The good news about obtaining a new Nigerian passport, renewing or having an expired one reissued is that the process is very fast and efficient compared with how it was about 10 years ago. The not so good news about the new more efficient set up includes the fact that regardless of what part of the UK you live, you have to travel to the Nigerian High Commission in the West End of London to complete the passport application process. (A new consulate is now open in Manchester, there is hardly any mention of it on the Nigerian High Commission’s website as at the tip of writing this article).
The process of obtaining or renewing a Nigerian passport can be broadly divided into two parts: The first part is the online application and payment, the second part involves making an appointment to visit the Nigerian High Commission passport section in London or Manchester to complete the process.
Apply for Nigerian Passport Online (e-passport)
To simplify the application process, the stages you need to go through will be listed. Your first port of call to kick-start the process is Nigerian High Commission website which is: http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk.
1. Once at the website, click on the passport link, you will be taken to a page where you will see all the requirements for obtaining or renewing a passport. Click on the link at the bottom of the options that apply to you.
2. The button you clicked in step one will take you to the homepage of Nigerian Immigration Service, on the top navigation menu, click on Apply Online. On the new page, in the passport section, click on ePassport Application form.
3. You will be presented with two passport types: Standard ePassport and Official ePassport. Select Standard ePassport, confirm the country you are applying from and you will be taken to the next stage which is the payment stage.
3. You will be transferred to a company called SW Global LLC . You are invited to Start Application by login into SW Global. You can only login with Google, Yahoo or Facebook ID, if you do not use any of the aforementioned services, you have to create a openID offered by SW Global LLC. Once you are able to login into SW Global LLC, you need to pay attention to the terms and conditions of using the site and the fact that the credit card you use must be yours (the name must match the name on your application).
4. Once your payment has been collected successfully, you will receive an acknowledgement from SW Global LLC, some of the information on the acknowledgement such as bringing 2 passport photographs with your application is outdated, ePassport does not require you to bring passport photographs, you photo will be taken at the High Commission by the High Commission staff at no additional charge to you.
You will find an up-to-date information on what you need to take to the High Commission on their website.
For passport renewal, here are the items you need to PRINT and take with you to the embassy:
Your old passport (for renewal or reissue)
Completed online passport application form
Online application payment confirmation slip
Online application acknowledgement slip
Appointment booking slip (you get this at step 5 of the process)
Applicable fee in postal order.
5. Now go back to the Nigerian High Commission website, under Immigration navigation find the e Passport appointment booking. Choose a suitable date and slot, you will be asked for your application ID and Reference number, provide it and book an appointment to go to the High Commission. Note that despite booking a slot online, when you arrive at the High Commission you will still have to join a queue, served on first come first served basis.
You also need to be aware that you cannot book same day appointment.
Second Part of Nigerian ePassport Application Process
Appointment at The Nigerian High Commission for ePassport
So as not to have a wasted journey, you must ensure you have all the documents you are required to bring to the High Commission, if you do not, you will be turned back at the door. The High Commission advertises this telephone number 020 7556 8131 if you have any questions about the application processes. If you are not able to print your documents at home, there is service centre in the High Commission where you can print out the required documents.
Once you are in the High Commission, you will be given a number, just take a seat and relax till you are called to present your documents, once you hand over your documents, you take a seat again until you are invited to the biometric unit’s waiting room. You will eventually be invited to the biometric room where your picture is taken, you sign electronically and your finger print take digitally.
Once you are done with the biometric unit, your visit is complete. You will be given a receipt with your personal details and the date you may collect your new ePassport. It usually take about 8 working days.
Useful Information
- The passport section is usually open between 9AM and 1 PM. (Not to be confused with this well advertised visit hours visiting hours other than for consular and Immigration purposes are from 11:00am-17:00pm .
- They don’t like you using a mobile phone on the premises, switch your mobile phone off before entering the High Commission.
- Customer Services Telephone Numbers: 020 7556 8131; 020 7556 8160; 020 7839 1244. Ext. 231 and 260
- There is hardly any mention of the Manchester Consular services on the High Commission’s website but it appears the address is:
Nigerian House
Appleby House
Platt Lane, Manchester,
Greater Manchester M14 5NE
Personal Experience at the Nigerian High Commission London
by Bim Labi
First off, a big thank you to all those who have been kind enough to leave feedback on this post, its helping others who need to deal with Naija High Commission. We received an email from Ms Bin Labi about her experience renewing here passport. Here is a brief excerpt:
hought I will write my experience and how it worked in Nigeria high commission in UK as of yesterday (7th November 2013)
Guy( security) at the door checked confirmation of payment and ask that phone be switched off. You are asked to go downstairs to the waiting area( comfortable sitting area ) there is vending machine for drinks crisps and chocolate towards the back of the waiting area. There is service area for those people that forgot to print the necessary document from the internet at a price( not expensive though)
A small room by the left side on entering the waiting area, you will obtain the a ticket from another security guy ( new!! as people take more than one ticket and give to their friends), for some reason this guy asked for my old passport and didn’t even wait to see it before he gave me a ticket.
You can read her full story here.
I can’t make two trips to London because I’m in Wales can I send someone with an authorisation letter to collect it on my behalf
Why not contact the embassy directly to find out? You can call them on any of this numbers: 020 7556 8131; 020 7556 8160; 020 7839 1244 Ext. 231 and Ext. 260
Hello Temi,
Thanks for the post, it’s been very helpful. Do you pls know roughly how long it takes to get a renewal? Weeks or months? Thanks
Hello Vivian,
It took weeks rather than months. The trick is to ensure you take all the documents the need when you visit Nigerian house, that way you will reduce the time you spend at the high commission and the need to go back. Good luck.
Thanks so much for your reply. I was worried I might not get it in time for Christmas, but now that I know it takes just a couple of weeks, I will go ahead and apply immediately. Thanks again.
hi, thanks so much for this… for renewal of e-passport, do i need local govt letter of identification, gurantors form and the likes?
Olachi,
Where are you based, in Nigeria or outside Nigeria?
i am in the UK
i am a student in the Uk, Nigerian of course but my passport is soon to expire and i want to renew it here in the UK.
No, you do not need need local govt letter of identification, gurantors form etc for passport renewals in UK. What you need to renew your passport after 5 years are:
Original copy of the old passport of less than 10 years from the date of issue;
Payment confirmed slip
£40 British Postal Order made payable to the Nigeria High Commission, London
Hello Temi, pls correct me if I’m wrong. Are there 2 different payments to be made, one on the website ($65) and the other at the consulate (the £40 postal order)? Thanks.
You are quite right, the £40 postal order payment is paid to the consulate when you go there. The second payment of $65 is paid online.
