The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially expanded its innovative contactless biometric passport renewal system to the United States, Mexico, Jamaica, and Brazil as part of the second phase of the project. This marks a significant milestone in the NIS’s ongoing efforts to provide easier and more efficient passport renewal processes for Nigerians abroad.
According to a statement from the NIS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Akinsola Akinlabi, the new system will be activated in the U.S. starting from April 11, with Jamaica, Mexico, and Brazil set to follow suit by April 14, 2025. This expansion is a part of a broader strategy to streamline passport services for Nigerians living in various parts of the world.
The contactless biometric passport renewal system, which was first introduced in Canada in November 2024, allows Nigerian citizens to apply for passport renewals without the need to physically visit a passport centre for biometric data collection. The system, accessible through a dedicated mobile application, was launched in Europe, the UK, and Ireland in February 2025, as part of an ongoing international rollout.
The NIS has made the mobile application available for download on the Google Play Store under the name “NIS Mobile.” This app enables users to complete their passport renewal applications by submitting biometric data remotely, eliminating the need for time-consuming visits to passport offices. Akinlabi also confirmed that an updated version of the app for both Android and iOS users will soon be available on the Apple Store to further enhance accessibility and improve the overall user experience.
In his statement, Akinlabi highlighted the NIS’s commitment to leveraging technology to provide seamless and efficient services to Nigerians living overseas. He noted that with the introduction of this system, Nigerians can now renew their passports from anywhere in these newly covered countries without needing to travel to consular offices or passport centres.
“This new contactless system will allow Nigerians abroad to handle passport renewals more conveniently, saving time and reducing the need for physical interaction with government offices,” Akinlabi explained. “We are continually working to improve the system and to make it available to even more Nigerians across the globe.”
The contactless passport renewal system has already been well received in countries where it has been implemented. According to reports, it has significantly reduced the number of people needing to visit the consular offices in person, making the renewal process more efficient and less stressful.
The system has also garnered praise for its user-friendly design. Nigerians in countries like Canada, the UK, and Ireland have found the process to be straightforward, with the app offering easy navigation and quick processing times. Feedback from users indicates that the ability to complete the process without having to stand in long queues or wait for appointments at consular offices has been a major convenience.
One of the main advantages of the contactless passport renewal system is that it bypasses the traditional need for Nigerians to visit Passport Centres for biometric enrollment. Instead, users can submit their biometric data through the mobile app, where they can upload required documents and images from the comfort of their homes. This allows for more privacy and flexibility in the application process, which has been particularly beneficial for Nigerians living in remote or less accessible areas.
The NIS has also been working on improving the app’s functionality to ensure a smoother user experience. In addition to the upcoming release of an updated version of the app, the NIS has indicated plans to expand the service to more regions in the near future. Currently, the system is available in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, Europe, and parts of Asia. However, the NIS is yet to roll out the system in Australia and Nigeria. Akinlabi assured the public that the system will be launched in both countries at a later date, with specific announcements to be made in due course.
The success of the system in countries like Canada, the U.S., and the UK suggests that the NIS is on the right path in modernizing its services and meeting the needs of Nigerians living abroad. The service’s goal is to make passport renewals faster, more accessible, and less dependent on in-person visits to consulates or embassy offices.
For Nigerians living in these newly covered countries, this development means they can now handle their passport renewals with much less hassle. Instead of having to plan trips to consular offices or dealing with lengthy queues, they can submit their applications and biometric data online, thus cutting down on waiting times and avoiding unnecessary travel costs.
The NIS has also highlighted that, while the system is making significant strides, the government remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians in all parts of the world have access to high-quality and efficient consular services. The service has pledged to continue its efforts to upgrade its systems and services to cater to the growing demand for seamless interactions between Nigerians and government agencies.
It is expected that as more countries are included in the rollout, Nigerians living in other regions will also benefit from the system. The NIS’s ability to expand this service beyond North America and Europe highlights the increasing importance of technological solutions in improving governance and service delivery, especially for the Nigerian diaspora.
The expansion of the contactless biometric passport renewal system is also part of Nigeria’s broader effort to modernize its immigration services, in line with global best practices. As more countries adopt digital and mobile-based services, it is clear that Nigeria is moving in the right direction in terms of offering citizens a more convenient and efficient way to handle essential services like passport renewal.
