Immigration Plans Digital Passport Renewal For Nigerians Abroad

The Nigeria Immigration Service has announced the launch of a phased, contactless passport renewal system to begin in Canada on Nov.1, 2024.

This new system allows Nigerians to renew their passports online, greatly reducing the need for in-person visits to NIS offices.

The NIS shared the announcement on Wednesday through a video posted on its official X account (formerly Twitter).

Following the rollout in Canada, the service will expand to the United Kingdom, United States, and Italy on November 15, and by December 1, it will be available in Nigeria and other global locations.

“In its continued effort to serve the Nigerian public more efficiently and create a functional system that meets global standards, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched a new contactless and issuance process starting from November 1st, 2024.

“Individuals will be able to apply to renew their international passports from the comfort of their homes without having to visit any NIS office,” it stated.

According to the NIS, the phased rollout is designed to enhance accessibility for Nigerians worldwide, allowing citizens to renew passports seamlessly from any location without visiting NIS offices.

The NIS stated that Nigerians will be able to renew their passports by downloading the NIS mobile app—available on Google Play, the App Store, and the Windows Store—or by visiting its portal.

While the app is not yet available on Google Play or the App Store, the NIS noted that starting November 1, Nigerians in Canada are expected to access the app on these platforms and begin using the service.