Please note & stay safe
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). This is an informational guide — apply, renew and pay for your passport only on the official NIS portal (passport.immigration.gov.ng) or the official NIS Mobile app, and pay online only. Beware clone websites and touts, and never pay “agents” promising same-day passports or shortcuts.
Step 1: start on the official portal
Go to passport.immigration.gov.ng (or use the official NIS Mobile app) and choose Apply for Fresh Passport (or Renewal/Re-issue or Correction of Data).
Step 2: sign in & verify NIN
Sign in (Google, Yahoo, Facebook or OpenID), then enter your NIN and date of birth. The system verifies them against the NIMC database. If your details don’t match, stop and correct your NIN first.
Step 3: fill the form & choose options
Enter your personal details, address and next-of-kin, then select your booklet type and validity (32-page/5-year or 64-page/10-year) and the processing centre where you’ll do biometrics.
Step 4: pay online
Pay the fee online through the portal — ₦100,000 (32-page) or ₦200,000 (64-page) within Nigeria. Cash is never accepted at passport offices; anyone asking for it is a tout.
Step 5: book your appointment
Book your biometric appointment at your chosen centre. Popular centres fill up, so book early — see offices & appointments.
Step 6: biometric capture
Attend in person with your documents for fingerprints and photograph capture. After processing you track your application and collect your passport.
Tips
- Verify your NIN data before you start — this is where most applications stall.
- Prepare all documents first.
- Use only the official portal/app and pay online.
Start with your NIN
Every Nigerian passport application begins with a valid NIN, and the whole process hinges on your NIN data matching what you submit. When you enter your NIN and date of birth on the portal, the system runs a verification check against the NIMC database — and this is where applications hit their first wall if there's any discrepancy in your name, date of birth or other details. So before you start, confirm your NIN details are correct and consistent; fixing a mismatch at NIMC first saves you a rejected or stalled application later.
The application starts online at the NIS portal (and official NIS Mobile app): choose Fresh, Renewal/Re-issue, or Correction of Data, sign in, enter your NIN and details, select your passport type and validity, choose a passport office, and pay online. You then attend that office for biometric capture (fingerprints and photo). One recent improvement: eligible renewal applicants can now complete biometrics contactlessly via the NIS Mobile app, skipping the in-person visit — though fresh applicants still attend in person.
Do it yourself, avoid touts
The process is deliberately self-service, and doing it yourself is usually cheaper, faster and safer than handing your documents to a stranger. Apply only on the official portal/app, pay only online (legitimate payments are electronic — anyone demanding cash to “facilitate” is a tout), and fix your NIMC data yourself rather than paying an agent to “sort” it. Watch for clone websites that mimic the NIS portal — check the address carefully — and never share your login or payment details. No one can legitimately “fast-track” a passport for a bribe.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a Nigerian passport?
On passport.immigration.gov.ng: choose Fresh/Renewal, sign in and verify your NIN, fill the form, select booklet type, pay online, book an appointment, and attend biometric capture in person.
Can I apply for a Nigerian passport online?
Yes — the application, payment and appointment are online, but biometric capture is done in person at a passport office, embassy or consulate.
Is NIN required to apply?
Yes — a valid NIN is mandatory and is verified against NIMC; applications without a NIN are not processed.
How do I pay for a Nigerian passport?
Only online through the official NIS portal — cash is not accepted at passport offices.
Where does biometric capture happen?
At the passport office (or embassy/consulate) you selected when booking your appointment.
How do I apply for a Nigerian passport?
Start online at the NIS portal (or NIS Mobile app): choose Fresh, Renewal/Re-issue, or Correction of Data; sign in; enter your NIN and details (verified against NIMC); select passport type and validity; choose a passport office; and pay online. Then attend that office for biometric capture (fingerprints and photo).
Do I need a NIN to apply for a passport?
Yes — every application begins with a valid NIN, and the process hinges on your NIN data matching what you submit. The portal verifies your NIN against the NIMC database, so confirm your NIN details are correct and consistent before you start, or the application can stall.
Can I renew a Nigerian passport without going to an office?
Eligible renewal applicants can now complete biometrics contactlessly via the NIS Mobile app, skipping the in-person visit. Fresh (first-time) applicants still need to attend a passport office in person for biometric capture.
Do I have to pay cash or use an agent for a passport?
No — the process is self-service and all legitimate payments are electronic through the official portal. Anyone demanding cash to 'facilitate' is a tout. Doing it yourself is usually cheaper, faster and safer than handing your documents to a stranger.
What is the first reason passport applications get rejected?
A mismatch between your NIN data and what you submit — the portal verifies your NIN against the NIMC database, so any discrepancy in name, date of birth or other details stalls the application. Fix any NIMC mismatch before you apply.