International Passport Price: how to Apply for your Nigerian Passport online and Cut Cost

The international passport price in Nigeria has recently been increased by the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), making it important for applicants to be aware of the costs and how to navigate the process efficiently.

Getting a Nigerian international passport is now easier through the online portal and there are steps you can take to save on unnecessary expenses.

Because of the last price changes, which concern new applications and renewal, it is crucial to be aware of the current fees and how to work through the application process effectively.

In this article, we’ll be reviewing the current International passport price and walk you through the online application process.

We’ll also share tips on how to cut costs while ensuring a smooth application experience.

1What is an International Passport?

2How much Is an International passport in Nigeria in 2024?

3How to Apply for Your Nigerian Passport Online?

4What are the Requirements you need for your Passport Application?

5What types/categories of passports are Available for Nigerians?

6How to Cut Costs When Applying for a Nigerian Passport?

What is an International Passport?

A passport is an official travel document issued by a government that certifies a person’s identity and nationality for international travel.

It allows its bearer to enter and temporarily reside in a foreign country, have access to local aid and protection, and obtain consular assistance from the government.

An international passport is a travel document that identifies a person as a citizen of a particular country and it gives him/her permission to travel to other countries in the world.

It also confirms the identity and nationality of the holder and shows some basic information that may include the name of the holder, date of birth, photo, and file number.

Besides serving as an identification document and travel document to other countries, passports may contain visa sections for entry and exit stamps or visas that may be needed to gain entry into specific countries.

It is a very crucial paper when traveling from one country to another, and like most passports, it has a certain lifespan in which it then expires.

The Republic of Nigeria passport issued to Nigerian citizens to travel outside of Nigeria

How much Is an International passport in Nigeria in 2024?

On the 1st of September,2024, the International passport price in Nigeria was increased.

The change is only to affect Nigerians living in the country and not those in the diaspora. Therefore the international passport price for Nigerians in Diaspora remains unchanged.

The increase was made to ensure that the quality and the configuration of the passport were not compromised due to the increase in the cost of production and issuing of the passports to warrant a sustainable process while maintaining high security and quality as the modern world demands.

Whether you’re within the country(Nigerian applicant) or part of the Nigerian Diaspora(Foreign applicants), here’s what you need to know about the fees.

If you’re in Nigeria or a Nigerian applicant

A standard five-year 32-page international passport is now between the price range of ₦35,000 to ₦50,000 While a 10-year 64 pages passport price is between the range of ₦70,000 to ₦100,000.

If you’re a Nigerian living abroad (in the Diaspora)(Unchanged):

You are to pay the sum of $130 for a passport with 32 pages, valid for five years, or $230 for a passport with 64 pages, valid for ten years.

How to Apply for Your Nigerian Passport Online?

Everybody needs to acquire a Nigerian international passport while traveling. Modifications to the passport costs have made it even more crucial to learn its procedures to reduce costs.

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has now made it very easy to apply for a passport through the Internet.

Simply follow the steps below:

1.Go to the NIS Portal.

Visit the official Nigeria Immigration Service website @immigration.gov.ng.

This is where you can begin the process of applying for your passport.

2. Review and fill up the Application Form.

Enter your basic particulars, such as your name, date of birth, and contact details, among others. Ensure that you give the right details as this may lead to unnecessary delay.

3. Make Payment

When you’re done with the form, you are to make a payment depending on the type of passport you choose. You can make the payment online by using their secured platform.

4. Biometric appointment schedule

After confirming your payment, you make an appointment for your biometric data to be taken at the nearest Passport office. This means that they take your fingerprints and photos as well.

5. Go For Your Biometric Appointment

When going for the appointment, make sure that you have other documents such as payment receipts and means of Identification.

Your passport will then be processed after your biometric capture.

6. Pick up Your Passport

When the passport is ready, you will receive a notification through your email or a text message. The time taken to process depends on the season but it should be ready within 3 weeks.

The online application for a Nigerian passport is still active, and the same for those applying from outside Nigeria; the appointment must be made at any Nigerian mission for the same reason.

What are the Requirements you need for your Passport Application?

Going through the hurdles of getting a passport can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve broken down the steps and documents you need to make it easier.

