Nigeria to launch contactless passport application in UK, Europe

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced plans to introduce a contactless passport application system in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other parts of Europe on Friday, February 7, 2025.

This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, improve transparency, and simplify the passport renewal process for Nigerians living abroad.

According to NIS spokesperson, Mr. AS Akinlabi, the new system will enable Nigerians in the diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online without visiting a physical passport center. This marks a significant step toward modernizing immigration services and making the process more convenient.

Speaking on the development, NIS Comptroller General, Ms. Kemi Nanna Nandap, highlighted the benefits of the initiative during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja. She noted that this rollout follows the successful launch of the contactless passport application system in Canada on November 5, 2024.

“For clarity, the Contactless Passport Application System, currently available on Google Play Store (NIS Mobile), allows Nigerians to renew their passports without requiring biometric enrollment at a passport office,” the NIS stated.

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa praised the initiative, describing it as a major milestone in streamlining passport services for Nigerians abroad. She reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to working closely with the NIS to ensure the success of the program.

“The introduction of this system in Europe is a significant step towards providing Nigerians in the diaspora with efficient, secure, and convenient access to travel documents,” she said.

The NIS reiterated its commitment to innovation and improved service delivery, ensuring that Nigerians worldwide can access essential immigration services with ease.