When it comes to international passport issues in Nigeria, the rules change every time.
Once there is a new Minister of Aviation, expect the procedures to not be the same anymore.
However, no matter the procedure in play or who is in charge, after submitting your passport, NIS has a portal that allows you to check if it’s ready for collection.
Read also: How to retrieve a lost international passport in Nigeria
I used this when I renewed my passport and it works just fine.
If you applied for an international passport or submitted for renewal, below is how to check if your international passport is ready in Nigeria.
How to check if your international passport is ready in Nigeria
Once you’ve completed the passport application or renewal process, you’ll receive a reference number or application ID which performs two functions
- It identifies your passport – it is unique to you
- It also helps you check if your passport is ready for collection on the NIS portal.
If you can’t find your Passport Application ID and Reference Number, check the mail you received from NIS after submitting your application.
You’ll certainly find it there.
With your details, you can use either the online or offline methods to check if your passport is ready.
I prefer to do it online since I don’t need to leave my house.
Method 1. Check online
The Nigerian Immigration Service has an online tool that allows you to check the status of your passport.
This is the method I found most convenient.
To do it:
- Visit the NIS portal: Go to the passport section of the Nigerian Immigration Service website here: (https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/passport/checkPassportStatus).
- See the status checker: On the passport page, you’ll find a section where you can enter your details.
- Enter your details: Enter your application ID and reference number. You can find these details in the email you received from NIS after you submitted your application.
- Submit and check: After entering your details, click on “Submit,” and the system will display the current status of your passport—whether it’s still being processed or ready for pickup.
For me, this method is very efficient, especially since it saved me multiple trips to the immigration office.
However, if you don’t want to do it online – there’s another way.
Read also: A complete list of requirements for international passport in Nigeria
If you’re a face-to-face person (which I know many of us prefer), you can check if your passport is ready at the NIS office.
Method 2. Visit the Immigration Office
If you prefer in-person verification or if you’re having trouble checking online, go to the immigration office where you submitted your application.
I’d have preferred this method if I lived close to the passport office – but at the time, I wasn’t even in Lagos where I submitted my application.
Read also: How to check UK visa status with passport number
Therefore, checking online was just fine.
When going to the passport office:
- Bring your documents: Carry your application slip and a form of identification, like your National ID or driver’s license – you know we don’t joke with IDs in Nigeria.
- Ask for status updates: At the immigration office, there’s usually a desk dedicated to inquiries. Approach the officials there and politely ask them to check the status of your passport using your application ID.
While this method can be time-consuming, it assures directly speaking with immigration officials.
I kind of find this method cool because you’re hearing from the passport officers directly.
Method 3. SMS Notifications
Although this is not always reliable, some applicants receive SMS notifications when their passports are ready.
I didn’t receive an SMS, but some of my friends did, so it’s worth watching your messages.
Method 4. Contact the Immigration Office via phone
If visiting the office is inconvenient, you can try contacting them via phone.
Call the office where you applied, provide your application ID, and ask for an update on your passport status.
While I didn’t use this method myself, I know it can work if you’re unable to visit the office in person.
Method 6: Have someone check it for you
I don’t know how legal this method is, but someone explained it to me and I find it worth trying.
When you submit your passport, get the contact of a passport officer there – you may have to pay a token to keep the relationship alive.
Your contact will help you check if your passport is ready from time to time.
When it’s ready, he/she will call you to come pick it up.
Read also: If my visa is cancelled, can I apply again?
With this method, you don’t have to stress yourself checking your passport, your contact will do the checking and call you if it’s ready.
Collecting your passport
Once you’ve confirmed that your passport is ready, the final step is to collect it.
When I got the notification that my passport was ready, I went to the passport office where I submitted it to collect it.
What is the procedure to collect your passport?
- Visit the Immigration Office: Go to the same office where you submitted your application.
- Bring your documents: Don’t forget to bring your application slip, a form of ID, and a photocopy of the ID page of your old passport (if you’re renewing).
- Queue for collection: Depending on the time of day and the office, you can be asked to wait in line. I recommend arriving early to avoid long queues.
- Verification and collection: You’ll be verified – Once your details are verified, the immigration officer will hand over your passport.
Before leaving, check that all your details in the passport are correct.
Read also: I overstayed my visa in the UK, can I return?
Double-check your name, date of birth, and passport validity to ensure there are no errors.
If there is any error, report it to the passport officers – but I hope you don’t encounter errors.
What documents do I need to get my international passport in Nigeria?
Here is a list of the documents you need to get your international passport in Nigeria:
- Completed passport application form
- Payment confirmation slip
- Birth certificate or declaration of age
- National Identification Number (NIN) Slip
- Passport-sized photographs (Usually two)
- State of origin certificate (For those applying for the first time)
- Old passport (If renewing your passport)
- Guarantor’s form (Completed and signed by a guarantor)
- Parent/Guardian’s letter of consent (For minors under 18 years old)
- Marriage certificate (If applying for a name change due to marriage)
- Police report (If replacing a lost passport)
What causes delays in international passports in Nigeria?
Delay in getting international passports in Nigeria is caused by the following reasons:
1. Insufficient Passport Booklets
One of the most frequent causes of delays is the shortage of passport booklets.
When the demand for passports exceeds the supply, processing times will be extended.
2. Incomplete document
Some applicants don’t submit complete documents, while some submit incorrect information when applying.
When this happens, Immigration officials will need extra time to verify your documents and information.
3. Volume of applications submittedÂ
During peak periods, like during the holiday season or when many people are applying for passports for travel, there will be delays in processing passport applications.
4. Technical issues
Sometimes, delays are caused by technical problems with the online application system or biometric equipment at the immigration office.
Read also: What happens if I withdraw my UK visa application?
System downtimes or glitches all affect how quickly applications are processed.
5. Corruption and bureaucracy
In some cases, corruption or bureaucratic inefficiencies within the immigration offices cause these unnecessary delays.
Some officers prioritize some applications for a fee – if you pay, yours will get all the attention.
6. Verification process
The need for thorough background checks and verification of documents, especially for first-time applicants causes delays in processing passports.
You’ll see this happen when there are inconsistencies with the details an applicant submitted.
7. Changes in government policies
One thing that is certain in Nigeria is policy change – New policies or changes in existing immigration regulations can cause delays in passport processing.
If the government introduces new requirements or procedures, delays will occur as both officials and applicants adjust to the changes.
8. Public holidays and strikes
Another issue that causes delays in international passport processing in Nigeria is public holidays and strikes by government workers, including immigration officers.
Read also: Can a pregnant woman apply for a student visa in Australia?
Strikes or labour disputes which happen all the time lead to prolonged interruptions.
9. Errors in Application
If there is a mistake during the application process like incorrect personal details, it will cause delays.
The errors need to be corrected before the passport can be issued.
How long after capturing will I get my international passport in Nigeria?
After biometric capturing, it takes 2 to 6 weeks to receive your international passport in Nigeria, depending on whether you opt for standard or express processing.
Can I get an international passport without NIN?
No, you cannot get a Nigerian international passport without providing your National Identification Number (NIN). The NIN is mandatory for all passport applications in Nigeria.
Final words
If you applied for an international passport in Nigeria, you don’t need to visit the passport office to know when it’s ready for collection.
You can check its status online through the NIS portal at: https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/passport/checkPassportStatus
Or, you contact the passport office where you submitted your application to know if your passport is ready for collection.
Read also: How to retrieve a lost international passport in Nigeria
If you’re checking online, you need your Passport application ID and your Reference number.
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