The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has released a detailed step-by-step guide for its Contactless Passport Application System, providing Nigerians in the diaspora with a streamlined process for renewing or reissuing their passports without physically visiting passport centres.
The service, which is part of ongoing reforms to digitise passport administration and improve service delivery, enables eligible Nigerians abroad to complete most stages of their passport renewal online.
According to the NIS, applicants seeking to use the service should begin by visiting the official passport application portal:
passportintl.immigration.gov.ng
From the portal, applicants are required to select the renewal or re-issue option, create an account, and verify their identity using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth.
The agency explained that applicants must subsequently complete the online application form, choose their preferred processing embassy, upload the required supporting documents, and pay the prescribed passport fee for their selected booklet type.
After payment, applicants will receive an Application ID and Reference Number, which will enable them to track their application and proceed with the next stage of the process.
The NIS stated that users would then be given the option to either book an appointment or enrol for the contactless passport renewal service.
To utilise the contactless option, applicants are required to click on the “Opt-In for Contactless” feature under the Application Status/Book Appointment section of the portal.
Describing the initiative as “seamless, efficient and reliable,” the Immigration Service said the system is designed to improve convenience, reduce processing bottlenecks and enhance access to passport services for Nigerians living overseas.
The contactless passport application system forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to modernise immigration services through technology and improve the experience of citizens seeking consular services abroad.
Observers say the initiative is expected to reduce travel costs, save time and minimise the need for repeated visits to Nigerian embassies and consulates, while ensuring faster and more efficient passport renewal for eligible applicants.
The NIS advised Nigerians in the diaspora to carefully follow the application guidelines and ensure all required documents are uploaded correctly to facilitate seamless processing of their passport applications.
