How to renew Nigeria international passport abroad

Humans have always been on the move since the dawn of time. Aside from the fact that it's a fundamental human right, freedom of movement or travelling is one of the ways to learn and explore other cultures and environments.

Nigerians are ranked as one of the top travellers to the UK, Canada and the US. And we don't travel alone, Nigerians contribute to the economy of the country they reside in. A recent report by SBM Intelligence said Nigerian students and their dependents contributed approximately £1.93 billion to the UK in 2021.

Now, more than ever, it’s possible to travel to our neighbouring African countries and halfway across the planet. However, one document that’s essential for cross-border mobility is the international passport.

What is an international passport?

A passport is a travel document that permits the bearer to cross international borders. It typically includes a person’s name, place, date of birth, photo, signature, sex, nationality, or citizenship.

Passports are issued by national governments for use by their citizens and serve as valid identification for people who lack other forms of identification, such as driving licences or state-issued ID cards.

Globally, every country requires people coming into their country to hold travel documents (international passports), among others. Consequently, unless the federal government provides international passports, its citizens cannot exercise their right to freely move and/or travel out of the country.

Holders of Nigerian international passports can travel visa-free to 26 countries in the world. Thanks to technology adoption, most of the application processing for fresh or renewal passports can be done online.

This is useful especially if you are a Nigerian living in the UK, Canada and want to renew your passport. Rather than get all the application process done at the Nigerian consul office, you’ll only go there for your documents submission and biometric capturing.

How do I apply for a passport renewal from abroad?

The Nigerian passport renewal process must first be done online. Follow the steps below to submit your application:

Passport application process for Nigerians in the UK:

1. Browse to Nigeria High commission UK
2. Sign up if you are a first time user and/or log in
3. Under Passport, Click on ePassport
4. Under “Select a Passport Type”, Select “Standard ECOWAS Passport (ePassport)” Processing Country is United Kingdom, Issuing Office is London. Take time to read “Notification”, Click on “Start Application”. You will be directed to a new platform called “Innovate 1”
5. If already registered with yahoo or google email, Sign in now, Otherwise Click "OpenID" and follow instruction to register. Click "Submit." Continue with the application. After completing the form, click on: I accept full responsibility for information provided in this form. Click "Submit Application."
6. You will be allotted Application ID and Reference Number. These will also be sent to your registered email address. Click "Print" to print a copy of your form.
7. Then click on “Continue Application”
8. Proceed to making online payment. If you are applying for more than one person from the same family, continue with the next family member's application, then, Click on "Proceed to Online Payment." (If for any reason you were unable to make payment, under the payment confirmation page, click "POS" and proceed to OIS Services Limited for assistance).
9. If your payment is successful, you will see a page with the message: "Your Payment is Successful." Print Passport Acknowledgement Slip, and Passport Payment Slip.
10. Book your appointment at the High Commission’s office at London, UK. You can rebook your appointment on the same link if you missed your initial date.
    Note: If you are having any challenge, you can email: [email protected] for assistance.

Documents required on your appointment day at London, UK

You are expected to take the following documents with you to the Nigerian High commission at the UK on your appointment day.

1. Payment acknowledgement slip or just a payment slip
2. Your application form, which is like 3 pages
3. NIN slip
4. The expired (or expiring) passport booklet
5. A self-addressed envelope, and
6. A £20 postal order

Procedures at the High Commission office on the day of your appointment

1. Arrival at the high commission. Join the queue, as the timing on your slip is barely used.
2. Entrance into the lower basement for document checks & collection.
3. Movement to the upper floor for biometric capturing.

Passport application process for Nigerians in Canada

1. Visit the Nigerian High commission Ontario website
2. Sign up if you are a first time user and/or log in
3. Select passport type
4. Select your processing country, e.g. Ontario, Canada.
5. Complete application form
6. Select your preferred payment method and complete the process
7. Once payment is completed, click “Submit.”
8. You will be issued an Application ID and Reference number
9. Submit the completed application form with additional required documents in person at your selected passport office.
10. Book your appointment

Documents required on your appointment day at Ontario, Canada

1. Passport Application form completed online and print out
2. Payment slip print out
3. Acknowledgment slip print out
4. Applicant should come with the Original Expired Nigerian E-Passport and photocopy of Bio data page of the E-Passport. Remember to leave your expired passport in the return envelope. The High Commission cannot mail your new passport without cancelling the old copy.
5. Photocopy of Bio-data page of Nigerian E-passport.
6. Two current passport-size photographs with white background.
7. Persons under the age of 18 or minors will be required to submit a consent letter signed by parents with photocopy of Bio-data page of Nigeria E-Passport (per applicant).
8. Self addressed Canada Post express post envelope (Regional if you reside within Ontario and National if you reside outside Ontario). Ensure to take tracking number of envelope before dropping. If you will be using one envelope for the family, have the names listed on the envelope.