Thanks
Okay, it’s very clear now. Thanks a lot for your help. I will definitely post a comment when I get it. God bless you.
Sir,i ‘m living in greece now and i want to renew my epassport,but the instruction to pay online is that,the applicant’s name must match with the payment card.and i dont have any of this cards,so how can i pay online in order to renew my epassport?ur urgent answer will help me please.thanks.
Cletus,
The solution will be for you to get a friend or family with the kind of card they accept to make the payment for you. You need to take not of the item two on the payment instruction page which says:
THE FOLLOWING USERS ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER THEIR CARDS BEFORE MAKING PAYMENT ON THE SITE:
2. CARDHOLDERS MAKING PAYMENTS FOR OTHERS.
You can find the full instruction here: https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/passport/epassport
Good luck
hey, many thanks for your response, i have filled the application online and am about to pay… however i thought the postal order fee was 20pounds while the online payment is $65, you say its 40pounds… are you positive abou this?
You don’t have to take my world for it, you can see the fees here: http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/fees-processing-online . Read the payment information section.
Thanks
hey, i actually just called them and got through…after forever.. the man i spoke to said its a 20pound postal order for renewal with the $65 online payment.
I think that person is probably right and I am wrong….. looking at this page http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/pdf/epptforoldpptholder.pdf , it says £20 as well.
hey, been through the fees document link you posted above..and its confirmed $65 online payment and 20pounds postal order for re-issue with new passport. The e-passport is re-issued really even though its a renewal, you have to get a new passport entirely. dont know if that makes sense but anyway..thanks a lot for this post… i will be done soon.
I don’t understand what’s wrong but I can’t make payment online. IkKeep getting a message saying “Connection lost. Please try again later…………….” Has anyone experienced this issue, pls? Thank you.
Good luck, I hope its sorted out for your quickly 🙂
keep trying vivian.. it will go through.. i had the same issue… whats weird is that after paying and getting the acknowledgemnt slip…there was an appointment date already ont he acknoledgement slip.. so should i still book an appoinment and slot..or not? Naija Naija… SMH
I think you may still need to book an appointment using this page: http://nhc.3tb.co/index.php . They don’t seem to go by the appointment date on the acknowledgement slip.
Hi Temi,
I want to renew my epassport but I want to ensure I go through the right process. Do I need to make a new application via SW Global LLC ?? This is so confusing, please assist me. Thank you.
Fola,
The application itself is still through Nigerian High Commission, the part of the process that concerns SW Global LLC is when you need to pay the online fee. Try and follow the step by step guide in this tutorial. Let us know if you need any other info.
Thanks
Hi again Temi,
I have completed the filling of the application but it won’t take me to the checkout page. I have been on it for 30mins and it’s just loading ? Any suggestions please?
Thank you.
Hi Fola,
I did not have that problem when I use the site but looking at the comment left by others it seem you need to try again.
Cheers
Hi Temi,
I got it sorted. Thank you
Fantastic,
thanks for coming back to give me feedback, all the best 🙂
Hi I lost my passport is the same process applicable?
Because in the requirements I am to get an age declaration signed by the nigerian high commission, is it the one in uk or nigeria cos now I’m in uk?
§ Submission of Birth Certificate or Sworn Declaration of Age duly signed by Commissioner for Oaths of Nigeria High Commission;
§ Submission of a Sworn Declaration of the loss of Passport signed by the Commissioner for Oaths of the Nigeria High Commission;
Some part of it applies BUT you will also need police report backing us your assertion that your passport is lost. You may also want to look on this page to see of you passport has been found and returned to Nigerian High Commission: http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/uploads/news/lostandfoundepassport.pdf
Since you are in UK at the moment, its got to be the High Commission in UK you go to. Perhaps you want to phone them first: +(44) 207 839 1244
Thanks, I also want to know of police reference is different from a report, because I’ve been to two different police stations they said they can only give me a reference and not a report.
Tempi, I appreciate ur help thanks , but do u knw how long this will take?
Its the same thing. They just want evidence that the police has been made aware that the passport is lost .
Thanks
I am not absolutely sure I have a feeling it may take about 3 weeks. The sooner you start the quicker because if you delay a bit when people going to Naija for December started going to the High Commission, things takes even longer.
Thanks Olachi, payment finally went through.
Hello Temi, I finally made payment and chose an appointment date and slot number but the interview date on the acknowledgement slip is different. Do I need to reschedule the interview date to match my appointment date, or just leave it and turn up on the date I chose? It’s not very clear. Thanks
Where is the Nigerian high commission ?
Forgot to add that this post has been most helpful so far
Tayo,
Its at: nigeria House, 9 Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5BX. In the West End of London.
Hello temi, thanks for this post! I had to look for it again and I followed your procedures step by step, it saved me much headache, fear and unncessary anxiety. However, I am confused about something else, what do you mean by ‘Online application payment confirmation slip’ and ‘Online application acknowledgement slip?’
Are both documents same thing? I know the confirmation slip is what one gets immediately one has paid for the e passport, right? However, how do I get the online application acknowledgement slip?
Thanks and expecting your reply!
Omoby
Hey Omoby,
You got the payment confirmation slip right. The so called ‘Online application acknowledgement slip?’ is a summary of all the details you provided during the application process, after the final step, you are able to save and print it. That is what the Nigerian High Commission mean by ‘Online application acknowledgement slip?’
Cheers
Thanks a million
Hi Temi,
Thanks for the well structured post.
Please i need to get around this.
As you’ve mentioned in your post that theres an office also in Manchester,
I’ve just completed the online application form for passport renewal/re-issue.
As London was the only location available, i’ve selected london.
Do you know if theres any possibility of re routing to manchester to complete the process?
If there is, please can you kindly guide me through how to go about it.
Thanks, i will be expecting your response.
Cheers
Hello Felix,
I am based in London so I use the London High Commission but yes, there is a High Commission in Manchester and I have a feeling (but not 100% sure) you can choose to complete the application process in Manchester instead of London despite the only choice in the application process being London. It may be useful to give the High Commission a call on one of their numbers to clarify things.
If you will be kind enough to update this page once you find out the solution so that others who are closer to Manchester than London will know how to go about thing, it would be fantastic.
Thanks
Thanks somuch for your reply! I appreciate your prompt response…Yeah, I have printed the online confirmation slip and the other documents too. Now, you said I should go back to the site and book for an appointment.
My questions are below:
1) Can I book for a day as Saturday or Sunday?
2) On the select date, I am seeing some dates in black and cancelled, some in red and cancelled, some in red and black (without cancellation)Please what does it mean?
