Obtaining a Nigerian international passport is a crucial step for citizens who plan to travel internationally. In recent times, the process has become more accessible and user-friendly, allowing individuals to apply for their passports online.
This article will guide you through the steps on how to apply for a Nigerian international passport without the need for a paid agent. By following the online application process, you can save both time and money while ensuring a smooth and convenient experience.
Whether you are a first-time applicant or renewing your passport, the online application system offers a streamlined approach to acquiring or renewing this essential travel document. Here is a step-by-step guide to get your Nigerian passport online:
To begin, apply for a passport using the Nigeria Immigration passport application online. Then, click on START NEW APPLICATION.
Step 1: Select your passport type (standard), age group, processing state, processing center, passport booklet type, and validity term. Passport kinds include:
- 32 pages with a 5-year validity period: This is the smallest category of Nigerian passport kinds. It contains 32 booklets and is good for five years, after which you must renew it. Application for this category costs N25,000 plus a processing charge of N1,000, for a total of N26,000.
- 64 pages with a 5-year validity period: This is the second class of passport, which has 64 booklets and is only good for five years. It costs N35,000 plus a processing charge of N1000.
- 64 pages with 10 years validity: This is the highest class of normal passports, with 64 pages and a 10-year validity term. Application for this type of passport costs N70,000.
Step 2: Fill up your personal information, such as your name, maiden name, date of birth, place of birth, and National Identification Number (NIN). At this stage, you should be aware that you must enter your information precisely as it appears on your NIN. Any contradictory detail will instantly derail your application and force you to seek assistance. The good news is that they are typically helpful, but it may result in delays in completing your application.
Step 3: This is where you provide your contact information. They include your hometown or village, state of origin, phone numbers, permanent location in Nigeria, and so on.
Step 4: In this part, you will provide your next of kin information, including their address and phone numbers, as well as your connection with them.
Step 5: This is the payment area where you may make payments online. Payments on the platforms are processed quickly, and once verified, you will receive a payment receipt. Please download and print it. Also, download and print your completed application form. Appointment Slip, and your passport guarantor’s form.
You will be asked to choose a capturing center and a capturing date. Please do not visit the passport office on a day other than the date provided to you; otherwise, you will waste your time.
Passport Guarantor
Every Nigerian passport application requires a guarantor, although most passport applicants or holders are unaware of their guarantors; let alone knowing who they are. This is because most individuals apply through agents, who handle the process for them, often employing persons the candidates know little about. This is most likely due to the immigration authorities’ lack of attention to the situation.
When you apply online, you must download and have your guarantor physically fill out the passport guarantor form. The most crucial characteristic of a guarantor is that they must have a valid Nigerian passport. In more civilized societies, your guarantor is expected to promise that you will sustain yourself financially and stay within your welcome wherever you visit. They will also be liable for the expense of restoring you to the nation if you view the graphic below:
The guarantor’s form provides information such as the guarantor’s name and where they work. It also includes the Particulars of Assets part, which is optional and can be skipped or filled in as ‘Not Available.’ A Commissioner for Oaths will swear to the completed guarantor’s form (which includes a passport photograph). They can be found in any courthouse or municipal council building. The form will be stamped.
Ordinarily, this would cost around N250, as shown on the receipt below, but due to the Nigerian factor, you might end yourself spending up to N1000 or N1,500. This is because we in Nigeria, and agents elsewhere, are prone to turning government services into profit-making operations. The applicant must attach photocopies of the guarantor’s National ID card or driver’s license and the data page from the guarantor’s passport to the guarantor’s form.
Conclusion
There you have it. Following these instructions, you should be able to get the lowest class of Nigerian passports for less than N30,000. Agents normally charge between $50,000 and $60,000 for this. However, if after reading this, you still feel it’s too stressful for you, use an agent by all means. But the truth is, it is quite easy and very much worth the money you’d be saving yourself.