If you are a Nigerian citizen and you need to renew your passport, you might be wondering how to go about it. What are the requirements, the fees, the processing time, and the steps involved?
In this blog post, we will answer all these questions and more, so that you can renew your passport without any hassle.
Why Do You Need to Renew Your Passport?
Your passport is an important document that proves your identity and nationality. It allows you to travel to other countries and access various services and benefits. However, your passport is not valid forever. It has an expiry date, which is usually 5 or 10 years from the date of issue, depending on the type of passport you have.
If your passport is expired or about to expire, you need to renew it as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might face some problems, such as:
- You might not be able to travel abroad or return to Nigeria, as most countries require at least 6 months of passport validity for entry and exit.
- You might not be able to apply for or renew your visa, as most countries require a valid passport for visa processing.
- You might not be able to access some government services or benefits, such as bank accounts, driver’s license, national identity card, etc., as they might require a valid passport as proof of identity.
Therefore, it is advisable to renew your passport before it expires or at least 6 months before your planned travel date.
What Are the Requirements for Passport Renewal?
To renew your Nigerian passport, you need to meet the following requirements:
- You must be a Nigerian citizen by birth, descent, adoption, registration, or naturalization.
- You must have an existing Nigerian passport that is expired or about to expire.
- You must have a valid email address and phone number.
- You must have a means of payment, such as a debit card, credit card, or bank transfer.
- You must have the following documents ready:
- Your expired or expiring passport
- A passport photograph (size 35mm x 45mm, white background, no glasses, no headgear, no earrings, neutral expression)
- A guarantor’s form (if applicable)
- A letter of consent (if you are applying for a minor)
- A marriage certificate (if you are applying for a change of name due to marriage)
- A court affidavit (if you are applying for a correction of data)
How Much Does It Cost to Renew Your Passport?
The cost of renewing your passport depends on the type and validity of the passport you are applying for. There are 5 types of passports: standard and official, diplomatic, pilgrim, and seaman. but the most common types are standard and official. The standard passport is for ordinary citizens, while the official passport is for government officials and diplomats.
The standard passport has two validity options: 5 years and 10 years. The official passport has only one validity option: 5 years.
The fees for renewing your passport are as follows:
| Passport Type | Validity | Fee (in Naira) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 5 years | 25,000 |
| Standard | 10 years | 35,000 |
| Official | 5 years | Free |
Note that these fees are only for the passport booklet and do not include the processing and convenience fees, which vary depending on the processing country and the payment method.
How Long Does It Take to Renew Your Passport?
The processing time for renewing your passport depends on the processing country and the availability of the passport booklet. Generally, it takes between 2 to 4 weeks for the passport to be ready for collection.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there might be some delays or disruptions in the passport processing and delivery. Therefore, it is advisable to check the availability of the processing centre and the passport booklet before you apply.
How to Renew Your Passport Online?
The easiest and fastest way to renew your passport is to apply online through the Nigerian Immigration Services website. Here are the steps to follow:
- Visit the passport application page and select the option “Renew/Re-issue Passport”.
- Fill in the passport type, age group, processing state, processing office, booklet type, and validity.
- Click on “Start Application” and fill in your personal details, contact information, and next of kin information.
- Click on “Submit Application” and review your application details.
- Click on “Proceed to Online Payment” and select your payment method and currency.
- Make the payment and print out the payment receipt and the application confirmation slip.
- Visit the [appointment booking page] and select the option “Book Appointment”.
- Fill in your application ID, reference number, and email address.
- Select your preferred date and time for the passport processing.
- Confirm your appointment and print out the appointment slip.
- Visit the selected processing centre on the appointed date and time with the following documents:
- Your expired or expiring passport
- Your payment receipt and application confirmation slip
- Your appointment slip
- Your passport photograph
- Your guarantor’s form (if applicable)
- Your letter of consent (if you are applying for a minor)
- Your marriage certificate (if you are applying for a change of name due to marriage)
- Your court affidavit (if you are applying for a correction of data)
- Submit your documents and biometric data to the immigration officer and wait for your passport to be processed.
- Collect your passport from the same processing centre or have it delivered to your address (if available).
Wrapping up
Renewing your Nigerian passport is not a difficult task if you follow the steps and requirements outlined in this post.
However, you should always plan ahead and apply for your passport renewal well in advance of your travel date, as there might be some delays or disruptions due to some factors factors.
We hope this guide has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and happy travels!
Explore on NaijaEcho.com.ng for updates