3) Likewise, on the select slot dates, I am seeing some dates in black and cancelled, some in red and cancelled, some in red and black (without cancellation) Please what does this mean?
4)Which would you advise I pick?
5) How would this affect my time there?
6)How long does it take to get it done? (because you say on the first visit, one would only be invited to the biometric room where my picture would be taken, signed elctronocally and my finger print)
7) How long does collection of the e passport take too? (Which I believe is the final stage)
Thank you once again for your help…I appreciate you!
Expecting a prompt response.
Regards,
Omoby
Thanks for your response Temi.
I’ve called, asking to know if the process could be completed in their Manchester office, They acknowledged theres an office in Manchester, but unfortunately, the process cannot be completed in Manchester. It has to be in London. So, i’d have to arrange to travel to London to get the process off my schedule.
Thanks for your time.
Cheers.
Felix,
Thanks very much for that update. Its a shame they are making people who live far away from London come to London just to complete a process that could even be completed by post. Good luck when you come to London.
All the best
Hello Omoby,
Here is answer to some of your questions:
1. I do not think they work Weekends, you will probably notice that all the time on Saturday and Sundays are cancelled, looks like they just don’t know how to remove Saturday and Sunday from the booking system completely.
2. The best way to go about about it is select a date (Monday – Friday) on the right hand side, the black slots are the one that can be selected, ignore the red/cancelled one, it means its been taken.
3. Please refer to the answer I gave in second step.
4. Pick a black one (and read the feedback the system provides for example if the slot you selected is free, it says something like : Slot Selected: 71
5. The earlier in the day your slot, the sooner they will see you (Interestingly, once you are insider, you have to choose a queuing ticket, they will use the ticket you get once insider to call you.
6. How long will really depend on the number of people there on the day. The thing you are actually there to do takes about 10 – 15 minutes BUT you will probably wait for 2 hours or more.
7. Collection of the passport (which will be on a different day) is actually very quick, it took me about 20 minutes. I was just sent to the collection area, I signed the document to say I have collected the passport and I was out of there withing a few minutes. Its the first part where you do the biomeric etc etc that takes a lot of time and processing.
Good luck.
Temi
Hi temi, pls how wil I renew my passport here in london, can u help me pls? Thx u
Hello Onyinye,
Its quite simple but a long boring process. Here is what the Nigerian High Commission wants from you:
Passport Renewal and Extension(After 5 years from the date of issue)
(Passport, which has not yet served the normal ten years lifespan): Extention is granted ONLY to applicants that have already applied for e-passport and in possession of the “PAYMENT CONFIRMED” slip, BUT CANNOT WAIT for the interview date because of urgent need of a valid passport.Compulsory requirements are:
Original copy of the old passport of less than 10 years from the date of issue;
Payment confirmed slip (regardless of date of interview);
£40 British Postal Order made payable to the Nigeria High Commission, London
You can find out more and get the process started here: http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/passport-requirements
Hi
Thanks for your well structured post; I noticed the date on the acknowledgement slip is different from the date i picked when i went to the appointment booking page. Does this make any difference or can it affect my application? How soon do people get the passport because my employer wants me to get it before i continue working and I have up till 31st Oct to submit the new one.
A Malaysian court has ruled that non-Muslims cannot use the word Allah to refer to God, even in their own faiths, overturning a 2009 lower court ruling.
Hi,
Regarding the dates on acknowledgement slip and appointment .. You appointment date must be after the date on your acknowledgement slip, they will not see you if the appointment date is earlier.
How long it take for se passport renewal tends to vary, I think it probably will not take less than two weeks but I am not sure
Good luck
Hi,
I was just wondering if they still collect your old passport and hold on to it till you get the new one. My sister recently renewed her passport in London and they collected her old passport and misplaced it. Is it possible to avoid them collecting you old passport?
Abby,
Unfortunately they usually insist on seeing and keeping your old passport. Mine was not lost, it was given back to me with the new passport. You just have to keep your fingers crossed and hope they do not lose your old one when you give it to them.
I have heard stories similar to the one about your sister…. they seem much better organised now though.
Ive found this post and comments very helpful but I still have a question to ask.
my passport isnt due to expire till next august but I have to renew my work visa in feb. Do u think renewing my passport this december is too early and approximately how long does it take to get a new passport
Amina,
If all you are doing is renewing your passport rather than having it re-issued, its very quick, I thinks they seem to get that done in a day, if its a re-issue (you need to be issued with a completely new passport, that tends to take up to 3-4 week, maybe more at this time of the year when loads of people travel back to Naija). Perhaps you should wait till after the December rush is over and get it done in early January, just in time before you need to renew your work visa.
Thanks
hello temi ,,i really dint know we had q&a colum that actually works..,and good feed back i wish i can have your email to some more personal enquries
anyway i have a mate in Russia who is having difficulty getting a passport simpl because the commission does not have the facility to do that …
I have no first hand experience with the Nigerian embassy in Russia but I will do some research and update this post by Friday.
Thanks
As per your reply to Amina, what is the difference between renewing and reissuing, can you give use examples please?
Hello Loma,
I hope this clears it up for you:
Passport Renewal or Extension. This is what you do to a passport that is 5 years old. In other words, you can renew or extend your passport for another 5 years, if you have had it for 5 years. The high commission usually just stamp the passport you have now and its good for another 5 years.
Passport Reissue – This is what is done to passport you have had for 10 years. You are given a completely new and different passport to the one you have that has served its 10 years lifespan.
Thanks. It’s just a bit annoying that I have to go all the way to London from Scotland just to renew. Think I’ll try and sort it out in Nov instead of Jan if it takes a day.
I can imagine the frustration for those of you who do not live in or near London. The High Commission is to London centric. They really should arrange perhaps a postal service for those of you who live in say Scotland. Its a very long journey from Scotland to London.
Thanks a lot for your reply, that was very helpful.
Good work on the article too, God bless.
Hi Temi
Just a question here, I Know of the former MRP passport being extended for 5yrs after the first 5yrs but i don’t think same applies to the E-passport
Hi Temi. On my application I’ve been given an interview date in November. Do I still need to book a slot? And if so can I book it for the same day as my interview date? Thanks.
Hi Jules,
Yes, you still need to book an slot, yes again, the slot you book needs to be on your interview date. The so called slots are basically to book a time of the day for your interview.
Good luck
Hi Temi
Going by your post on 16th October you said
Hi,
Regarding the dates on acknowledgement slip and appointment .. You appointment date must be after the date on your acknowledgement slip, they will not see you if the appointment date is earlier.
How long it take for se passport renewal tends to vary, I think it probably will not take less than two weeks but I am not sure
Good luck
But the one on 24th october you said
Hi Jules,
Yes, you still need to book an slot, yes again, the slot you book needs to be on your interview date. The so called slots are basically to book a time of the day for your interview.
