Knowing how to apply for an international passport in Nigeria can save a lot of stress, time and money. This is a most vital document; one that facilitates international travel, and also identifies the holder as a Nigerian citizen. One must therefore make sure to obtain this document from only the proper channel; as a fake, cloned, or forged passport obtained from questionable sources can land one into serious trouble.
To apply for an international passport in Nigeria, you just have to go online to do all the registration procedures, and then show up at a designated passport office to obtain your passport. The process has now been streamlined; it is quite simple and straightforward; and anybody with a basic knowledge of computers can apply for the Nigerian passport from the comfort of his home or office, or from a public computer. If a person needs help with this application he may call on a trusted person to help.
Please note that you have no reason to go to the passport office, or to the Nigerian Immigration Service office without doing the application from home; doing so may only make you fall into wrong hands. Touts may promise to expedite your passport process without giving any assurances. Sometimes such people have been known to abscond with people’s money.
How To Apply For An International Passport In Nigeria
As mentioned above; the process is simple and straight forward. Even the prompts that lead from one page to another are quite clear, and easy to understand. Red Asterisks (*) will usually mark the fields that are compulsory, and you must take care to fill all the fields with the correct information. The following is a step by step process of applying for the Nigerian passport.
The first step is to grab your laptop computer or any other internet enabled device, and go to the Nigeria Immigration Portal. You must then click on the appropriate button to see the application form so as to start the process: The button is marked ‘Passport,’ and it is on the top left corner of the page. You can also go directly to the Passport page on the NIS portal: https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/passport/epassport .
You must now select a passport type “Standard e-Passport” OR “Official e-Passport”, then click on ‘Start Application’ button. As a citizen (not an official) you must click on the “Standard e- Passport” button, and then click the green icon at the bottom that says “Start Application” so that it brings up the appropriate passport type for you.
The Application Form will appear on your screen; it will present boxes for you to fill in the required information. Please carefully fill all the boxes with the required information; and then check the small box that says ‘I ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS FORM.’ After that you can go ahead to click the “PRINT” Button to print filled form.
But your application will not be sent until you click on the “Submit Application” button, after which you will be able to view ‘Applicant details page.’
The next step is then to click on the button that says “Proceed to Online Payment.”
The system will then present two options to you: “Pay in Naira” or “Pay in Dollars.” Click to select Payment Currency option that your bank account or payment card account is domiciled in. After that you have to then click on the button that says ‘Continue.’
After choosing the currency you want to use for payment (Naira or US Dollars) you will then select the type of account:
If you selected option to pay in Naira, you will see the option to choose: PayType (payment method): “Bank”, “Credit OR Debit card.”
If you intend to pay at a bank, selected “Bank” and click continue. After that you will see a list of banks that are working with the NIS; and then you can click on ‘Continue’.
Then you will click on the button that says “Print Acknowledgment” so that you can print out the “Payment Acknowledgment Slip” with Transaction ID, Application ID & Reference Number.
You can now proceed to any of the banks you have chosen; and please ensure you go with the copy of your Payment acknowledgement slip. Approach the cashier to make the payment, telling him or her that you wish to pay for your international passport.
Please ensure that when you make the payment you receive an ‘approved payment platform provider’ receipt that contains a “Validation Number”. You are going to need the “Validation Number” in order to make the confirmation of payment on the portal.
The process is a lot simpler if you choose to pay online with your credit or debit card. This option does not require you to go to the bank; you just provide your details and money is taken directly from your bank account. To use this option you should have clicked on the button that says proceed to online payment.
To Pay For Your International Passport With A Credit/Debit Card
Like it was explained before; you will see two options that say: “Pay in Naira” or “Pay in Dollars.” You then need to select the Payment Currency option that your payment card account is domiciled in. After doing so you may then click on the button that says ‘Continue.’
After choosing the currency you want to use for payment, you will see the option to choose the PayType (payment method): You will see “Bank”, “Credit OR Debit card.”
If you have just returned to the portal; you will need to login which means you will need to fill in your log-in credentials; so as to log in.
After filling the log in details, please click the “Login” button and you will be sent to the payment portal.
In order to proceed with the payment, please click the “PAY” button.
After that you will be directed to the “Value Card” payment page, where you will provide information of your card & Click on “OK” button
The fees will then be deducted automatically from your account. After this payment, the “Validation Number” is generated. You should store it; write it down, print it out, and use it to confirm the payment.
