How to renew a Nigerian passport abroad, including the contactless option
The diaspora fees, the NIS online application, remote biometrics on the NIS Mobile app, and what you still need to post to the embassy.
Quick answer
Apply and pay on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) passport portal. Diaspora fees are $150 for a 32-page, five-year passport and $230 for a 64-page, ten-year one. Eligible adults can then do their biometrics on the NIS Mobile app instead of visiting an embassy, but they still post their documents and old passport to the mission.
At a glance
| Who handles it | Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), through Nigerian embassies and high commissions |
|---|---|
| Diaspora fees | $150 (32 pages, 5 years); $230 (64 pages, 10 years) |
| Apply | NIS online passport portal, via immigration.gov.ng |
| Contactless biometrics | NIS Mobile app, for eligible applicants aged 18+ with existing biometric records |
| Still required | Posting the printed form, receipts, current passport and a return envelope to your mission |
| Tracking | About two weeks after submission, online or in the app |
For years, renewing a Nigerian passport abroad meant booking a slot at an embassy or high commission, often a long trip away, for fingerprints and a photo. That has changed. Since late 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has let many Nigerians abroad capture their biometrics on a phone. The online application and the fees are unchanged, and you still have to post some paperwork.
Before you start: requirements checklist
- Your current Nigerian passport.
- Your National Identification Number (NIN), used to verify you online.
- A payment card for the dollar fee.
- A smartphone if you plan to use the NIS Mobile app for contactless biometrics.
- A prepaid return envelope for your mission to post the new passport back, where your mission uses post.
- Any supporting documents the portal asks for. Requirements can differ for name changes or lost passports.
Step by step
Check you have your NIN and current passport
The online application checks your identity using your National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth. Have your current passport to hand as well.
Start a renewal application on the NIS portal
From the NIS website, open the passport portal and choose Renewal/Re-issue. Create an account and verify your identity with your NIN and date of birth.
Complete the form, upload documents and pay
Choose the booklet (32 or 64 pages) and the embassy or high commission that will handle your application. Upload the documents requested, and pay the diaspora fee in US dollars: $150 or $230. Save your Application ID and Reference Number.
Do your biometrics on the NIS Mobile app, if eligible
Download NIS Mobile. Enter your application details, then complete facial capture, fingerprint enrolment and a liveness check. Pay the contactless enrolment fee shown in the app. If the app says you are not eligible, book biometrics in person at your mission instead.
Post your documents to the mission
Even with contactless enrolment, you must post supporting documents to your chosen embassy or high commission: the printed application form, payment receipts, your current passport and a prepaid return envelope.
Track and receive your new passport
You can check the status about two weeks after submission on the portal or in the app. The new passport comes back in your return envelope, or you collect it, depending on the mission.
Costs
| Item | Diaspora | In Nigeria (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| 32-page passport, 5-year validity | $150 | ₦100,000 |
| 64-page passport, 10-year validity | $230 | ₦200,000 |
| Contactless biometric enrolment | Fee shown in the NIS Mobile app | n/a |
| Postage | Your own postage plus return envelope | n/a |
How long it takes
- Online application and payment: under an hour.
- Contactless biometrics: around 20 minutes on the app, if you are eligible.
- Status tracking: available about two weeks after submission.
- Delivery: depends on your mission and the post. Apply well before you need to travel, and never book flights that depend on the new passport arriving on a particular date.
- Worst case: the app finds you ineligible and you have to book an in-person appointment, or your details don't match your NIN record.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Details that don't match your NIN. The portal verifies you against your NIN record. If your name or date of birth is wrong there, fix it with NIMC first.
- Using unofficial "agents" or look-alike websites. Only apply and pay through the official NIS portal, reached from immigration.gov.ng. Unofficial sites may overcharge or steal card details.
- Forgetting the posted documents. Contactless enrolment replaces the biometric appointment, not the paperwork. Send the printed form, receipts, current passport and return envelope.
- Choosing the wrong mission. Pick the embassy or consulate that covers where you live, because that is where your documents must go.
- Leaving it too late. Many countries require a passport valid for several months beyond your travel dates. Renew early.
Alternatives
- In-person enrolment at your mission. This is required if you are not eligible for contactless enrolment, and some people prefer it for complex cases.
- Renewing in Nigeria. If you are visiting home, you can apply at an NIS passport office in Nigeria, where naira fees apply.
Official links
- Nigeria Immigration Service: passport portal, notices and mission contacts
- NIS: passport fee announcement
- National Identity Management Commission (NIMC): NIN enrolment and corrections
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renew a Nigerian passport abroad?
NIS says diaspora applications cost $150 for a 32-page passport valid for five years and $230 for a 64-page passport valid for ten years. The contactless biometric enrolment fee is extra and shown in the app. Postage is also extra.
Did the passport fee increase affect the diaspora?
No. NIS raised fees inside Nigeria from 1 September 2025, to ₦100,000 for 32 pages and ₦200,000 for 64 pages. It said fees for applications made in the diaspora remained unchanged.
Can I renew without going to the embassy?
Often, yes. The contactless option lets eligible adults with existing biometric records do their facial and fingerprint capture on the NIS Mobile app. You still post documents to the mission. If you are found ineligible, you enrol in person.
Which countries offer contactless renewal?
NIS rolled it out in phases from November 2024, starting in Canada, then the UK, US and Italy, and later other countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia. Check your mission's website for the current list.
I don't have a NIN. What should I do?
The online application checks your identity with your NIN, so get one first. NIMC runs NIN enrolment for Nigerians abroad through approved diaspora enrolment partners. Check the NIMC website for a centre near you.
Sources
- Nigeria Immigration Service: Upward review of Nigerian standard passport fees (28 August 2025)
- Nigeria Immigration Service
- Legit.ng: NIS unveils step-by-step guide for contactless passport renewal for Nigerians abroad
- BusinessDay: Nigeria introduces contactless passport renewal system for diaspora
- Nairametrics: NIS launches contactless passport system in US, Brazil, Jamaica and Mexico
Fees and rules change. We last checked these facts on 30 September 2026. Always confirm with the official office before you pay. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.