Good luck
Its confusing now because there is no slot left on the date i have as interview date after booking a slot for a later date
Abi,
When you get the so called interview date. Lets say its 10/10/2013 . You can go to the appointment booking page and book a slot for 9/10/2013 . They will not see you on 9/10/2013, they want you to book the slot for either 10/10/2013 or later. To be on the safer side, I will book the appointment for 11/10/2013.
I hope this clarifies the inconsistency in my post.
Thanks
Hi temi, thanks a lot for the post , got mine 9 days after the interview date
Tayo,
Pleased know you got your renewal sorted and coming back to give feedback on how long it took to get the passport after your interview.
The info should help others know roughly how long it will take to get the passport after the interview.
hi. I have been trying to renew my passport since September. Im not sure if my situation is similar to any others. I did the online process and arrived at the embassy as scheduled, the process was okay and I waited about an hour n half in total, which wasn’t bad. when I was called for the biometrics part, I was told they would need to contact the abuja office and give me a call back in a week or two to come back to the embassy to give biometrics and have the new passport about a week after that. It has been 8 weeks today. I called the main passport office and spoke to a nice man who always redirects me to extension 211. Thing is ext 211 have never picked up, and I have dialled at least 50 times over the past weeks. my passport has now expired and I need it renewed urgently…Any tips, advice would be welcome……
hi. I have been trying to renew my passport since September. Im not sure if my situation is similar to any others. I did the online process and arrived at the embassy as scheduled, the process was okay and I waited about an hour n half in total, which wasn’t bad. when I was called for the biometrics part, I was told they would need to contact the abuja office and give me a call back in a week or two to come back to the embassy to give biometrics and have the new passport about a week after that. It has been 8 weeks today. I called the main passport office and spoke to a nice man who always redirects me to extension 211. Thing is ext 211 have never picked up, and I have dialled at least 50 times over the past weeks. my passport has now expired and I need it renewed urgently…Any tips, advice would be welcome……
Dee,
this is highly unusual, in the first instance I wonder why the need to contact Abuja office in the first instance…. perhaps you should go over in person if you are not getting anywhere on the phone. You may be able to get things sorted if you actually go over there and speak to someone and get to the bottom of things.
Good luck
hi Temi
Thanks a lot for your prompt response. As i’m sure you know they wont let anyone in without an appointment. Asked a friend to go as well and they said if they haven’t called then there will be no point coming down. Starting to worry. If anyone else encounters something like this please please let me know.
thanks alot again 🙂
I think if you behave like a typical Naija and talk your way in, you may be able to achieve a lot more than waiting for them… they are not the most efficient or most organised High Commission in UK. Good luck.
haha at typical Naija….thing is i don’t even live in England and would hate to travel all the way without being certain. but I will put on my ‘Naija hat’ and go there and hopefully achieve something as their phone communication mediums are really nothing to write home about…. thank you for this
Its a shame that they don’t seem to understand that some people live quite far away from London, and not even in England in your case…… Good luck
Hi temi. My Nigerian passport expired in 1992, yes 20+ years ago and since then I got married. Can I still renew/change name at the NHC in London? Do I apply for an e passport in my married name? Any advise would be great.
Hi Temi, a slightly different question. I need to get a passport for my baby to travel to naija on the 7/12. Is this a feasible timeline do you think? And can they process a postal application?
Sorry for the delayed response. I am really not an expert on this matter, your best best is to find out from the High Commission directly. I think you may just be able to get the passport for your child in time before you travel if you get the process started ASAP.
Good luck
Ozo,
I think you may have to jump through quite a few hoops go get your passport regularised, I am not sure which one you should do first but if you visit this page http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/passport-requirements , you will find detail info on the best way to move forward.
Good luck
I disagree with the part you said they don’t do same day services/applications, I know someone who went there to get emergency travel certificate, on getting there, a guy told her to give him £50 and he would do passport for her. She have the guy £50 and he made the passport application for her by himself,booked an interview for her the same day and she was told to come and pick up her passport the following week. This just shows that bribery and corruption will never end in nigeria. Why didn’t he tell her to go through the normal procedure just like others.
Hi TEMI, Pls I need your urgent response . I have tried to pay online for passport for my new born baby with my visa card but all proved abortive. The application was successful, I have application ID and reference number but the issue is to pay online. Each time I tried to pay it keeps showing payment cannot be processed now.
I think may be because am using my own visa card for my son, different name compare to what Is on my card. On SW GLOBAL LLC site, only option is for me to register my card, meaning that I have to scan my credit card and driving license or photo passport and send to them. Is there anything wrong in that if I scan the mentioned them and send to them. I am Sunny and I reside in UAE.
Hello Sunny,
Sorry to hear you are having this difficulties. I cannot see anything wrong in you scanning and sending the required documents to SW Global LLC other than the fact that it delays you payment process by a few more days…. the quicker you send the info to them the sooner they can process you ID and aprove your card so that you can use it to pay for the application.
Good luck
Thanks for your quick response. For better understanding, I keep getting this message after every attempt to pay is “Reference code – 1745880×026 : your transaction can not be processed at the moment. Kindly check here to read the instruction carefully”.
Hi there , it took me three days to get it to accept and process my payment so I’ll I advise you to try Again tomorrow as their dodgy system plays up
I can’t remember the error code I kept getting then but I have a suspicion that their system doesn’t work on weekends and Nigerian public holidays but give it a go again tomorrow or Monday during working hours
Hello Tayo, did you experience same problem as mine for the three days before you finally got through?
Thanks
Sunny
Hi sunny , I did initially it wouldn’t load on the check out page and the next day it wouldn’t bring up the page for filling out the card details and eventually it went through on the third day,hopefully you should get through today or tomorrow
Hi Tayo,
I am still facing same challenge The only option am left with is to scan my “credit card statement, international passport and credit card” and send to SWGLOBALL for verification. I was asked to cover the 8 digits out of all the 16 digits before I scan for security reason. What is your take on this?
Hi sunny ,I would advise that you try and fill it again and start the process again and only send your details and stuff as a last resort , which is what I would do as I was tempted to register too initially.Good luck this time
I also had problems with the payment procedure, it just wouldn’t recognise my post code (Zip code), I called them in America and was told to use Firefox and not Internet explorer or Google chrome. So basically only use Firefox Mozilla nothing else. I did that but it didn’t work (Might work for others) so I decided to take out my post code and boom it worked.
Am going for my interview tomorrow so fingers cross, I have never had a Nigerian passport before but going there with my mothers passport copy and my British passport and all my application documentations.
