Step-by-step: How to renew your Nigerian passport abroad without embassy visit

Nigerians living abroad can now renew their passports without visiting an embassy for biometric enrolment, through a new contactless passport application system designed to make the process faster and more convenient, according to a report by Vanguard.

Under the system, applicants can complete and track applications online, verifying identity via their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth, without embassy biometric visits.

The eight steps are as follows:

1. Visit the Nigerian Immigration Service passport portal, select “Apply from Outside Nigeria,” then “Apply for Renewal or Reissue.”
2. Create an account, verify identity with NIN and date of birth, complete the form, select a processing embassy, and upload required documents.
3. Pay the passport fee and receive an application ID and reference number.
4. Choose between a physical or contactless appointment; eligible applicants select “Opt in for Contactless.”
5. Download the NRS mobile app, log in, select “Passport Application Services,” then “Passport Biometric Enrolment,” and enter the application ID.
6. If eligible, capture facial image and fingerprints via the app and submit biometrics for review.
7. Upon successful review, pay the contactless service fee; ineligible applicants book a physical embassy appointment instead.
8. Print the application form, retrieve the current passport, place both in a self-addressed envelope, and send to the processing embassy; tracking begins two weeks after submission.

Applicants are advised to use only official NIS channels throughout the process.