Are you planning to travel abroad and need a passport? Or do you want to renew your existing passport? If so, you’ll be glad to know that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has launched an online passport application portal today. This means you can apply for your passport from the comfort of your home or office, without having to visit any physical location.
In this article, we’ll explain how the online passport application portal works, what you need to apply, and how to track your application status.
What is the Online Passport Application Portal?
The online passport application portal is a website that allows you to apply for a new passport or a re-issue of your passport. You can also apply for a correction of data on your existing passport, check the availability of appointment dates for each processing centre, and print your receipt.
The portal is part of the NIS’s passport reforms, which aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of passport service delivery, reduce the waiting time for applicants, and eliminate the involvement of touts and middlemen.
The portal is accessible at https://passport.immigration.gov.ng/.
How to Apply for a Passport Online
To apply for a passport online, you need to follow these steps:
• Visit the online passport application portal at https://passport.immigration.gov.ng/ and click on “Start New Application”.
• Fill in the required information, such as your name, date of birth, nationality, state of origin, local government area, gender, marital status, occupation, address, phone number, and email address.
• Choose the type of passport you want to apply for, either standard or official, and the number of pages, either 32 or 64.
• Choose the processing country, which is the country where you want to collect your passport, and the processing centre, which is the specific location within the country.
• Upload a scanned copy of your passport photograph, which must be in JPEG format, not more than 15KB in size, and have a white background.
• Upload scanned copies of your supporting documents, such as your birth certificate, national identity number (NIN), guarantor’s form, and letter of consent (for minors).
• Review your application and make sure all the information is correct. You can edit your application if you need to make any changes.
• Submit your application and pay the passport fee online using a debit or credit card. You will receive a confirmation email with your application ID and reference number.
• Print your payment receipt and acknowledgement slip, which contain a barcode that will be scanned at the processing centre.
• Book an appointment for your biometric capture and passport collection at the processing centre of your choice. You can do this by clicking on “Book Appointment” on the portal and selecting an available date and time slot.
• Visit the processing centre on your appointment date with your printed receipt, acknowledgement slip, and original supporting documents. You will have your fingerprints, signature, and photograph captured by an immigration officer.
• Collect your passport when it is ready. You can track your application status online by clicking on “Payment Status/Print Receipt” on the portal and entering your application ID and reference number.
Benefits of Applying for a Passport Online
Applying for a passport online has several benefits, such as:
• It is convenient and easy. You can apply for your passport anytime and anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection and a device to access the portal.
• It is fast and secure. You can complete your application and payment in a few minutes, and your personal information is protected by encryption and security features.
• It is transparent and accountable. You can track your application progress and status online, and you can contact the NIS customer service if you have any questions or issues.
• It is cost-effective and hassle-free. You can avoid paying extra fees to touts and middlemen, and you can save time and energy by not having to visit multiple locations.
Conclusion
The online passport application portal is a welcome development that will make passport service delivery more efficient and effective for Nigerians. If you want to apply for a passport online, you can follow the steps outlined in this article and visit the portal at https://passport.immigration.gov.ng/.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any feedback or questions, please leave a comment below or contact Japafora Consulting on WhatsApp (+234 810 366 8908).
Thank you for reading!