Anyways thanks for this forum/site because it was more informative than the actual Nigerian high commission website and they never pick up their phones.
Thanks for sharing you experience with us Richard, good luck and I hope you are not kept waiting for too long at the interview tomorrow.
Hi!!
I can’t possibly tell you how much trouble and belly-ache you’ve saved me! Thanks a million for your wonderful post, you really are a life saver, God bless you real good!!! 🙂
I am A Nigerian and I already have a residence permit but my Nigerian passport will expire on January 9th. Please when can I renew it? would I have to renew it before the date of expiry or I can renew it after expiry? I live far away from London and considering travelling and other costs, I cant afford to do it in January. If I chose a day in next month or 2 months would this be too bad? Please reply. Thanks
Abi,
The time you renew your passport is not very important, you can renew it before or after expiry. Its just that you are not able to travel till you have a valid passport so if you are not planning to travel, you can renew it when its convenient for you.
Hi Temi
Can I get a name change on my e-passport when it expir
Yinkus,
Yes you can change a name. You will need to provide the necessary documents associated with the change of name to the Nigerian High Commission.
If you go too this page http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/passport-requirements, scroll to the bottom, you will see a link that says: Requirements for Change of name by Marriage
Download the PDF document there, it tells you what the High Commission require from you to process change of name.
Thanks
Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.
I am not changing by marriage, I just want to drop my mother’s maiden name off my e-passport. Can I do that in London
The short answer is, yes, you can do it in London.
Hello please could you let me know how much postal order I have to go to Nigeria House with? I am renewing my passport so I don’t know if its 40 or 20 pounds. Please try as much as possible to reply. Thanks. I think the £40 is for those who need a passport urgently and cant wait for interview date as it said on the website. Please, Could you double check this for me? Thanks
How much postal order do I need to go to Nigeria House with to renew my passport please?
Abidemi,
You need £40 postal order. Here is the requirements, I have just copy and pasted this from the High Commission website:
Passport Renewal and Extension(After 5 years from the date of issue)
(Passport, which has not yet served the normal ten years lifespan): Extention is granted ONLY to applicants that have already applied for e-passport and in possession of the “PAYMENT CONFIRMED” slip, BUT CANNOT WAIT for the interview date because of urgent need of a valid passport.Compulsory requirements are:
Original copy of the old passport of less than 10 years from the date of issue;
Payment confirmed slip (regardless of date of interview);
£40 British Postal Order made payable to the Nigeria High Commission, London
Please Temi, do you have any ideal how i can renew my passport in with new details, which is different from the details i have used before when i first scan back in nigeria, is the old biometriic details going to reflect when i go for new scan in europe, i heard some guys said is only possible back in nigeria,
pls help me
Tictac,
The story I have heard is quite similar to yours. It appears you can old change biometric details in Naija. The High Commission and Embassies in Europe are not equipped for such changes.
Thanks Temi, for being there for us in this forum, please my cousin will be going for renewal he owns the old MRP passport but has expired and want to renew it to the new e.passport here in London, please will they accept colored photocopies of the old MRP passport as he has already sent his student extension application to the home office? And as he does n’t leave in London, he leaves in Wales can someone else collect the passport (on his behalf) for him at the Embassy after scanning??
Thanks for your help so far, God bless you
Tictac,
I think both thing may be possible, the first one given that the home office has it so a copy and the receipt home office gave to acknowledge they have the original may be adequate.
Regarding someone collecting it on his behalf, with appropriate letter of authority, it should be no problem BUT its best to confirm this from the High Commission staff.
Cheers
hello temi, i have the new e-passport and its expiring in February this year after five years, and i have my indefinite stamped on it .. will , i require to have a new stamp from home office or do the high commision give me back the same passport .also can i have the renewal done in one day ..cos i dont want to leave my passport with them.
Hello Mart,
I believe the high commission will give you back the same passport. Its usually just a matter of stamping your existing e-passport so your indefinite stamp from the home office will not be affected.
I think you will get it back the same day.
Cheers
OK. Thank you. I was just thinking about my application. It still has the interview date as 2nd of January when I have already rescheduled it to 31st of March, and I have also printed the confirmation email sent to my email. I hope this will not cause a problem when I go to Nigeria House? Thanks.
Please Reply me. Thanks
Hi Temi. Grateful if you could help. My e-passport is coming to the end of it’s initial 5 years and I need to renew/extend for a further 5 years. I have read conflicting information on how to go about this and how long it will take. Am I required to apply online for a new passport? NHC website is not clear on is and I can’t get to speak to anyone on the phone. Thanks.
Bayo,
Sadly, that is Naija High Commission London for you. What you need is renewal which they tend to do quite easily and I think on the same day.
We have covered this topic on this thread several times. I suggest you first visit here http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/passport-requirements .
Read the item under this topic on the page: Passport Renewal and Extension(After 5 years from the date of issue) and you can set the ball rolling from there.
Thanks
Hello Temi, is it possible to do a change of name as a male at the Nigerian house in the uk with a deed poll. How do I go about booking an appointment. Will I be attended to if I just go there to make enquiries without an appointment.
Lucien,
I am not sure about being able to change your name by deed poll at Naija house, all the change of name info seem to be skewed to wards single women changing their name after getting married…
I strongly suggest you make inquiries on the phone first before going to Nigerian High Commission, most of the time, they will not let you in if you do not have appointment with evidence to show the specific person or service you are there for. Getting to speak with a person on the phone is a VERY VERY PAINFUL experience as they hardly ever answer their phone. But if you persist with the phone calls, someone may answer the phone. That way you can get a definitive answer to your question.
Good luck.
Thanks Temi for your response. I actually went to Nigerian house today before I got your response. I travelled far because I don’t live in London. However, your guess is as good as mine. I was not even allowed in. I was told to go to Abuja. I tried asking one or two officials that I saw outside how I will be able to enter the UK on the newly reissued passport when I travel to Nigeria since my Work permit card will still have my old name. I am sure by then, they would have stamped the old passport void. Also my return ticket will also still have the old name. Do you have an idea of the cost at Abuja. I hear some people say 180000 naira. Also, I heard someone tell me here that someone can help here if I pay about 600 pounds. I feel funny about that. The few officials I spoke to today at the Nigerian house could not even tell me the documents I need to to take to Abuja, all they kept on saying was go and ask them in Abuja or send someone down to help you ask. It was so annoying. I really just need to know what will happen at the point of entry when the name has been changed. Also how long will it take since I cannot leave my job for so long here. I will really appreciate a comprehensive response. Thanks.
