Nigerians living abroad who meet the eligibility requirements can renew their Nigerian passports through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Contactless Biometric Passport Application System, allowing eligible applicants to complete biometric enrolment remotely instead of visiting an embassy or high commission.
Key Highlights
- Eligible Nigerians in the diaspora can use the NIS contactless passport renewal system.
- Applicants must first complete their passport application online.
- The contactless service requires an eligibility check through the NIS Mobile app.
- Eligible applicants can complete facial image, fingerprint and liveness verification remotely.
- Applicants who do not qualify for contactless enrolment must follow the physical biometric appointment process.
- The NIS says more than 15,000 passports have been processed and issued through the contactless system since its launch.
- Applicants should use official NIS channels and avoid unofficial agents and third-party websites.
Start Your Nigerian Passport Renewal Online
The process begins with an online passport application through the official NIS passport platform.
For a renewal or reissue, applicants should select the option for applications from outside Nigeria and choose “Apply for Renewal/Reissue.” The NIS requires applicants to verify their National Identification Number and provide their current passport details before proceeding with the application.
Applicants should complete the required information, select the appropriate processing mission and upload the supporting documents requested for their application.
After reviewing the information, applicants can submit the application and make the required payment.
The NIS advises applicants to keep their Application ID and Reference Number, as these details are needed for tracking and other stages of the application.
Check Eligibility for Contactless Biometrics
After submitting the passport application, eligible Nigerians abroad can opt for the contactless biometric process.
Applicants should download the official NIS Mobile application and create or access their profile.
The contactless service requires an eligibility check. Applicants who meet the requirements can proceed with remote biometric enrolment, while those who are found ineligible are directed to complete biometric enrolment through the appropriate physical appointment process.
Complete Biometric Enrolment Remotely
For applicants who qualify, the NIS Mobile application guides them through the contactless biometric process.
The process includes facial image capture, fingerprint enrolment and liveness verification. The NIS’s service documentation lists the Contactless Biometric service as available specifically to Nigerians in the diaspora.
Applicants should follow the instructions displayed by the application carefully and submit the biometric information for review.
The NIS has previously acknowledged technical challenges affecting some users of the contactless system and advised applicants to check eligibility requirements and follow official support channels when problems occur.
What Happens If You Are Not Eligible?
Not every applicant qualifies for contactless biometric enrolment.
If the eligibility check indicates that an applicant cannot use the contactless option, the applicant must follow the applicable physical enrolment process through the selected Nigerian mission.
The NIS’s general passport guidance states that Nigerians applying from outside Nigeria normally submit their applications through a Nigerian embassy, high commission or consulate, with biometric enrolment required at the appropriate location.
This means applicants should not assume that every Nigerian abroad can complete passport renewal entirely from home.
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Track Your Passport Application
Applicants can track their passport applications using their Application Number and Reference Number.
The NIS provides an online passport tracking service where applicants can enter those details to view their application status.
Processing times may vary depending on the application and processing location. Applicants should also monitor their email and the NIS Mobile app for further instructions.
Use Only Official NIS Channels
The Nigeria Immigration Service advises applicants to use its official platforms and support channels when applying for passports.
The Service has warned applicants to review eligibility requirements and use official support channels when experiencing problems with the contactless application system.
Applicants should also be cautious of individuals or websites claiming to offer faster passport processing outside the official NIS system.
Because passport requirements, fees and eligibility conditions can change, applicants should confirm the latest information on the official NIS platform before making payment or submitting personal information.
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