If you are a Nigerian citizen planning to travel abroad, one of the essential documents you will need is a Nigerian International passport. However, obtaining a Nigerian International passport can be a challenging and costly process, especially if you are not familiar with the requirements and procedures involved. 
 

This article discusses the critical factors you need to consider when budgeting for an International passport in Nigeria. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of what it takes to obtain a Nigerian international passport and how to budget for it effectively.

What is an International Passport?

The international passport serves as a crucial document for any individual who wishes to travel abroad. It acts as a primary proof of identification issued by the government of one's country and is recognized internationally. 
 

It not only serves as a form of identification but also demonstrates that the holder is a legal citizen of their home country, allowing them to access various essential services, including medical assistance and legal aid. 

Additionally, an International passport serves as proof of identity, which can be useful in verifying other documents necessary for international travel such as visas and birth certificates. 
 

An International passport contains important information about the holder, such as their name, date of birth, photograph, and other unique identifiers. It is required by nearly all countries throughout the world in order to enter, exit, or transit through their borders. 
 

Without a valid International passport, an individual will not be allowed to leave or enter their country of origin or any foreign land. Therefore, obtaining and carrying a valid International passport is a necessity for anyone who wants to experience international travel. It is imperative to ensure that one's International passport is up-to-date and valid before embarking on any international journey. 

Requirements for Obtaining a Nigerian International Passport 

To obtain a Nigerian International passport, one must provide proof of Nigerian citizenship, such as a birth certificate or national identity card. 

The Nigerian government issues four types of passports: 
 

• Standard International Passport 
• Official International Passport
• Seamans Book 
• Diplomatic International Passport

1. Standard International Passport 

Green in colour, the Standard International Passport is issued to Nigerians for regular travel. The Standard International passport has a lifespan of ten years.

Documents Requirement to Get the Standard International Passport in Nigeria 

Documents required for the Standard International Passport in Nigeria include: 
 

• Identification letter  from your Local Government Council of Origin
• Proof of age such as a declaration of age from a court or a birth certificate 
• Two (2) recent white background passport photographs
• A guarantor’s form
• A letter of consent from a parent (Applicable to someone below the age of 16 years)
• A marriage certificate (Applicable to someone who is married)
• A police report (In case of a lost or stolen International passport)

2. Official International Passport

The Official International passport is issued to government officials and Nigerian Ambassadors. The Official International passport is blue in colour. The Official International passport has a lifespan of five years. 

Documents Requirements to Get The Official International Passport In Nigeria

Documents required for the Official International Passport in Nigeria include: 

• A letter of appointment from any appropriate level of government at the State or Federal level 
• A marriage certificate where necessary 
• A police report (In case of a lost or stolen International passport)
• A letter of last promotion or a letter of appointment 
• Application to be submitted to the passport office, the Embassy, or High Commission along with other documents. 

3. Seamans Book 

The Seamans Book is a passport issued to people who work on shipping vessels and watercraft. The Seaman's Book is maroon in colour.

Documents Requirements to Get The Seamans Book In Nigeria

Documents required to get the Seaman’s Book in Nigeria include: 
 

• Identification letter and proof that the applicant is a seaman 
• A completed application form 
• A Local Government letter of identification 
• Birth certificate or age declaration 
• 2 recent coloured passport photographs (with white background)

Application to be submitted to the passport office, the Embassy, or High Commission along with other documents.

4. Diplomatic International Passport

Red in colour, the Diplomatic International passport is issued to government officials who are travelling out of the country on official assignments. It is given free of charge to government officials on official assignments outside the country. 

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How to Apply for a Diplomatic International Passport

To apply for a Diplomatic International passport, you will have to visit the office of the Comptroller General in Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters to write and submit the application. 
 

Along with the International passport application, you will need to submit the following documents: 

• 2 passports photography
• Appointment letter
• Proof of age
• Return certificate from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ( applicable to political officeholders)
   

You will have to wait for verification of the documents before you take the next step, which is to do biometric capture to get your Nigerian International passport.

All Nigerian International passports require that applicants submit the following documents: 

• An acknowledgement slip 
• Payment receipt
• 2 recent photographs
• Printed copy of a completed application form 
• Lastly, two guarantors will need to sign your papers. 
   

The guarantor must also be able to vouch for your character and identity. They will be required to sign your application form as a declaration of their support. 
 

This process helps to ensure the authenticity of the information you provided on the application and is an important part of maintaining the security and integrity of the international passport system. 
 

As such, it is essential that as an applicant, you carefully choose your guarantors and provide all necessary documentation to support their application. 
 

The documents to be submitted by the guarantors include:
 

• Photocopy of the Data page of the Nigerian Standard International Passport
• Driving License or National Identity Card 
   

The signed application form could be submitted at any passport office, Embassy, High Commission 

How Much is International Passport in Nigeria?