Lucien,
Sorry to hear you had a wasted journey to Nigerian house in West End. Frankly I really don’t have any special knowledge about the topic we are discussing, your trip and all the conflicting advices you got in Nigerian house as as official as it gets. Like you I am not comfortable about paying someone £600 to do it through the back route…. I have absolutely no knowledge of how things work in Abuja.
Perhaps you want to ring Abuja directly to find out if you can get a much clearer procedure and time it will take you to get your new passport. Do not go if you don’t have a lot of time to waste, you may need up to 3 weeks and be prepared to SPEND a lot of money.
Good luck
hi im about to renew my passport. does anyone know how long it takes if I need a new passport urgently (ie £40 postal order instead of £20). my passport is just about to exceeed the 5yr limit
hello Its a shame how its done in that place and its not anyway different from being in Nigeria even though the workers are in England, rude, corrupt, vulgar and all sort..
postal order is £20,
print every document you will be sent into you email including the online form you filled,
get to the place before 1pm and be ready to stay all day so make sure youv had a lot of poundo /ground rice..
you might as well leave your phone at home as some rude lady will shout at you for calling to check up on your little girl..(someone was told today to choose one between naija passport and the child imagine)..
and be ready for a lot of laughs and offence as you will be annoyed with the things you see especially if you have been out of niaja for along time..
and if you can bribe you will leave there a bit quicker BUT PLEASE DONT DO THAT AS THE COUNTRY IS MESSED UP ALREADY WITH BRIBING LET WE THE MORE EXPOSED ONES SET A BETTER EXAMPLE.
and you will have to wait for over a week to pick up the passport if it all goes well..
God bless
Hi Temi,
Your site has been very useful! I’ve got a brother aged 20 who intends travelling to Nigeria for the first time but has NEVER held a Nigerian passport, what would be the basis for his application as his passport is neither lost nor a renewal! Also, what document(s) would he need to take to the NHC? I’ve been through the questions but couldn’t find a similar story hence, this post. Thanks.
Hi! I am having a panic attack over all these comments . I need to be certain that renewal of the e-passport exceeding the 5 yr limit would be done in a day with just a stamp. I need my passport urgently in 10 days. Help!. My appointment is on the 22nd . I also live far.
Hello Dan,
You should visit this page http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/fees-processing-online , Look for this like: Requirements for adults without Nigerian Passports 1st Issue DUAL NATIONALITY application
Click on the link there and you will see the requirement for Adults without Nigerian Passport, its the so called 1st issue. Just provide all the stuff required and your brother should have his first Nigerian passport within a few months. Good luck.
Instead of having a panic attack, just get the process started. And it looks like you have done that already, fingers crossed, on the 22nds you will hopefully have your passport extend on the day. You could also ring the High Commission to confirm it will be done for you on the same day.
Good luck
Hi Temi,
Thanks very much for your help. We will get the process started.
I changed my interview date to March cause I couldnt make it in January. Unfortunately, It didnt still change on my application form, but there was an email sent to me that I have not been booked for March. Does this mean anything? I hope that I will get answered to in March as long as I go there with the confirmation email? And do I need to go with any passport photographs? thanks
Bless you Temi,
what is the difference between Nigeria Passport Renewal and Re-Issue? I have a Passport that was issued in 2008 and Expired 2013, on getting to the Embassy for renewal of the Passport I was told that the Passport is no longer valid and can’t be renew but re-issue. That, I should write Letter of Application for Re-Issue of Passport which will be send to Abuja.
Hi Temi, my passport was issued march 24 2009 and expires march 23 2014 anyway the postal order on the pdf file says £20 but on the website it says £40 I will be grateful for a respond
hi im filling out the form online for the passport process and its asking for next of kin address ut it doesnt give the option to change the country for that to Nigeria. what do i do please?
i am really frustrated at this point. i have filled out the necessary forms but i realised my slip has a date on it for the 30th of jan (which i didnt pick) … i keep trying to pick a suitable slot for myself but the website keeps crashing overtime i try to go in through the immigration e passport appointment booking portal. what do i do? can someone help me please
Why must we book an appointment to get our passports renew? Are we still in 19/20th centuries. Please Nigerian government, we your citizens are not happy about the pains we go through just for passport renewal.
@ Amina. I think we are having the same problem. Although, I successfully changed my month and I chose a slot. If you looked properly on your application form, You will see that there is no slot on it. This was the same for me and I went to the appointment booking website (http://nhc.3tb.co/), entered all the details required and was able to change the month and pick a suitable slot. I got a message in my email that I have successfully changed my month, date and picked a slot. All these details will be sent to the email you provided when filling your details to change or book your appointment. What I don’t still understand now is that, No matter how many times I tried to check my application form online (Query application status), it never changed to the new month, date and slot I picked. It was still the same as it was the first time I did it. So, what I did was print off the email sent to me and attach it to all the documents I will be taking to Nigeria House. That at least will serve as a proof of Truth. However, this may not be conclusive. I would advise you to look out for the reply to your thread from the Author. Cheers!!!
Hello Temi,
Thanks for your post, it was very helpful. My concern, after going through the application process and booking an appointment, is that the change of name deed poll is not acceptable. I have just changed to my married name, and swapped my first name with my middle name. For instance Miss Abigael Lauren Branning has been changed to Mrs Lauren Abigael Butcher. I’ve got my appointment next week. Do you think I stand a chance of getting it? Or will I most definitely be turned down. Also can I book an appointment different from the date on the acknowledgement slip?
The fact that Naija High Commission does not seem to have a clearly defined procedure for change of name other than by marriage makes it difficult to answer your question, you may have to wait and see how it goes on the day of you interview.
Yes, you can book appointment for a day other than the day on your acknowledgement slip.
Good luck
have appointment for 1st issue passport, I have all asked document but don’t have old passports because I entered uk illegally never had a passport
I am not sure what they will say to that. You may have to tell them that the dog eat your passport or something like that.
Thanks.
Hi, what if you have change of name and I want a new Nigeria Passport. What do I need to do.
Please have a look at this page http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/passport-requirements , read or download the last PDF document on the page: Requirements for Change of name by Marriage
Thanks
Thanks for the update. What about a male that changed his names.
Naija embassy seem not to be well equipped with male changing their name just yet. Please read some of the past discussion with a guy who wanted to change his name, it does not look like he got far 🙁
Hi Timi, your post has been too helpful, God bless you. I reside in the UK and I intend to make my baby’s first passport….Please since he bear same name as my husband,the only difference Is that our son has a middle name but his dad doesn’t……Please my question is can my husband pay for our son’s passport fee online with his card? To save us the stress of registering our card and waiting for days….Please help! Godbless you
Hello Bibi,
The simple answer to your question is yes, you husband can pay for your baby’s passport easily without any problem because they have the same surname. all the best.
