Nigerian Passport Contactless Application Process
9/2/20263 min read
Nigerians abroad, renewing an existing passport (contactless — no embassy visit for biometrics)
Who this applies to: Adults, only for renewing an existing passport. Fresh applications, minors, lost/damaged passport replacements, and data-correction requests are NOT eligible — those must be done in person at your embassy.
Open your web browser and go to: https://passportintl.immigration.gov.ng
Click "Continue" on the first screen that pops up.
A pop-up screen may also appear asking about cookies or privacy settings. If this happens, just click "Accept All" to continue.
Click "Apply for Renewal/Re-issue."
Create an account (or log in if you already have one). You can either sign in with your username/email and password, or use the "Sign in using Google" button if you already have a Google account. You'll also be asked for your National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth to prove who you are.
Fill in the application form with your details, and choose the embassy or high commission nearest you (this is where your documents will later be sent).
Upload your documents — your current passport, photo, and any other document the form asks for.
Pay the passport booklet fee online (card or approved bank payment — no cash).
Write down your Application ID and Reference Number. These are very important — save them somewhere safe (write them on paper too, in case your phone or computer has a problem).
You should be taken automatically to a page called "Application Status / Book Appointment." If this does not happen on its own, click the "Home" button at the top of the page. This takes you to the "Passport Application Services" page, where you'll see a tile/box labelled "Application Status/Book Appointment" (it's one of six boxes on that page, alongside "Apply for Fresh Passport," "Apply for Renewal/Re-issue," "Track Application," and others). Click that box.
Read the short instructions on screen, then tap "I Understand and Opt In."
Download the NIS Mobile App on your phone (currently Android phones only — search "NIS Mobile" in the Google Play Store).
Open the app and log in, or create a profile if it's your first time.
Tap "Passport Application Services," then "Passport Biometrics Enrolment."
Type in your Application ID and Reference Number again. The app will check if you qualify. If it says "INELIGIBLE," you must go back to the website and book an in-person appointment at your embassy instead — this route is closed to you.
If you qualify, the app will guide you to take a photo of your face and scan your fingerprints, and do a short "liveness check" (usually blinking or turning your head so the app knows it's really you, live, not a photo).
Pay the extra contactless service fee inside the app. This fee is confirmed at 100 units of your local currency — for example, $100 USD, $100 CAD, or $100 AUD, depending on which country/embassy you're applying through. This is separate from the passport booklet fee you already paid in step 8, and separate from any return-postage administrative fee your embassy charges later (see step 20).
Submit your biometrics through the app.
Print out these papers: your application form, your passport booklet payment receipt, and your biometric payment receipt.
Put these papers together with your old passport (if applicable) inside a self-addressed return envelope, and include payment for the administrative fee your specific embassy or high commission charges (this varies by country, so check your own mission's website).
Example — United Kingdom (Nigeria High Commission, London):
Use a Royal Mail C4 special delivery self-addressed envelope for return delivery.
Include the old passport (if applicable).
Include payment of the £20 administrative fee, made via postal order payable to the Nigerian High Commission, London (write your name and telephone number on the back of the postal order).
Include your application forms and payment receipt.
Send everything to: Nigeria High Commission, 9 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BX.
(If you're applying through a different country's embassy or high commission, the envelope type, fee amount, and payment method will differ — always check that specific mission's website before posting anything.)
Post/mail this envelope to the embassy or high commission you chose in step 6.
Wait and track your passport — after about 2 weeks, you can check progress at track.immigration.gov.ng, or by clicking "My Applications" / "Track Application" on the portal, or in the NIS Mobile App. Once it's ready, it will be mailed to the address on your self-addressed envelope.