Cost of obtaining Nigerian passport in Canada

The service comes with a non-refundable administrative fee of $50(CAD), payable to the Nigeria High Commission, Ottawa.

Passport application process for Nigerians at Washington, D.C. USA

1. Go to Nigeria Immigration website at https://portal.immigration.gov.ng
2. Click apply for passport renewal
3. Indicate that you applying from outside Nigeria
4. Sign up if you are a first time user and/or log in
5. In the passport menu, select the E-passport application form.
6. Select Standard e-passport.
7. Click on processing country, select United States.
8. Click on Start Application.
9. Choose one of the FOUR accounts: Google, Yahoo, Open ID, or Facebook, and create an account or if you already have one, log in. Then fill the form.
10. Choose Washington, DC as your Processing Office/Processing Embassy.
11. Please complete the form and print it. Thereafter, click on the submit button.
12. Once the application has been successfully submitted, you will be provided a Reference number and Application ID.
13. Using the Application ID and Reference number, proceed to payment – After making the e-passport fee payment, kindly visit https://appointments.immigration.gov.ng/ for your mandatory appointment booking.
14. Once you have completed the association, please print out the page that displays the tracking number. Address the money order to Innovate Service. Then attach the money order to the page that displays the tracking number and mail it to:

Innovate1 services, 30 Avon Meadow,

Lane Avon, CT 06001.

Documents required on your appointment day at Washington, DC, USA

1. Passport application form to be completed online.
2. Online payment receipt.
3. Online acknowledgment slip.
4. Expired Nigerian passport.
5. Photocopy of applicant’s data page of Nigerian passport.
6. Two current passport-size photographs, preferably with white background.
7. A certified self-addressed prepaid envelope from USPS, UPS, or FedEx.

Passport application process for Nigerians at New York, USA

To begin the application:

1. Have a credit card ready or purchase the amount of post office money order required.
2. Go to NIS website for the electronic application.
3. Select apply for passport renewal
4. Sign up if you are a first time user and/or log in
5. Select tandard E-passport – The official E-passport is only for government officials travelling abroad.
6. Select United States as processing country and New York as office of application.
7. Click on ‘start application.’ Choose from Google or Yahoo and create an account to sign in.
8. Complete the application online and print out a copy of the completed application before you submit for payment.
9. Complete the application form and click submit.
10. Close the screen and proceed to payment or to input further applications.
11. Select method of payment (Money Order, Visa or American Express) and follow relevant steps.
12. Book your appointment for the passport interview.

Documents required on your appointment day in New York, USA

1. Copy of National Identification Number (NIN).
2. Copy of online application form, signed and dated (fresh applicants only).
3. A copy of payment confirmation slip.
4. Copy of acknowledgement slip.
5. Expired Nigerian passport (if not presented, will be considered lost passport).
6. Photocopy of the data page (which clearly shows photograph, full name and date of birth).
7. Prepaid, self-addressed USPS overnight express mail envelope with tracking number.
8. Credit or debit card for $30 administrative fee.

Passport application process for Nigerians at Atlanta, Georgia USA

1. Have a credit card ready or purchase the amount of Post Office money order required.
2. Go to NIS website for the electronic application.
3. Select Standard E-passport – The official E-Passport is only for government officials travelling abroad.
4. Select United States as processing country and Atlanta, Georgia as office of application.
5. Click on ‘start application.’ Choose from Google or Yahoo and create an account to sign in.
6. Complete the application online and print out a copy of the completed application before you submit for payment.
7. Complete the application form and click submit.
8. Close the screen and proceed to payment or to input further applications.
9. Select method of payment (Money Order, Visa or American Express) and follow relevant steps.
10. Book your appointment for the passport interview.

Documents required on your appointment date at Atlanta, Georgia, USA

1. Passport payment slip.
2. Passport acknowledgement slip.
3. Copy of online application form (signed and dated).
4. One copy of passport photograph.
5. Expired Nigerian Passport (If not presented will be considered lost)and photocopy of passport data page (which clearly shows photograph, full name and date of birth).
6. Every applicant must appear in person at the Consulate for finger and thumb printing necessary to produce the E-passport.

The fee for the different pages of Nigerian e-passport at Atlanta, Georgia, USA are as follows:

If you applied for a passport at any approved Nigerian consulate/embassies/ high commissions abroad, make sure you obtain it there. Because you cannot obtain it any other place, even in Nigeria. If you do, the system will indicate a double application and your new payment will be forfeited.

You can track the progress of your passport application

Furthermore, the validity of a standard Nigeria passport is 5 years. You cannot reissue your passport until 6 months before the expiration date, or you used all the available pages.