NIS issues updated guidelines for contactless passport renewal for Nigerians abroad

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has released updated guidelines for its Contactless Passport Application System, providing Nigerians living abroad with a simplified process for renewing their passports without visiting embassies or high commissions.

The updated instructions are part of the ongoing rollout of the contactless passport renewal initiative introduced under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the NIS, the digital platform enables eligible Nigerians in the diaspora to complete passport renewal applications, make payments and submit biometric information remotely from their mobile devices.

The service is currently available in several countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, and is strictly limited to passport renewals. The immigration service clarified that first-time passport applicants are not eligible for the contactless process.

Under the updated procedure, applicants are first required to complete an online application through the official NIS passport portal. During this stage, users must create an account, verify their identity using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth, complete the application form, upload the required documents and pay the passport booklet fee.

Applicants are then expected to opt into the contactless renewal service by selecting the appropriate option on the portal after payment has been confirmed.

The second phase requires applicants to download the official NIS mobile application from either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Using the application, applicants can link their online submission with their Application ID and Reference Number before capturing their facial image and fingerprints.

The app also performs a liveness verification to confirm the applicant’s identity before the contactless enrolment fee is paid and the biometric submission is completed.

The NIS said that once an application is approved by the selected Nigerian mission abroad, the renewed passport will be delivered directly to the address provided by the applicant, eliminating the need for an in-person collection.

The immigration service also acknowledged that some users experienced technical issues during the initial rollout, particularly with payment processing and One-Time Password (OTP) verification.

It said server capacity has since been upgraded and advised applicants experiencing verification delays to check their email spam folders and ensure that the personal details linked to their NIN match those on their passport records.

The NIS urged Nigerians in the diaspora to use only its official website and mobile application when applying for passport renewals and warned against patronising unauthorised agents or third-party platforms.