Easy Steps to Apply for and obtain a Nigerian International Passport – Do you wish to visit Dubai for holidays? Or you are going to the USA for business, or maybe you are going to study in Canada. One thing is sure; you are going to need an international passport before you can leave the shores of Nigeria.
Getting an international passport may seem like a herculean task for some people. But you have come to the right place as we will take you through a guide on how to apply for and get a Nigerian passport with ease.
What is an International Passport?
International passport is Nigeria’s e-passport travelling document that allows you to travel anywhere in the world. For you to leave the shores of Nigeria to anywhere in the world, you must possess this document alongside your destination country’s visa. The e-passport is not the same with the ECOWAS passport which grants you access to only the 15 ECOWAS member nations.
Standard e-passport Vs Official e-passport
Nigerian International passport is of two types or forms;
- Standard e-passport: this is available to all Nigerians wishing to travel abroad. It has a green cover.
- Official e-passport: it has a blue cover and is only available to government officials and diplomats.
Categories
There are three categories of the Nigerian international passport based on the validity period and the size of the document;
- 32 pages, 5 years: this is the 32-paged e-passport with a duration of 5 years. It is suitable for irregular travellers like those who travel for the summer holidays
- 64 pages, 10 years: it contains 64 pages and has a duration of 10 years. This will be more suitable for regular travellers, either businessmen or just regular leisure travellers.
- 64 pages, 5 years: it has intermediate features. It is 54-paged with a duration of just 5 years.
How much does it cost to obtain a Nigerian passport?
Below is the official price list as obtained from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) website;
- 32 pages with 5 years validity – #25,000
- 64pages with 5 years validity – #35,000
- 64 pages with 10 years validity – #70,000
What are the Requirements?
When appearing at the immigration office, the requirements for the international passport are as follows:
Adults (18 years and over):
- Completed passport application form
- Two recent passport-size photographs
- Proof of payment
- Letter of ID from local government/ state of origin (valid staff ID card attached)
- Birth certificate
- Completed Guarantor’s form (with a photocopy of the data page of Guarantor’s Nigerian e-passport and one passport-size photograph of the Guarantor)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Name change affidavit (if applicable)
How To Apply for a Nigerian International Passport
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The Government agency responsible for issuing the international passport is the Nigeria Immigration Service. You can obtain it from any of their offices nationwide. With the recent adjustment made, the application is done online.
Below are the general procedures to apply for a Nigerian International Passport as contained in the Nigeria Immigration Service website;
- Visit the Home page of Nigeria Immigration Portal
- Locate & click on the appropriate application form to start the process: e-Passport Application Form
- Select a passport type “Standard e-Passport” OR “Official e-Passport”, then click on ‘Start Application’ button.
- Fill the Application form; check the ‘I ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS FORM’ checkbox then click the “PRINT” Button to print filled form.
- Click on the ‘Submit Application’ button to view the ‘Applicant details page’
- Tap on “Proceed to Online Payment”
- Click to select Payment Currency “Pay in Naira” or “Pay in Dollars” option then Click on ‘Continue’ button
- Choose the currency you want to use for payment (Naira or US Dollars):
- If you selected the option to pay in Naira, you would be prompted to select PayType (payment method): “Bank”, “Credit OR Debit card”,
- If you intend to pay at a bank, selected “Bank” and click continue,
- View the list of participating banks and then click on ‘Continue’.
- The “Print Acknowledgment” button will help you print “Payment Acknowledgment Slip” with the Transaction ID, Application ID & Reference Number.
- With the copy of your Payment acknowledgement slip, proceed to a participating bank for payment.
- On making payment at the bank, you MUST be issued with an ‘approved payment platform provider’ receipt that contains a “Validation Number”. You will need the “Validation Number” for confirmation of payment on the portal. (For use of your Validation Number, see the section on Validation Number below)
- If you intend to pay through Credit/Debit card, select “Credit/Debit card” and click continue,
- You will be required to fill in your log-in credentials.
