Nigerians often talk about “japa”, meaning relocating outside the country. One of the most important documents needed to show your citizenship is the Nigerian passport. Experts say that the Nigerian passport is the highest affirmation of Nigerian citizenship, although not many Nigerians can boast to possess one. Nigerian passports are issued to Nigerians to permit them to travel outside the country. There are 5 different types of Nigerian passport.
Standard passport (green cover passport) – This passport type is for the general public.
Official passport (blue cover passport)- This passport type is for Government officials.
Diplomatic passport – This passport type is for protocol officers in government and Government ambassadors.
Seamans passport – This Passport Type is for Sailors.
Pilgrim Passport – This is passport type which is required when a Nigerian wants to travel to another nationality in terms of pilgrim through airways
The Standard Passport
The standard passport which is for every Nigerian now comes in as an enhanced electronic passport booklet.
Every citizen of Nigeria, whether born in Nigeria or abroad to Nigerian parents may be eligible to apply for a Standard ePassport. It comes in three standard variants: the 32-page passport with five-year validity; the 64-page with five-year validity and the 64-page with 10-year validity.
The Newly enhanced e-Passport : Validity and Cost
– 32 pages valid 5 years is N25,000
– 64 pages valid 5 years is N35,000
– 64 pages valid 10 years is N70,000
However, a minor younger than 18 years old can only obtain the ePassport through their legal Nigerian guardian and may not be eligible for the 10-year validity passport which is available only to Nigerians 18 years and above.
Also, the cost of the passport for minors and adults aged 60 and above is different and cheaper than the cost of a standard passport.
If an applicant already has the older Standard ePassport, they can continue to use it until 6 months before expiry. In order to apply for the new Enhanced ePassport, the current ePassport must be unintentionally lost, damaged, exhaust its pages or have less than 180 days validity remaining.
Features of the Enhanced Passport
The new passport has advantages which include passport with 10-year validity, self-tracking of application and express centres for urgent application. It has the Polycarbonate Data Page with laser printing as against the existing passport which is printed with ink on hard paper. This polycarbonate technology reduces the incidence of damage as well saves Nigerians especially those in the Diaspora time of frequent visits to Nigerian Embassies.
Other advantages include weather friendliness, compliance with latest ICAO standard, you can track it to know when it is ready and also when to go for collection, and has additional 25 security features more than the ordinary Passport.
Who Needs a Nigerian Passport?
Any Nigerian who needs to travel outside the country is required to get a Nigerian international passport. Therefore, if you need to travel abroad for any reason, be it long-stay or short-stay purposes, your Nigerian international passport is your access to obtain a visa to any country of your choice.
Obtaining a 64-page passport has an advantage of saving you the stress of constantly needing to apply for new passports when needed. People travelling for business purposes may want to consider applying for a 64-page passport, especially if their job requires them to often make international business trips throughout the year. However, this doesn’t mean leisure travellers cannot apply for the 64-page passport as well.
The 32-page Nigerian international passport is commonly issued to people who do not travel internationally very often.
Passport Application Guidelines: How To Apply
1. Visit the Nigeria Immigration official website to register. First time applicants in Nigeria should use this link.
The link can also be used by existing users for renewal.
2. Find & click on the appropriate application form to begin:
e-Passport Application Form
MRP – Passport Application Form (Not Applicable In All Missions)
3. Choose a passport type “Standard e-Passport” or “Official e-Passport”, then click the ‘Start Application’ button.
4. Carefully fill the selected form; check the ‘I ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS FORM’ checkbox then click the “PRINT” Button to print the filled form.
5. Click on ‘Submit Application’ button to view ‘Applicant details page’
6. Click on “Proceed to Online Payment”
7. Click to select Payment Currency “Pay in Naira” or “Pay in Dollars” option then Click on ‘Continue’ button
8. Select the currency type you want to use to make payment (Naira or USD):
9. If you choose to pay in Naira, you will be asked to select PayType (payment method): “Bank”, “Credit OR Debit card”.
10. After choosing your preferred payment option and finalising payments, click the “Submit” option to move to the next step.
11. The “Print Acknowledgment” button will help you print “Payment Acknowledgment Slip” with Transaction ID, Application ID & Reference Number. After payment, having obtained the “Validation Number”, proceed to the NIS portal for confirmation of payment.
12. Still on the website, print guarantors form, Print out Guarantor’s form and have it certified. This will require you to enter your Passport Application ID and Reference No. and then click submit to proceed. Then take the form to your guarantor to fill, your guarantor will attach a passport photograph, photocopy of international passport data page, and photocopy of NIN or Drivers licence.
13. Submit completed application form with additional required documents in person at your selected passport office
Note: 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.
Requirements for International Passport in Nigeria
For 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 photocopy of 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)
Minors (below 18 years of age):
- Completed passport application form
- One passport-size photograph (signed on reverse side by consenting parent/s)
- Birth certificate
- Evidence of Nigerian citizenship of parent/s
- Letter of consent from both parents (valid court order if one parent is unavailable)
- Proof of payment
In the event that the child is adopted, a court order and letter of approval from the State Ministry of Women and Child Development is required.
Documents Needed to Apply For a Nigerian Passport
Before you would register or apply for the passport, the following documents should be made available at the Immigration Office:
For Standard Passport
- Passport Application Form
- Your payment slip
- Local government state of origin
- Birth certificate document
- Driver’s licence
- Two recent passport size photographs in white background.
For an Official Passport:
- Letter of introduction from appropriate State Government, Federal Government Ministry / Organisation.
- Marriage certificate where applicable
- Police report in case of lost passport
- Letter of appointment / last promotion
How long does it take to get an international passport in Nigeria?
A new passport application takes around 48 hours to process after your biometric data has been captured. In some cases, it has been known to take up to a month to process, so make sure you apply well in advance.
The Process can be tiring!
Although the E-passport was enabled to make the process of registration very easy, many sources who have experienced the process of acquiring the Nigerian passport disclosed that the process can be very stressful, not the online registration but capturing your biometrics and waiting for the passport to be out.
The lack of infrastructure, payment of bribes, scarcity of booklets, the recent shortage of dollars, amongst others are major reasons for this. What many people do is pay an inhouse official to help facilitate the process, which is corrupt and obviously is an additional expense.
Can I use more than one passport?
It is criminal to do that. Under section 10 of the Immigration Act 2015, it is highly prohibited for passport holders from using more than one Nigerian Passport.
How do I convert/upgrade from a normal passport to an E-passport ?
On the official site, move the mouse pointer over Passports on the menu bar, and then click on MRP-Passport on the menu bar. Move the mouse pointer over the Services Link on the menu bar, on the drop down menu that appears, click on [upgrade to e-passport]. Enter your reference number and Application ID and click on Search Record.
Frequently Asked Questions
For FAQ, Click here . For other enquiry and issues, Visit here.