Thanks a lot Temi,I thought as much that it will be possible..I will definitely keep the house informed with my experience as I intend to go the Nigerian house by Gods grace this week.
Hello Temi, thanks for your prompt response. I came to the uk on a student visa, but my Nigerian passport expired on Jan 19, I have finished my course and planning to go back to Nigeria in March, will I be able to travel back to Nigeria without renewing my passport though I still have my student visa on it
Funmi,
I don’t think the authorities will have any problem with you as you have valid visa but the airline usually insist you have a valid passport before you travel. It may be a very good idea to renew your passport in UK before you head back to Nigeria.
Thanks
Hi there Temi, do you know if a replacement e-passport can be issued for a lost e-passport at Nigeria House, even if the applicant’s has no visa or say visa has expired?
Someone told me replacement of lost e-passport can only be done in Abuja, is this correct??…please kindly share any info on this… Remain blessed.
CapTayne,
I don’t think the presence or absence of Visa on a passport is the concern of Nigerian High Commission, that is an issue for the host country.
I think lost e-passport can be replaced at the London High Commission, you just need to provide all the info they as of people who lost their passport, details can be found here: http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/passport-requirements, read details under Replacement Of Lost Passports
Hi Temi, thanks once small….however the epassport online payment for our son using my husbands card went through…Godbless u
Thanks for your feedback. All the best.
Hi Temi, many thanks for replying. Ok that’s one hurdle crossed then. Another thing is about procuring some of their requirements documents; a letter from the home office stating evidence of stay, and police report. I’m thinking these particular two can be tough to obtain for someone without a visa. Could you please give any idea on how to satisfy these requirements?
Ahhh, now I see the problem. I think you should have a chat with them at the Nigerian High Commission as to how to proceed in the absence of those two document. They may suggest an alternative way which is not listed on their website.
Cheers
Thanks again for your reply. These guys will have the perfect opportunity to exploit and extort me of my already scarce funds. Hopefully I’d get to come across some form of divine mercy.
Many thanks for your help on this forum. I’d say it’s one of the best and most useful and comprehensive online posts about this topic. God bless u
I have a Nigerian Passport that will expire in September 2014, however I still have about 7 blank pages left on the passport. Is it possible to renew the passport now or I will have to wait till September when the passport expires? My work requires me to travel around the world, so I need to always apply for visas to some countries, so whenever I apply it’s either they tell me they cannot give me that amount of time requested for in my application because they need to have month in between my visa expiry date and my passport validity. So this is really affecting my job. So my question is can I apply for a renewal now or will have to wait till September 2014?
Bishop,
You do not need to wait till September before you can renew you passport. The number of months left on the lifespan of a passport before it can be renewed is not stated on Naija High Commission’s website but I think you can apply for renewal when you passport has about 6 months or less to expire so you should be able to renew it from next month. You could also give the High Commission a call to confirm this. Please give us some feedback on what they say to you.
Good luck
Okay, thanks man. Do you know how long it takes to get a new passport (renewal) in London? I am actually thinking of flying to naija to get it within two days if it will take forever in London? Any idea of how long it can take in London?
After you have paid online, book appointment etc, it takes a day or so to do the renewals. But please differentiate between renewal (passport of 5 years) and re-issue (passport that is 10 years old).
Renewal takes a few days, re-issue take much longer.
Thanks
It’s renewal. You mean I will have the new passport within a day or so? This is incredible, Nigerian High Commission must have stepped up oh. No need to travel to naija to do it then now …abi?
Hi Temi, finally I was at the Nigerian high commission yesterday in London, to make a new passport for my son and re issue for myself……Hmmmm i left from Edinburgh down to London. It wasn’t an easy trip/experience…..In summary pls be well prepared and well informed when making a passport application just like Temi highlighted earlier in his previous post. Am glad it all went well for me. Many thanks Temi for this blog. Godbless u
Please do not rely 100% on what I said, things at Naija High Commission changes all the time… it may take longer BUT worst case scenario is that it takes weeks and not months like it used to take in the past.
I registered a user’s name/ password before I started filling my on-line application for e-passport. Unfortunately, as I don’t have access to printing facility immediately I completed filling the form hence was unable to print out the page as requested. I wanted to login to NIS with my registered user’s name and password but it’s not accepting it rather I was told to refer to my e-mail to activate my account but when I referred to my e-mail there was nowhere to click for activation . When I wanted to re-register for another application it keeps saying that the name has been registered with then. Please what do I do to be able to access my account.
Hi Mr Okafor, I had similar problems when I was filling out my son’s application form. All i later did was to use my second email address and re-registered and made sure I had a printer ready to print out the form etc….Best of Luck
Hello house, am in dilemma, I did my application and made payment. Got an interview date for next week. But I just realised now dat I can’t find the application form where I saved it on my system. I have only got the receipt and acknowledgement documents. Will I be granted an interview without d application form or how can I get generate my application form back on d website
I am not 100% sure but I think you can log back in to the system where you downloaded the application form and download a copy. I don’t think you will make progress on the interview day without your application form.
@ Temi, many many thanks for this article, the thought of going through the process of renewing my passport gave me anxiety attacks until I came across your very helpful blog. You’re doing a great job, though in a way it’s sad that we have to rely on a blog for guidance on what should be a simple process, instead of relying on the info on the official NHC site…
I have a question re: renewal versus re-issue, if you don’t mind.
You explained the difference in response to Amina’s post but Bim Labi, the lady who shared her experience (at the top of this page) mentioned at the end of her post that when it comes to renewals, new passports are issued instead of one’s passport being stamped…???
I found that confusing ~ I have an e-passport that’s 5 years old so my expectation is that it will be stamped to renew/extend it for another 5 years. I certainly don’t expect to have a new booklet handed to me – seems like a waste doesn’t it, when there are still blank pages in the expired one, as well as another 5 years of ‘shelf life’.
Have you heard anything to support what Ms Bim Labi said? My main headache is, if a new passport is indeed issued when one goes for a renewal, will they let me keep my expired passport, cos that’s where my visa is?! Thanks in advance for your reply.
@ Bishop, re: your question about how early you can apply to renew your passport, when I called and spoke to a lady at the Consular Section of the NHC, she told me that once one has 6 months or less to go, one can apply for a renewal. So for you, I think that would be any time from April. Best of luck to everyone, in our passport adventures!
Zaza,
First of all, thanks for sharing the info about how long to expiry before you can apply to renew a passport. On your main question of renewal / re-issue. On the two occasions that I have had to renew my passport, the passport was stamped and a scribe on it saying its now good for another 5 years BUT they were the so call MRP not e-passport, and it was many years ago. Perhaps its now done the way Bim Labi said i.e. new passports are issued instead of one’s passport being stamped.