- After filling in, click the “Login” button and you will be sent to the payment portal
- For proceeding with the payment click the “PAY” button.
- Payment portal display application details, click on “Continue” button.
- You will be prompted to “Value Card” payment page, provide information on your card & Click on “OK” button
- After payment, the “Validation Number” is generated. Store it and use it to confirm the payment.
- You can also print a receipt by clicking the “Print the Receipt” button.
- Using your Validation Number
- After payment, having obtained the “Validation Number”, proceed to the NIS portal for confirmation of payment:
- Go to the “Query your Application Payment Status” and enter your Passport Application ID and Reference No.
- If a “Validation Number” field appears, please enter the number from your ‘approved payment platform provider’ receipt. Remember: Validation Number has been generated after payment through Bank also.
- Click the “Search Record” button and you will be sent to the “Applicant’s Details” page where a date for your interview has been generated.
- Print a Receipt or an Acknowledgement Slip by using the buttons on this page. (You will need them for your interview).
- You will be presented with your NIS e-receipt or Acknowledgement Slip in a new window. Click on the “Print” button to send a copy to the printer.
For Payment Outside of Nigeria
- If you select a processing country other than Nigeria, your payment will be in US Dollars. You will be re-directed to an approved payment platform to complete your application and make your payment in US Dollars.
- On confirmation of payment, proceed for Interview with relevant documents. Please, note that your interview schedule, final e-receipt and acknowledgement slip are only accessible using your Validation Number.
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To print your NIS e-Receipt
- On the portal home page, click on the ‘Query your application payment status’ link
- At the next page, select ‘Passport’ as an option under the ‘Application Type’ dropdown
- Enter the following details:
- Application ID
- Reference Number
- Validation Number (if applicable)
- Submit the details
- Your full application details shall be returned
- Scroll down the page and click on ‘Print receipt’
- You will be presented with your NIS e-receipt in a new window
- Click on ‘Print this receipt’ to send a copy to the printer
To generate your Passport Guarantor’s Form
- Click on passport guarantor’s form at the home page of the Nigeria Immigration Service
- Enter reference and id number generated on the acknowledgement slip
- Click Print to print out the first page and next to print out the second page (You will still be required to click the Print button)
General Documents required for interview:
Standard Passport
- Local Government letter of identification.
- Birth certificate / age declaration.
- 2 recent colour passport photographs
- Guarantor’s form sworn to before a commissioner of Oaths / Magistrate / High Court Judge
- Parents’ letter of consent for minors under 16 years
- Marriage certificate where applicable
- Police report in case of lost passport
- Submit application with supporting documents to passport office / Embassy / High commission
Official Passport
- Letter of introduction from the appropriate State Government, Federal Government Ministry / Organization.
- Marriage certificate where applicable
- Police report in case of lost passport
- Letter of appointment / last promotion.
- Submit application with supporting documents to passport office / Embassy / High commission
- Seamans Book Requirement
- Local Government letter of identification
- Birth certificate / age declaration
- 2 recent colour passport photographs
- Submit application with supporting documents to passport office / Embassy / High commission
Note:
- Acknowledgement slip & payment receipt plus 2 recent photographs are applicable in all cases
- Print out a copy of duly completed application form
- Take printed and signed application forms to Passport office / Embassy / High Commission for further processing
- A guarantor must attach the following documents
- Photocopy of the Data page of Nigerian standard Passport
- Driving License or National Identity Card
Submit completed application form with additional required documents in person at your selected passport office
Once you have submitted your online application, you are required to appear in person at your specified immigration office for photographs and biometrics to be taken.
NOTE: Nigerians living abroad can apply for the international passport at their nearest consulate, or via the online application.
By following these easy steps, you can apply for a Nigerian International Passport and get it easier than you think. All that is left is for you to catch a flight and jet out to that your dream visa-free country.
However, if you are travelling to some other countries like the USA, Canada etc, you will also need to get a Visa.
You want to share your experience or ask questions? Please use the comment box below.