In order to print the receipt; please click the “Print the Receipt” button.
Confirming Your Payment For The International Passport
Remember that the validation number comes after payment. Now you have to take that “Validation Number,” and go to the NIS portal for confirmation of payment.
You will click on “Query your Application Payment Status” and after that you will enter your Passport Application ID and Reference No.
If you see a field that says “Validation Number” please enter the number from your ‘approved payment platform provider’ receipt. Click the “Search Record” button and then you will be sent to the “Applicant’s Details” page. That is where you will be given a date for your interview at the Passport Office.
You can now print the Acknowledgement Slip which is your confirmation of payment; you can also call this your receipt. It will be presented to you on another tab. Please print it out because you will need the confirmation for your interview; no international passport will be issued without a payment slip.
How Much Will I Pay For My International Passport?
Of course the next thing of importance is knowing exactly how much to pay for the international passport; this will enable one know exactly how much to budget for the international passport he intends to process.
The international passport is not very expensive to procure:
NIS PASSPORT FEE – For Applications In Nigeria (Prices In Nigerian NAIRA)
Booklet Type AGE 0 – 17 AGE 18 – 59 AGE 60+
32 Pages 8,750 15,000 8,750
64 Pages 20,000 20,000 20,000
Please keep in mind that the Nigerian authorities have made this arrangement so as to help Nigerians who may not yet be working; or those who may have retired. This is to help Nigerians of all ages travel and identify themselves as Nigerians. Therefore, there is no fixed amount that you must pay for your Nigerian international passport; you will need to check the list and compare against your age range to figure out the fee that is applicable to you.
How Long Should I Wait For The International Passport
Ideally, the international passport should be processed within 2 weeks. However, there has been a recent backlog of passport applications, which means that new passport applications may be delayed for up to 3 Months.
A major cause for concern in the country surrounding the procurement of international passports is touting. The activities of touts at the passport offices have constituted a huge nuisance. They promise to be able to expedite immediate passport processing; and sometimes charge as high as N250,000 for one passport. What most people do not realize, however, is the fact that these touts who promise to provide wait-and-get international passports are the very reason why there is such a huge delay in the passport processing.
These touts corrupt the system by trying to give priority to the jobs they bring to the passport offices, thereby disrupting the normal flow of the work, which is supposed be done on a first come, first served basis. This disruption causes additional delays to the system; it makes people wait for up to 3 to 4 months for passports that should ordinarily be processed within 2 weeks.
Furthermore, these touts drive up the passport prices; people have been known to pay as high as N250,000 for passports that should cost only N9,000.
The only way out is for all Nigerians to completely shun touts; pay only the designated amounts of money for the passports as recommended by the government, and do not give any cash to anybody at the passport office- whether a staff of the service, or a tout. By so doing the menace of touts; and the problems they bring to the system can be eradicated.
Prepare For Your Passport Interview
As mentioned earlier; after paying for your passport, and getting the confirmation of payment, the next thing is to appear at the passport office for an interview. The purpose of the interview is to see you in person, and to take your biometrics. It is certainly a good idea to avoid any kind of activity that can leave a scarring on your fingertips which could prevent your biometrics from being properly taken. Please note that you have to bring the confirmation slip as well as the following:
A Letter of Identification from your Local Government.
Birth certificate or an age declaration.
2 recently taken colour passport photographs.
A Guarantor’s Form which has been sworn before a commissioner of Oaths, or a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge.
A copy of your Marriage Certificate where applicable.
A letter of consent from the parents (applicable if the applicant is less than 16 years old).
Police report (in case of lost passports)
National Identity Card, or Voters Card.
Please note that you will bring the above documents and they must be clear and legible and may be stapled together for easy assessment. Please ensure that you show up only at the day that has been stipulated for your interview; if you show up at the passport office before or after the date set for you; you will most likely not be attended to. It is also very important to ensure that you speak courteously to the staff at the Nigerian passport office; this could mean the difference between getting your international passport and not getting it.
Related:
Closing
The process of applying for your international passport has been taken online; it is now very simple and convenient. You can even make the payment online; which means that trips to the bank are no longer necessary. Please follow the steps as provided above; and go to the passport office on the appointed time for an interview- taking your supporting documents with you as you go. It is important that you do not patronize touts; there is absolutely no need to give any money to anybody at the passport office.