Nigeria Immigration reopens passport application portal

Chinazor Megbolu

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has reopened passport application payment portal effective June 8, 2021.

The Service Public Relations Officer, NIS, Mr. Amos Okpu said the portal has already become functional in a bid “to allow eligible passport applicants to apply and make payments for the various categories of passports of their choice”.

According to him; “applications and payments for passport services shall be made through the Service website www.immigration.gov.ng. All applicants are also expected to visit the portal to apply and upload their support documents for vetting and processing”.

Okpu maintained that successful applicants shall make their online booking interview/enrollment appointment on any day, time and location they consider convenient.

He added that the new timeline for passport production and issuance after a successful enrollment at the selected Issuing Centre shall be six weeks for fresh applications and three weeks for re-issue (renewal applications).

“That no applicant who is yet to make an online application and payment shall be allowed into any of the Passport Issuing Centres for Passport processing; applicants will be contacted through email and phone number they provided during application when their Passports are ready,” Okpu said.

Recall that on the order of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on May 17, 2021, advised applicants to avoid patronising touts as the process has been made seamless for effective and efficient service delivery.

The Minister added that the shutdown was to afford the NIS the opportunity to clear the growing backlog of applications.

Even racketeers were also warned to desist from acts capable of undermining the ongoing reform efforts or be prepared to face stiff penalties