Nigeria Immigration Service suspends issuance of new passports

Wale Ameen
Online Editor

The Nigeria Immigration Service on Tuesday announced that it was suspending issuance of new international passports. This the agency says is in a bid to clear the existing backlog of applications before May 31st, 2021.

The suspension it says will be in effect between now and June 1st when it will resume receiving of fresh applications. The agency also stated that the suspension will be in effect in all its centres aside from those in Missions abroad.

It noted that notification for collection of produced Passports was already going out to applicants who provided a functional phone number in their application.

The agency further revealed that from June 1st, a new Passport processing regime will commence and it will feature some critical adjustments such as:

• Applications will be received via its website and applicants will apply, pay & upload all the required documents for Passports;
• Appointment/interview will be booked after a successful online application;
• No applicant who has not booked online appointment shall be attended to;
• That no cash payment to anyone shall be entertained in any Issuing Centre;
• That Passport application processing and issuance shall take a period of Six weeks after a successful enrollment;
• That requests for reissue can be submitted Six Months before expiration.

It appealed to all those expecting their call up to exercise patience as they are working hard to attend to everyone expecting their passports.