How to Apply for a Nigerian International Passport for the First Time in 2026: Documents, Fees and Step-by-Step Process

📌 Quick Summary: To apply for a Nigerian international passport for the first time in 2026, visit the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) portal at passport.immigration.gov.ng, click “Apply for Fresh Passport,” complete the online form, pay the fee (32-page passport: ₦35,000 + ₦1,000 service charge; 64-page passport: ₦70,000 + ₦1,000 service charge), download and print your application form, payment receipt and guarantor’s form, then visit your chosen NIS passport office for biometric capture (fingerprints and photograph). First-time applicants cannot complete the process entirely online — the in-person biometric appointment is mandatory. Processing takes approximately 6–8 weeks for first-time applications. Your NIN is mandatory for all Nigerian passport applications.

Getting a Nigerian international passport for the first time is one of the most important civic transactions an adult Nigerian will complete — and one that trips up thousands of first-timers every year because the requirements for a first-time (fresh) application are meaningfully different from the renewal process. If you already have a passport and are renewing, this guide is not for you — see NaijaSabi’s passport renewal guide. This guide is specifically for Nigerians who have never held an international passport before, covering every document you need, every step of the online and in-person process, and the most common mistakes that delay applications.

32-Page vs 64-Page Nigerian Passport — Which Should You Get?

This is the first decision first-time applicants must make — and it is worth getting right because changing your mind after payment requires a fresh application.

The 32-page passport at ₦35,000 has 5-year validity and approximately 28 usable visa pages. It is adequate for Nigerians who travel occasionally — once or twice a year — to a small number of countries. For a new passport applicant who primarily wants to have a passport for Japa purposes, visa applications or occasional international travel, the 32-page is the most cost-effective starting point.

The 64-page passport at ₦70,000 has 10-year validity and approximately 60 usable visa pages. It is the better choice for Nigerians who travel frequently, make multiple visa applications per year, or expect significant stamp accumulation across multiple countries. Business travellers, Nigerians with dual applications in progress and Japa-focused applicants who expect to accumulate UK, US, Schengen and other visas should strongly consider the 64-page. The ₦35,000 premium for double the pages and double the validity often works out cheaper in the long run than the cost of renewing the 32-page after 5 years.

Documents Required for a First-Time Nigerian Passport Application (Adult)

First-time adult applicants (18 years and above) must provide the following — bring originals to the passport office for biometric capture, and upload scanned copies during the online application:

• Birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission (NPC) — this is the primary proof of Nigerian citizenship. An NPC-issued birth certificate with your name, date of birth and state of origin is the preferred document. If you do not have an NPC birth certificate, a declaration of age by a magistrate court (sworn affidavit) is accepted as an alternative
• Primary school leaving certificate — required as a supplementary identity document. Your WAEC, NECO, GCE or other secondary school results can also serve as supplementary educational evidence
• Letter of identification — a letter confirming your identity and Nigerian citizenship, issued by one of the following: your Local Government Area (LGA) Chairman, a recognised traditional ruler (Oba, Emir, Igwe etc.), or the principal of your last attended school. This letter must be on official letterhead and signed
• NIN (National Identification Number) — mandatory for all NIS passport applications. Your 11-digit NIN must be entered during online registration. Retrieve it via *346# if needed (₦20 fee) or free at self.nimc.gov.ng
• Two recent passport photographs — white background, ICAO-compliant, taken within the last 3 months. The photographs must be clear, sharp and show your full face without accessories covering it
• Guarantor’s form (completed and signed) — downloaded from passport.immigration.gov.ng after you begin your online application. Your guarantor must be a current holder of a valid Nigerian international passport who has known you for at least 2 years. The guarantor must sign the form and attach a clear photocopy of their own valid passport’s data page. Your guarantor does not need to accompany you to the passport office — only their signed form is required
• Printed acknowledgement slip / application form — downloaded and printed after completing the online application on the portal
• Printed payment receipt — downloaded after successful payment through the portal’s gateway

Documents Required for a First-Time Nigerian Passport Application (Minor — Under 18)

• Birth certificate of the minor (NPC-issued preferred)
• Parent’s or guardian’s valid Nigerian international passport (current, not expired)
• Evidence of Nigerian citizenship of the parent(s)
• Completed passport application form (filled by the parent or guardian)
• Two recent passport photographs of the minor
• Guarantor’s form signed by the parent’s guarantor
• School identity card or letter from the minor’s school
• Applications for minors based on adoption or surrogacy can only be processed at the NIS Headquarters, Abuja

