system will provide further instructions on how to complete the remote biometric enrolment.
6. Download the NRS Mobile Application
Applicants proceeding with the contactless option will need to use the NRS mobile application.
After downloading the application, users can log in or create an account as instructed.
They should then select:
Passport Application Services → Passport Biometric Enrolment
The applicant will be required to enter the relevant Application ID and Reference Number to determine whether the application qualifies for contactless biometric enrolment.
7. Complete Remote Biometric Enrolment
For applicants who meet the eligibility requirements, the mobile application will guide them through the biometric enrolment process.
This includes capturing the required facial image and fingerprints using the applicant’s device.
Applicants should carefully follow the instructions provided by the application to ensure that the biometric information is captured correctly.
The submitted biometric information will then be subjected to the required review and verification process.
8. Pay the Contactless Service Fee
Where the applicant’s biometric submission is successfully reviewed and the applicant is confirmed as eligible for the contactless service, they will be instructed to pay the applicable contactless service fee.
Applicants should make payments only through the official channels provided during the application process.
9. What Happens If You Are Not Eligible?
Not every applicant will necessarily qualify for contactless processing.
Applicants who are found to be ineligible can return to the passport portal and proceed with a physical appointment at their selected embassy, high commission or other designated processing location.
This means that applicants who cannot use the remote biometric option can still continue with the conventional passport renewal process.
10. Send Your Existing Passport and Application Documents
After completing the required payment and application stages, applicants are required to print their application form and retrieve their current Nigerian passport.
The application form and current passport should then be placed in a self-addressed return envelope and sent to the selected processing diplomatic mission as instructed.
Applicants should carefully follow the delivery and return instructions provided for their particular application.
11. Track Your Passport Application Online
Applicants do not necessarily have to repeatedly contact the embassy to find out the status of their application.
The application can be tracked through the designated tracking platform or the NRS mobile application.
According to the procedure outlined for the service, applicants can begin tracking their applications about two weeks after submission.
Why the Contactless Passport System Matters
Passport renewal has historically been a major challenge for Nigerians living in countries where the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission is located several hours away.
For some applicants, completing biometric enrolment could involve significant expenses for transportation, accommodation and time away from work or family.
The contactless system is intended to reduce some of these burdens by moving eligible parts of the process online.
It can also make it easier for Nigerians living in remote locations to access passport services without immediately having to travel to a diplomatic mission.
However, the availability of contactless processing does not mean that every Nigerian abroad will automatically qualify. Applicants should follow the official eligibility checks and instructions provided during the application.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
Before starting the process, applicants should take several precautions:
Use only official Nigerian Immigration Service platforms and approved channels.
Ensure that the NIN and date of birth information provided are accurate.
Keep the Application ID and Reference Number safe.
Carefully check all information before submitting the application.
Follow the biometric instructions provided through the official NRS application.
Make payments only through approved channels.
Keep copies or records of relevant application documents and payment confirmations.
Follow the instructions concerning submission of the existing passport and return envelope.
Applicants who are not eligible for contactless processing should book a physical appointment rather than attempting to bypass the eligibility requirements.
A New Direction for Passport Services
The introduction of contactless passport renewal represents a significant step towards digitising passport services for Nigerians living abroad.
By allowing eligible applicants to complete identity verification, application processing and biometric enrolment remotely, the system has the potential to reduce unnecessary travel and make access to Nigerian passport services more convenient.
Nevertheless, applicants should understand that contactless processing is an eligibility-based service, and some applicants may still be required to appear physically at a Nigerian embassy or high commission.
For that reason, Nigerians in the diaspora should carefully follow the instructions displayed on the official immigration portal and use only authorised channels throughout the application process.
The new system ultimately provides eligible Nigerians abroad with another option for managing passport renewal while reducing some of the logistical challenges associated with visiting diplomatic missions in person.