Step 0: Get Your NIN First (Mandatory)
⚠️ NIN Is Required Before You Can Apply
Since 2021, a Nigerian NIN (National Identity Number) is mandatory for all passport applications and renewals. If you do not have a NIN, your passport application will be rejected. You must register for a NIN first.
If you are in the UK and don't yet have a NIN, NINBVN.org can register you quickly:
- ✓ Adults: £50 · Children: £40
- ✓ 14+ centres across England, Scotland, Wales and Germany
- ✓ NIN received via SMS within 1–5 working days
Step 1: Apply via the NIS e-Passport Portal
All Nigerian passport applications must be submitted online via the Nigeria Immigration Service e-passport portal at immigration.gov.ng.
- Create an account
Register at the NIS portal using a valid email address. You will use this account to track your application.
- Fill the application form
Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your NIN record and current/expired passport. Any discrepancy between your NIN name and your application name is a common rejection reason — check carefully.
- Enter your NIN
You will be required to enter your 11-digit NIN. The system validates it against the NIMC database. If it fails, your NIN record may have an error — contact us about NIN modification.
- Select your collection centre
Choose the Nigerian High Commission in London (or a VFS Global centre if applicable for your application type) as your collection point.
- Upload photo
A recent passport-sized photograph on a white background. Specifications are strict — wrong photo size, incorrect background or glasses are common rejection triggers.
Step 2: Pay the NIS Passport Fee
Current Nigerian Passport Fees (UK — 2025)
- 32-page standard passport (5 years): approximately $100 USD equivalent
- 64-page enhanced passport (10 years): approximately $150 USD equivalent
Fees are payable online through the NIS portal using a debit or credit card. Payment generates a Remita reference number which you need for your appointment. Do not pay anyone directly claiming to process your passport — all fees are paid through the official NIS portal only.
Note: NIS fees are set by the Nigerian government and may change. Verify current fees on the official immigration.gov.ng portal before applying.
Step 3: Book Your High Commission Appointment
After submitting your online application and paying the fee, book an appointment at the Nigerian High Commission in London:
- 📝 Address: 9 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BX
- 🌐 Appointments booked through the NIS portal or High Commission website
- ⏱️ Book as early as possible — appointment slots fill quickly, especially during school holiday periods
⚠️ Don't miss your appointment
Missed appointments typically require rebooking at the back of the queue, which can add weeks to your processing time. Arrive 15 minutes early and bring all documents.
Step 4: Documents to Bring to Your Appointment
- ✓ Printed copy of your online application form
- ✓ Payment receipt / Remita reference number
- ✓ Current or most recent expired Nigerian passport (original)
- ✓ Nigerian Birth Certificate (NPC-issued original)
- ✓ NIN slip or NIN PVC card (original)
- ✓ Proof of UK residency (BRP, residence permit, utility bill)
- → Marriage certificate (if name has changed since last passport)
- → Deed poll (if legal name change by deed poll)
Timeline and Processing Time
- Online application + payment: 1–2 days
- High Commission appointment booking: 1–4 weeks wait (longer in busy periods)
- Processing after appointment: 6–12 weeks typically
- Collection or delivery: confirmed by NIS when ready
Total realistic timeline: 8–16 weeks from application to passport in hand. Plan accordingly — do not apply when you have an imminent travel date within this window.
Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them
- ✗ No NIN or invalid NIN — the most common. Must be registered and correct before applying
- ✗ Name mismatch between NIN and application — even a minor spelling difference causes rejection. Fix your NIN first with a NIN modification
- ✗ Wrong passport photo — must be recent, white background, correct size, no glasses
- ✗ Missing or wrong Remita payment reference — payment must go through the NIS portal only
- ✗ Expired or wrong documents — all supporting documents must be originals
- ✗ Not bringing all documents to the appointment — a missing birth certificate or NIN slip on the day causes rejection and rebooking
How NINBVN.org Can Help With Your Passport
NINBVN.org provides passport processing support — we help you navigate the NIS portal, prepare your documents correctly, and avoid the rejection reasons that cause most delays. Our service does not replace the NIS process but guides you through it with expert support.
If your passport renewal is blocked because you lack a NIN or have an error on your NIN record, we resolve both in-house:
- ✓ NIN registration — if you don't yet have a NIN (adults £50, children £40)
- ✓ NIN modification — if your NIN has a name or DOB error (from £40)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A NIN is mandatory for all Nigerian passport applications and renewals since 2021. If you do not have a NIN, register for one before applying. NINBVN.org provides NIN registration in the UK — adults £50, children £40.
Typically 8–16 weeks from application to passport in hand — 1–4 weeks for an appointment slot plus 6–12 weeks processing. Plan well ahead of any travel dates.
Fix your NIN record first through a NIN modification, then apply for your passport renewal. NINBVN.org handles NIN modifications in the UK from £40.
You must attend a passport appointment at the Nigerian High Commission (or a VFS Global centre where applicable). The initial application is online, but biometric capture and document submission require an in-person appointment.
Fees are set by NIS and payable through the official immigration.gov.ng portal. Approximately $100 for a 32-page/5-year passport and $150 for a 64-page/10-year passport (USD equivalent). Verify current fees on the NIS portal before applying.