How to Apply for a Nigerian International Passport for the First Time — Full Step-by-Step

1. Go to the NIS portal. Open passport.immigration.gov.ng in your browser. This is the official Nigerian Immigration Service passport portal. Do not apply through any other website — the official portal is the only legitimate application channel
2. Create an account. Click “Register” and enter your email address, phone number and basic details. Verify your email via the confirmation link sent to your inbox. Save your login credentials — you will need them to return to your application
3. Select “Apply for Fresh Passport.” On the dashboard, find and click “Apply for Fresh Passport” (not “Renewal/Re-issue”). First-time applicants must use the Fresh Passport option — selecting the wrong type causes your application to be rejected
4. Complete the online application form. Fill in your personal details: full name exactly as on your birth certificate, date of birth, state of origin, local government area, NIN, contact address, next of kin and your chosen passport office for biometric capture. Select your passport type: 32-page or 64-page. Double-check every field before submitting — errors at this stage require starting over
5. Upload your documents. The portal prompts you to upload scanned copies of your documents — birth certificate, NIN, supporting education certificate and passport photograph. Ensure scans are clear, within the file size limits specified and in the correct format (PDF or JPEG as specified)
6. Pay the fee through the portal. Click “Proceed to Online Payment.” Pay ₦35,000 (32-page) or ₦70,000 (64-page) plus the ₦1,000 service charge through the portal’s payment gateway. Card payment and some bank payment options are available through the gateway. Do not transfer directly to any bank account — bank transfers are not accepted and will not credit your application
7. Download and print three documents. After successful payment, download and print: your application form (passport application form with your details), your payment receipt (proof of payment) and your guarantor’s form (for your guarantor to complete and sign). Keep all three — you will bring them to the passport office
8. Have your guarantor complete and sign the guarantor’s form. Deliver the guarantor’s form to your guarantor. They must complete it, sign it and attach a clear photocopy of their own valid Nigerian passport’s data page (the page with their photo and personal details). Collect the completed guarantor’s form before your appointment — the passport office will not process your capture without it
9. Visit the NIS passport office for biometric capture. Attend your chosen passport office on your scheduled appointment date with: all original supporting documents (birth certificate, school certificate, letter of identification, NIN), your printed application form, printed payment receipt, completed guarantor’s form and two passport photographs. At the office, NIS officers will verify your documents, take your biometric data (fingerprints and facial photograph) and process your application. Dress appropriately — no face coverings, glasses or heavy makeup that obscures facial features
10. Track your application. After biometric capture, you receive a validation number or reference number. Use this to track your application status at passport.immigration.gov.ng. You also receive SMS updates to the phone number registered on your application. Processing typically takes 6–8 weeks for first-time applications
11. Collect your passport. When your passport is ready, you receive an SMS notification. Return to the NIS passport office where you completed biometric capture to collect it, with your acknowledgement slip and a valid ID

The Guarantor Requirement — The Most Common Source of Delay for First-Time Applicants

The guarantor requirement is where the majority of first-time Nigerian passport applications stall. Understanding it clearly will save you significant time:

• Your guarantor must hold a valid (not expired) Nigerian international passport. An expired passport disqualifies them as a guarantor
• Your guarantor must have known you for at least 2 years — they are vouching for your identity and Nigerian citizenship
• Your guarantor signs the NIS-issued guarantor form — which you download from the portal after completing your online application. Do not use any other guarantor form from any other source
• Your guarantor must attach a clear photocopy of their own passport’s data page to the signed form
• Your guarantor does not accompany you to the passport office — only their signed form and passport copy are required
• Common mistake: Applicants ask someone with an expired passport to be their guarantor. An expired Nigerian passport cannot be used — your guarantor must hold a passport currently within its valid period
• If you genuinely cannot find anyone with a valid Nigerian passport, a letter from a recognised public official (LGA Chairman, traditional ruler, law enforcement officer, judge or judicial officer) countersigned with an official stamp may be accepted at some passport offices as an alternative — confirm with your specific office before attempting this route

