The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled a new, phased approach to passport renewal that eliminates in-person visits, beginning with Canada on November 1, 2024. This innovative, contactless process lets Nigerians renew passports online, streamlining the procedure and minimizing the need to visit NIS offices in person.
Announced through a video shared on NIS’s official X account (previously known as Twitter) on Wednesday, this service will initially launch in Canada. Expansions to the United Kingdom, United States, and Italy will follow on November 15, with further global availability, including Nigeria, expected by December 1.
In its mission to improve service delivery for Nigerians and align with international standards, the NIS introduced this streamlined passport renewal and issuance system, beginning November 1, 2024. This will allow applicants to renew their international passports directly from home, eliminating the need to go to any NIS office, as noted in the announcement.
The NIS emphasizes that this phased implementation aims to boost accessibility for Nigerians everywhere, offering a convenient way to renew passports without a trip to NIS locations.
Starting November 1, Nigerians in Canada will be able to access the NIS mobile app—which will be downloadable on Google Play, the App Store, and the Windows Store—or use the NIS online portal for passport renewal. Although the app isn’t available yet on these platforms, the NIS anticipates that it will be ready for use by Canadians as the rollout begins.
