"No Embassy Visit Needed: How Nigerians Abroad Can Renew Passports Online"

Nigerians residing abroad can now renew their passports without appearing in person at an embassy or high commission for biometric enrolment, provided they qualify under the Nigeria Immigration Service's (NIS) Contactless Passport Application System.

This system enables eligible Nigerians in the diaspora to apply for passport renewal, complete biometric enrolment, and monitor their application status entirely from a distance.

The Nigeria Immigration Service outlined the process in a video posted to its official X account on Saturday, advising Nigerians to rely solely on its official channels when applying for passports.

Below is a breakdown of how eligible Nigerians abroad can renew their passports using the contactless system:

Applicants must first visit the official NIS passport portal (passport.immigration.gov.ng), select "Apply from Outside Nigeria," and then click "Apply for Renewal/Re-issue" to begin.

They will need to set up an account and confirm their identity using their National Identification Number along with their date of birth.

Applicants must also fill out the application form, choose their processing embassy, and upload all required supporting documents.

Once the application is complete, applicants are required to pay the applicable fee based on their preferred booklet type.

According to the NIS, applicants will subsequently receive an Application ID and Reference Number, both of which are needed throughout the remainder of the process.

After submitting the application, applicants can choose between a physical appointment and a contactless one.

Those opting for the contactless route must select "Opt-in for Contactless" under either the "Application Status" or "Book Appointment" section.

The NIS noted that applicants would then be presented with a step-by-step guide explaining the contactless process, which they should review before clicking "I Understand" to proceed.

Applicants are required to download the NIS Mobile App and either sign into an existing account or register a new one.

Within the app, they should navigate to "Passport Application Services," then select "Passport Biometrics Enrollment."

Applicants must enter their Application ID and Reference Number, then select "Check Eligibility."

Those confirmed as eligible will be guided through capturing their facial image and fingerprints, completing a liveness verification check, and submitting their biometric data for review.

The NIS stated that successful applicants would be prompted to pay the contactless service fee once their biometrics have been reviewed and eligibility confirmed.

Applicants deemed ineligible for the contactless service will need to complete the process in person.

The NIS advised such applicants to return to the portal's landing page and schedule a physical appointment at their chosen embassy or high commission.

Applicants who successfully complete the contactless process must print their application form and retrieve their current passport.

Both items should be placed in a self-addressed return envelope and mailed to the selected processing embassy, per NIS instructions.

Applicants may begin tracking their passport applications two weeks after submission, either through the NIS tracking portal (track.immigration.gov.ng) or via the NIS Mobile App.

The NIS stated that the Contactless Passport Application System was designed to make passport renewal "faster, easier, and more convenient" for eligible Nigerians living abroad.

"There's no need to visit an embassy for biometric enrolment. You can apply for and track your passport entirely online," the service said.

It further noted that the system provides a "fast and secure verification process," allowing eligible applicants to complete their applications from anywhere in the world.

The immigration service urged Nigerians to apply only through its official channels.