NIS Improves International Passport Process With Efficient Online Service

Many Nigerians have taken to their social media accounts to commend the new initiative of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at curbing bribery, reducing processing time and improving service delivery of international passport at its various offices across the nation.

NIS, in recent months, has said Nigerians no longer need to pay more than the stipulated amount to obtain a new passport or renew their expired international passports. However, several Nigerians and even a few bad eggs in the agency have refuted that declaration, saying many online applications are either not attended to or left for months and even years in some cases.

But few patriots like Claudia Nwankwo, who applied and paid the N25,000 stipulated online, have said it indeed works.

In a long detailed post, Nwankwo, a PR Media consultant, said “As “Nigerians” we (naturally) shy away from using government agency portals or online platforms. Many would say that the portals do not work and they make things more difficult. Others would not even bother to try because as far as they are concerned it’s all make believe.”

She said after she was told to prepare between N40,000 to N50,000 to renew her 32 pages international passport, she noticed the amount stipulated on the NIS website was half the amount.

“I checked on the NIS website and saw that renewal for adults cost only 25k. So, I proceeded to apply using the online portal. I filled the form, printed the necessary document and went straight to Alausa passport office.

“At the office, I was directed to the lady in-charge of online applications. She told me all I needed to do. It seemed as though there was going to be unnecessary delays. I quickly escalated my case and voila! I was ready for capturing.

“The good thing about using the online portal is that you have first-hand information about your application and it puts you half-way through the entire process. Such that when you get to the passport office you only need to get your forms/application approved and proceed for capturing (most likely) same day.”

Nwankwo explained that online application reduces the long stressful process of filling your forms today and returning another day for capturing.

According to her, after capturing applicants are issued a slip which they need to present when picking up their international passport within 72 working hours.

She, therefore, advised intending international passport applicants to follow the steps below in order to apply for a new international passport or renew their expired international passports.

• First and foremost, visit the NIS website https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/ to get all necessary information as per requirement and process of application.

If you can do it on your own, its perfect! If not, go straight to the helpdesk of any NIS passport office near you. Immigration Officers would guide you on all you need to know and do. If in doubt or you encounter any misconduct, do well to escalate but insist on the right thing.

• Afterwards, you will need to print out the completed application form, sign it, print out your acknowledgment and payment slip.

• Take along your NIMC slip (compulsory)
• NIN number (compulsory)
• Copies of first and last page of your expired/old passport (if any)
• Hard copy of your expired/old (for sighting)
• Two passport photographs

She added that the international passport cost N25,000 while the payment gateway that facilitates payments for NIS charges N1,000. Bringing total cost to N26,000.