How Nigerians abroad can renew passports without visiting embassy

Nigerian nationals residing outside the country can now renew their passports without ever setting foot in an embassy or high commission. This is made possible through the Contactless Passport Application System, a service provided by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for eligible individuals. Once qualified, diaspora Nigerians can apply for passport renewal, complete their biometric registration, and monitor their requests remotely, all via the NIS's official digital platform.

To initiate the process, the eligible applicant must visit the official NIS passport portal (passport.immigration.gov.ng) and choose the "Apply from Outside Nigeria" option. Subsequently, they must create an account, verify their identity using their National Identification Number and date of birth, and fill out the application form. After selecting their preferred processing embassy and uploading the necessary supporting documents, they will receive an Application ID and Reference Number.

The system then offers two options: a traditional physical appointment or a contactless appointment. To opt for the latter, applicants must select "Opt-in for Contactless" in the "Application Status" or "Book Appointment" section. They are then directed to a step-by-step guide on the contactless process, which should be reviewed before confirming their decision.

Once the contactless appointment is chosen, the applicant downloads the NIS Mobile App and logs into their account or creates a new one. They then select "Passport Application Services" and "Passport Biometrics Enrollment" from the app. The applicant enters their Application ID and Reference Number, checks their eligibility, and proceeds with capturing their facial image, taking fingerprints, and completing liveness verification. If successful, they will be guided to pay the contactless service fee.

If an applicant is found ineligible for the contactless service, they must complete the process physically by booking an appointment at their selected embassy or high commission. Once the contactless process is completed, applicants should print their application form and retrieve their current national passport, placing both inside a self-addressed return envelope and sending it to the chosen processing embassy.

Applicants can monitor their passport applications' status two weeks after submission through the NIS tracking portal (track.immigration.gov.ng) or the NIS Mobile App. The Contactless Passport Application System aims to simplify passport renewal for eligible Nigerians abroad, offering a faster, more convenient, and secure experience. It's emphasized that applicants should utilize only the NIS's official channels for passport applications.