When applying for a Nigeria International passport, it is important to consider the cost in order to budget appropriately.  You will need to consider the costs of the following: 
 

• International passport application fee
• Biometric capturing fee 
• Passport photograph, and 
• Other documents (i.e. birth certificate, proof of citizenship, driver's license, etc.)
   

The cost of obtaining these documents may vary depending on the type of document required and other factors.

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) International Passport Application Fees by Age and Booklet Type

NIS International Passport Fee by Age and Booklet Type Table 

How Much Does International Passport Renewal Cost in Nigeria?

The price of renewing a Nigeria International passport differs the same way that the price of getting a new International passport differs.
 

The prices differ based on: 

• Age of the applicant, 
• The number of leaves (pages) in the booklet 
• The duration of the International passport expiration (Either 5 years or 10 years)

Factors That Determine The Cost of a Nigeria International Passport 

The following factors determine the cost of an international passport in Nigeria; 

1. The Types of Booklets

There is a price difference between a 32-page booklet and a 64-page booklet. 
 

2. Validity Period (Expiration period)

The number of leaves (pages) on the booklets influences the cost of obtaining the booklets. There are 64-page booklets with a 10-year validity period and the regular 32-page booklet with a 5-year validity period.
 

3. Region of Application in Nigeria 

In the Southern region of Nigeria, the cost of a Nigeria International passport is very high, compared to the Northern region of Nigeria.
 

The reason is that the surge of people leaving the country from the South is higher than the number of people leaving the country from the North (besides Abuja). 
 

While the cost of acquiring an international passport in Nigeria may vary depending on the above factors, applicants must follow all necessary procedures and requirements to prevent unnecessary delays and rejections. 

Step By Step Process On How To Pay For International Passport Application Fees Online in Nigeria

Once you have clicked on the "Submit Application" button and viewed the "Applicant details page", the next step is to proceed to payment. 

There are two ways you can pay your application fees online. Pay via bank method or credit card method. We explained more about this later.
 

Here is the step-by-step process on how to pay for international passport ap[lication fees in Nigeria:
 

• To proceed with the application fees, click on the button that says “Proceed to Online Payment” 
• Click to select your Payment Currency. There are two (2) payment currency options:  “Pay in Naira” or “Pay in Dollars”
• Click on the ‘Continue’ button
• Choose your preferred currency: Naira or US Dollars
• (If you prefer to pay in Naira, you will be prodded to select your PayType - that is payment method: “Bank”, “Credit OR Debit card”

1. Bank Payment Method

Follow the process below for the bank payment method:

• At the PayType, payment method, select “Bank” and click continue,
• You will see the list of participating banks, click on ‘Continue’ to proceed
• To print your "Payment Acknowledgment Slip", together with the Transaction ID, Application ID and Reference Number click on the "Print Acknowledgment" button
• Proceed to a participating bank for payment with a copy of your "Payment acknowledgement slip"

After making your payment at any of the participating banks, you will be given an "approved payment platform provider" receipt. This receipt contains your "Validation Number". 
 

You will need this "Validation Number" to confirm your payment on the NIS portal. 

2. Credit/Debit Card Payment Method

For the credit or debit card payment method: 
 

• At the PayType, payment method, select “Credit OR Debit card” and click continue
• Proceed to fill in your login credentials
• Click on the "Login" button to enter the payment portal. You will see the "PAY" button, click on it and your application details will be displayed 
• After viewing your application details, click on the “Continue” button
• You will be taken to the  "Value Card" payment page, put in your card information and Click on the "OK" button
• Your "Validation Number" will be generated after making your payment. Store the Validation number, you will use it to confirm your payment
   

You can also click on the "Print the Receipt" button to print a receipt.

How to Confirm Your Payment for the Nigerian International Using Your Validation Number
 

Copy the "Validation Number" that was generated after making your payment to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal to confirm your payment.
 

Follow the steps below:
 

• On the NIS portal go to "Query your Application Payment Status" and enter your International Passport Application ID and Reference No
• Type the receipt number from your "approved payment platform provider" receipt on the "Validation Number" field
• Click on the "Search Record" button. You will be taken to the "Applicant’s Details" page, where a date for your interview has been generated
• Click on the appropriate buttons to print your NIS receipt or your Acknowledgement Slip. 
• Your NIS e-receipt or Acknowledgement Slip will be displayed in a new window
• Click on the "Print" button to send a copy of the receipt or slip to the printer.

Conclusion
 

Ultimately, it is important to note that the cost of an International passport in Nigeria may change over time. It is also important to know that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) does not support International passport applications through roadside vendors as this may lead to the termination of the applicant's request. 
 

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) website serves as both a guide and a place to apply for your International passport at a standard price.
 

We hope that you now have a better understanding of what it takes to obtain a Nigerian international passport and how to budget for it effectively.
 

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