To get your passport ready for an interview, you need a few documents:

Your regular passport
A letter from your local government confirming your identity
Your birth certificate or a document showing your age
Two recent photos of yourself
A form signed by someone who can vouch for you, like a judge or a commissioner
If you’re under 16, a letter from your parents giving permission
If you’re married, they will ask for your marriage certificate
If your passport is lost, you are to bring a report from the police
You’ll also need to pay a fee, which depends on your age and the type of passport booklet you want.
For Nigerian applicants, the fee is in Naira. For foreign applicants at an embassy or consulate, it’s in US dollars.

For an official passport, like for government work, you will need:

A letter from your state or federal government, or your organization
If you’re married, they will request for your marriage certificate
If your passport is lost, you are to bring a report from the police
A letter showing your job status or recent promotion

And if you’re applying for a Seamans Book:

A letter from your local government confirming your identity
Your birth certificate or a document showing your age
Two recent photos of yourself

Also remember to bring your acknowledgment slip, payment receipt, and two recent photos to your appointment. And if someone is vouching for you, they need to give copies of their passport or ID.

Nigerian Passport for travel and identification to ensure easy travels

What types/categories of passports are Available for Nigerians?

Currently, Nigeria has four major and, or Five types/classes of passports/travel documents. They include:

Standard Nigerian Passport (Available to Nigerians)
Official Passports ( Government Officials on Official Assignment)
Diplomatic Passport ( High Ranking Government Officials and Diplomats)
Convention Travel Documents ( For refugees in Nigeria)
ECOWAS Travel Certificate ( Available to all Nigerians and valid for travel within the ECOWAS sub-region)

How to Cut Costs When Applying for a Nigerian Passport?

These are some recommendations that can be applied in an attempt to get lowered prices when applying for a Nigerian passport;

Apply Early:

Do not apply for your passport close to the time you plan to travel since this attracts many charges.

This is the reason why the service fees charged for urgent applications may vary to cater to the expenditure involved in processing such applications.

Avoid Middlemen:

Sometimes, whenever you hire unauthorized personnel to help you with your application, you may be subjected to extra expenses.

Applicants can directly apply through the NIS website to beat these charges

Online Payment:

Pay for your passport through the official NIS portal to minimize the possibility of charges that may be added when paying face-to-face.

When it comes to applying for a Nigerian passport, there is no need to hire a third party as you can go through the official given channels of application and therefore help you cut on some expenses at the same time, the processes of application will be very efficient.

FAQs

What is the process of applying for a passport?

The duration taken to process new passports and other related documents usually takes about 6 weeks. It normally takes 21 days to process renewals, and requests for data corrections may take up to 56 days.
These timelines commence from the date on which your biometric data is collected.

How long will it take to process an application after making the necessary payments?

Renewals of passports for intending travelers are produced within two working days from the time a fee is paid.
In the case of new applications, it can take up to 7 days, while data corrections are handled within 10 days from the date of payment.

What is the Process for Checking My Application Status?

To do this, you need to check whether your application is processing before the time of your biometric appointment.
This assists in the identification of any problem or question that requires clarification before the appointment.
The status is updated through the “Check Application Status” available on the Passport portal in Iowa.

What Documents Do I Need to Take to the Immigration Office for Biometrics?

In the case of biometric processing, one requires a printed biodata form, an appointment confirmation slip, and the previous passport in case it is to be updated or renewed.

Do You Have Assistance If One Experiences Challenges While Applying For A Job?

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) provides a round-the-clock help desk to address any concerns relating to passports. For contact details of the support center, one can visit the NIS website.

When Can I Apply for Passport Renewal?

Even if the current passport of the holder has one-year validity remaining, Nigerians in the diaspora can apply up to one year in advance. For those in Nigeria, renewal applications should be made not before 6 months to the date the permit is to expire.

Conclusion

It is recommended to apply for a Nigerian passport online as it is convenient and practical when it comes to this process.

Though the recent fee hikes make cost control even more essential, adhering to the official application steps and using the web facilities will spare you many additional costs.

You can also avoid some of the expenses and make the application process easier by going through the official website, not using third parties for payment, and thinking about all possible options in advance.

With these tips, you need not worry about the updated passport prices as you manage to get hold of your documents conveniently.

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References

portal.immigration.gov.ng -Passport Application Guidelines
immigration.gov.ng – Passport Applying from Nigeria/ Faqs
nairametrics.com– FG increases passport fees for Nigerians in Nigeria, effective September 1, 2024
siliconafrica.org– How To Use The Nigeria Passport Application Portal 2024