CEM REPORT | The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has launched an enhanced e-Passport for Nigerians in the diaspora.
The passport which will be valid for a maximum of ten years and is strictly for the Nigerian missions and consulates in the UK and the USA.
The service made this announcement via a statement on it Twitter handle.
“NIGERIANS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CAN NOW APPLY FOR THE TEN-YEAR VALIDITY ENHANCED ePASSPORT AT THE MISSIONS” — Nigeria Immigration Service (@nigimmigration)
The service further stated that e-Passport will take processing timeline of 5 weeks for fresh applications and 3 weeks for renewals.
NIS also said the passport comes in 3 categories; 32-page 5-year validity, 64-page 5-year validity and 64-page 10-year validity adding that NIN is mandatory for applying for the e-Passport.
The Service details 5 steps to get the passport:
- Visit passport.immigration.gov.ng,
- Fill form and make payment online,
- After successful payment book appointment date,
- Print appointment slip,
- Visit pre-selected mission and consulate with all required documents.
The NIS launched the e-passports last year to counter the passport booklet crisis facing the Service.
[READ ALSO] Interior Ministry Introduces Passport Application Online Tracking
Recall that CEM reported that the Ministry of Interior said the issue with delayed passport was as a result of NIN validation.
NIS had earlier said the process of securing a passport had been plagued with challenges from the shortage of booklets to louting, with an economy of corruption built around it.