Common Mistakes That Delay First-Time Nigerian Passport Applications

• Selecting “Renewal/Re-issue” instead of “Fresh Passport” — these are different application streams. Always select “Fresh Passport” for your first passport
• Attempting to pay by direct bank transfer — bank transfers are not accepted. Payment must go through the portal’s payment gateway only
• Uploading blurry or low-resolution document scans — NIS reviewers reject unclear uploads, which delays verification. Scan at minimum 300 DPI or use a scanning app on your phone (Adobe Scan, CamScanner) in good lighting
• Name mismatch between documents — your name on your birth certificate, NIN and application form must match exactly. A single discrepancy (middle name absent from one document, or a different spelling) causes delays. Resolve name discrepancies through a sworn affidavit before applying
• Not printing all three documents — some applicants attend the passport office without the printed guarantor’s form. All three documents (application form, payment receipt, guarantor’s form) must be printed and brought to the office
• Passport photographs not meeting NIS specifications — white background, no accessories covering the face, no tinted glasses. Photographs that do not meet specifications are rejected at capture

How to Track Your Nigerian Passport Application Status Online

After biometric capture at the NIS passport office, you can monitor your application’s progress:

1. Go to passport.immigration.gov.ng
2. Log in to your account and navigate to “Track Application” or “Application Status”
3. Enter your validation number or application reference number from your acknowledgement slip
4. Your application status is displayed — stages include: application received, documents verified, biometric processed, passport printed, passport dispatched, ready for collection

You also receive SMS notifications to your registered number at key stages. If your application has been processing for more than 8 weeks with no status update, contact the NIS customer care line or visit the passport office in person with your acknowledgement slip to request a manual status check.

Frequently Asked Questions — Nigerian Passport First Time 2026

What documents do I need for a first-time Nigerian passport in 2026?

First-time adult applicants need: a birth certificate from the National Population Commission (NPC) or a magistrate court declaration of age, a primary school leaving certificate or equivalent educational document, a letter of identification from your LGA chairman, traditional ruler or school principal, your NIN (11-digit National Identification Number), two recent white-background passport photographs, a completed and signed guarantor’s form (with photocopy of the guarantor’s valid Nigerian passport), and your printed application form and payment receipt downloaded from passport.immigration.gov.ng after completing the online application and paying the fee.

How much does it cost to get a Nigerian passport for the first time in 2026?

A first-time Nigerian international passport costs ₦35,000 for the 32-page booklet (5-year validity) or ₦70,000 for the 64-page booklet (10-year validity), plus a ₦1,000 service charge on either option — bringing the total to ₦36,000 or ₦71,000 respectively. Payment is made through the NIS portal payment gateway at passport.immigration.gov.ng — direct bank transfers are not accepted. The 64-page option is recommended for frequent travellers; the 32-page is adequate for occasional travel. NIS periodically reviews passport fees, so always confirm the current amount on the official portal before paying.

How long does a first-time Nigerian passport take in 2026?

First-time Nigerian passport applications typically take 6–8 weeks from the date of biometric capture at the NIS passport office. Passport renewals process faster — typically 3–6 weeks. Processing time varies by the volume of applications at your chosen passport office, administrative backlog at the NIS printing facility, and whether any document verification issues arise. Track your application status online at passport.immigration.gov.ng using your validation number. If no update appears after 8 weeks, contact NIS or visit the passport office in person with your acknowledgement slip. NIS advises Nigerians to apply at least 3–6 months before their intended travel date to allow for processing time.

Who can be a guarantor for a Nigerian passport?

Your guarantor for a first-time Nigerian international passport must be a holder of a current, valid Nigerian international passport — not expired. They must have known you for at least 2 years and can vouch for your identity and Nigerian citizenship. They sign the NIS-issued guarantor form (downloaded from passport.immigration.gov.ng) and attach a clear photocopy of their own passport’s data page. Your guarantor does not need to accompany you to the passport office. A family member, friend, colleague, teacher or any Nigerian adult with a valid passport who meets the criteria can serve as your guarantor. Ensure their passport is not expired before asking them — an expired passport disqualifies them as a guarantor.

Sources

1. The Guardian Nigeria — How to Apply and Track Your Nigerian Passport Online — guardian.ng
2. The Condia — How to apply for your Nigerian Passport online — thecondia.com
3. Cadremit — How to Get an International Passport in Nigeria — cadremit.com
4. Nigerian Immigration Service — official passport portal — passport.immigration.gov.ng / immigration.gov.ng

Last updated: 4 October 2026 · NaijaSabi Civic Desk. Nigerian Immigration Service processes and fees are subject to change. Always confirm current requirements and fees at the official NIS portal passport.immigration.gov.ng before beginning your application. NaijaSabi is not affiliated with the Nigerian Immigration Service.