Did you know that you can apply for Nigerian international passort online? The adoption of digitization as a tool of convenience and speed is changing some narratives of policy-making in Nigeria, notable of which is the transition from the traditional method of international passport application – which has been monotonous, to the digital process. So, while the “Japa” syndrome is still very active in Nigeria for people planning to travel out of the country, learn steps online for international passport application in this article.
Overview Of Online Nigerian International Passport Application
The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Interior, officially launched an online passport application on January 8, 2024. This enables applicants to complete 99% of the process online. You will only be required to visit any immigration office nearest to you for biometric capture.
Interestingly, this is an improvement on the long-standing traditional method of application, which has always mandated you to visit the Nigerian Immigration office and stay in a long queue with much discomfort. Hence, becoming stressful and time-consuming for applicants to register and even wait for weeks or months to get their international passports.
However, the mandate of the Nigerian government is to ensure the completion of the passport application within six weeks and its renewal process within three weeks. This is what many Nigerians have seen as a welcome development.
Step-by-Step Guide To Apply For Nigerian International Passport Online
Step 1: Visit The Passport Portal
Visit the official Nigerian Immigration passport portal on your device to get started. Enter and verify your NIN (National Identification Number) and your birth date. You must also ensure that you enter the 4-digit Captcha in the space provided.
Your data will be automatically generated if your NIN is valid. But you may encounter an error message if it is not valid. You may also want to read up how to link your NIN to MTN line, Glo line, or Airtel line.
Step 2: Choose Passport Booklet Type And Processing Office
Upon the successful verification of your NIN, you will be able to proceed to the next stage of your Nigerian international passport application which is to choose your preferred Passport Type and processing /collection state and office.
Notably, the 32 pages for five years is N35,000 and the 64 pages for ten years is N70,000. You will get a reference number after the step, and you must keep it safe to track your passport application or production status.
Step 3: Upload Passport Photograph
Proceed to upload your passport photograph after confirming your Nigerian passport type. Kindly note that your photo must be 600×800 pixels. Your passport photo must also have a white background as the application processing does not support any other background.
Step 4: Enter Your Personal Details
You must enter your personal details such as marital status, occupation, and email address. It is important to note that you can not edit details such as names, date of birth, state of origin, and sex. You need to contact the NIMC (National Identification Management Commission) to change any of these details.
Step 5: Provide Your Contact Information
You must provide your contact information, including permanent address, phone number, email address, local government, hometown, postal code, etc.
Step 6: Provide Your Next of Kin
You need to provide next-of- Kin information in your passport application. This includes details such as their name, address, phone number, and more. Here, it is at your discretion to choose your next of kin, which could be your spouse, sibling, father, mother, relative, friend, or guardian.
Step 7: Upload The Required Supporting Documents
You must provide two important documents: your Birth Certificate issued by the National Population Commission or Declaration of Age and Local Government Certificate of Indigeneship. Others include a parent’s letter of consent if the applicant is less than 16 years old and a police report in case of a lost passport.
Meanwhile, you must upload the data page of your non-Nigerian passport if you have a non-Nigerian passport and hold dual nationality.
Step 8: Make Payment
You must confirm your details and proceed to make payment for your passport. As stated earlier in this article, a 32-page Nigerian international passport with a five-year validity costs N35,000 while a 64-page passport with a 10-year validity costs N70,000. You can make payment through bank transfer or credit/debit card.
Step 9: Visit The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Office For Biometric
The final step in your passport application is to go for your biometric capture at the NIS office, and your passport should be ready for collection within two weeks.
How To Renew A Nigerian International Passport
Here are the steps to renew your passport with expired validity:
- Click “Apply for Renewal/Reissue” from the application portal dashboard.
- Verify your NIN and provide your current passport details to review data comparison against your NIN data.
- Choose your processing centre and booklet size (32 or 64 pages).
- Upload your passport photograph and review your personal details.
- Provide your next of kin details.
- Upload supporting documents like your birth certificate and local government certificate of indigeneship.
- Review and submit your application. You can then proceed to make payment and book your biometric appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Nigerian International Passport Application Online
Can I Complete My Nigerian Passport Application Online?
You can complete about 99% of your passport application online. But you must visit the Nigerian Immigration Service office for your biometric capture to complete the application process fully.
How Long Will I Collect My International Passport After Application?
It can take within two or six weeks to collect your Nigerian passport after application. However, it is believed that you can get your passport two weeks after your biometric capture, which is the last phase of the application.
Can I Renew My Expired International Passport Online?
Yes, you can renew your expired passport online, with some of its steps similar to applying for a fresh passport.
How Much Is Applying For Nigerian International Passport?
The cost of a 32-page passport with five years validity is N35,000 while a 64-page passport with ten years validity is N70,000.
Conclusion
The application for a Nigerian international passport has become easy with the initiative of an online portal to make the process fast. This helps to reduce the abandonment rate due to the stress that the traditional method poses. So, using the steps highlighted in this article, you can apply for your passport online.
However, using the online portal is not absolute, as you must visit the immigration office to complete your biometric capture and the application process.