I think your main concern is the visa in your expiring passport… even if they issue you a new passport, they give you back your expired passport. What people tend to do in this kind of situation is sticking the two passports together so that at border crossings you can show the valid visa in the expired passport as well as the valid passport.
A more elegant but time consuming and probably expensive solution will be to have the visa transferred to the new passport by the issuing authority.
All the best.
Hi, i just want to give a summary of my experience at the Nigeria High Commission yesterday (March 7,2014). This blog helped me through the process and i think it would help others if they know what to expect when they go.
First of all, closest stations to the NHC are Charing’s Cross and Embankment (both about a 10mins walk from the NHC, google maps has a fairly accurate direction from the stations)
The building has the Nigerian flag outside so its not difficult to miss.
I got to the door and they ask to see your payment confirmed slip first before letting you in. They tell you to switch off your phone (which i find unnecessary, i just put mine on silent) and then you go to the waiting room downstairs where someone hands you a number.
You sit and wait for your number to be called and then you hand the person behind the counter all your documents (form filled online, payment confirmed slip, appointment booking slip, our old passport and the £20 postal order). You’re then asked to sit again to wait for your name to be called to get your biometrics done.
I got there at 10am and didn’t get called to do my biometrics until about half 12. Once you get called for your biometrics, you really don’t have that long to wait.
The biometrics area is on a separate floor and someone behind a computer confirms all your details (name, where you were born, state of origin and local govt, what you do for a living etc). They take your picture and finger prints and they ask you to confirm the details and sign that the data they have collected is ok.
After this, they confirm the date you have to come for collection.
I do not live in London and i had called before hand to let them know i wouldn’t be able to come back to pick up my passport. So, i was asked to come with a paid self addressed special delivery envelope (cost me £6.95). After i had my biometrics done, i was directed to a rather angry lady lol sitting behind the door to hand my special delivery envelope to her. You have to sign a disclaimer form which states that if your passport gets lost in the post, NHC will not be held responsible (quite silly yea but i had no choice).
My collection date is supposed to be the 18th of March so i’m guessing it will be posted to me on that day. All in all, i spent about three hours. I will give an update when i receive my passport hopefully in 11days as they said.
PS: for those who cant go back to collect, you can either use the special delivery system or send someone to collect on your behalf (you have to write an authorization letter stating you sent someone to collect for you and the person has to go with a form of identification)
I hope this helps someone as this post helped me 🙂
Amina,
Thank for this detailed and well written account of you experience at Nigerian High Commission. Many people will find your explanation of how to collect their passport without having to go to the High Commission very useful.
Pop by and let us know when you collect your passport in 11 days time.
Thanks
Hi Temi,
I was wondering if you could help me. I am trying to get a new passport for my baby son only as I already have a Nigerian passport. My acknowledgement slip says that the interview date is 25th March which I did not choose and cannot attend as we will be in Portugal at the time. I have already booked the Biometrics appointment for 13th March but I am now confused about which date I am supposed to attend. Also, is there anyway of getting an earlier date as we are travelling in first week of April. It has been such a huge catastrophe trying to even pay for the application and the visa application will cost almost £200. The information on the website is outdated and they never answer the phones at the embassy so I have not been able to seek advice regarding this. Thank God I found your post. Please help me, I’m getting really frustrated now.
Hi Tosin, as regards your enquiry, please disregard the date on your acknowledgement slip as it’s irrelevant. Book and attend suitable date on the NHC website as you seem to have chosen the 13th of March. Please endeavour to arrive on time between 9am and 1.30pm. With this you can be sure you’d be attended to. The whole process is quite bad and very substandard but you just have to exercise patience. Hope this helps.
Thanks for your reply, Temi. I really appreciate your initiative to make life easier for the likes of me. I just hope that the passport will be ready before we are due to leave on 7th April.
Tosin,
I did not make that useful reply, its another user of this site called CapTayne you have to thank for that reply. I have a strong feeling your passport will be ready in time for April. The NHC tends to get things ready on the dates that give you.
Good luck
I’m so sorry for oversight. I was reading on the go. Thank you very much, CapTayne. Your comment was very helpful. Thanks again, Temi. I’ll let you all know how it goes tomorrow.
You’re welcome Tosin. I’d be coming to the high commission mid day tomorrow as well for collection of my replacement passsport. Great thanks to Temi for initiating and maintaing this very wonderful and unique platform for the benefit of people like you and I. @Temi, I will write shortly about my own experience at the NHC. God bless you.
Looking forward to hear about your experience CapTayne 🙂
Hi guys,
As promised, I’m back to report on my experience at Nigeria High Commission a.k.a Naija House. I’m happy that I followed the good advice that I got from this website. I arrived with my son at exactly 9.30am and I was glad to see a queue of about 5 people.
The guard checked our documents were complete and then let us in. It was a bit of a hassle getting up down the stairs with the buggy but the guard helped. Anyways, I got a ticket (No.35) downstairs and they called my number to process the application at 10:20am. It really helped that I had all the documents that were required and had arranged them in the order of the list posted on their website. We were then told to wait for a call by name which took about 20mins. After this, they sent us upstairs for the Biometrics part. An hour later, it was all done. No stress, no fuss! I left with a happy face because we were out of there by 11:40am and I’m collecting the passport in just over a week’s time. Not bad considering how we used to spend the whole day there before. Also, I did not experience any form of rudeness which is a great improvement in my opinion.
TIP: Don’t forget the postal order and have all the photocopies as they are way too expensive and I saw some people running around trying to get these done today. If you don’t have all the documents, they will send you back to get them and you may have to get a new ticket when you return.
Thanks again CapTayne and Temi. God bless you. I have shared this website on my BBM already.
Tosin,
I am pleased things went smoothly for you at Naija house and thank for posting an update.
Cheers
please can i get info on renewal and how long it takes…..mine expires in august 2014 an d i need to renew now. Also if i am trying to book a slot what application type do i put as there is none for renewal
Sofie,
there are no special slot for renewal or reissue, you just book a slot and they will deal with your query.
Thanks
Thanks Tosin,
please how long does renewal take?
Hi Sofie, I didn’t write the first reply but I know that it takes less than 2wks from submitting your application to collecting your passport whether you are renewing it or get a 1st issue passport.
I did the application for my son’s 1st passport and submitted it on 13th march at Naija house and his passport was ready for collection on 24th March. I did my mum’s renewal application online on that same 13th after we realised how quick the process is and we went to submit it on 20th (there were earlier appointment dates but we chose 20th March) and her passport will be collected on 31st March.
Just apply as if you’re getting a new passport but when you want to book your appointment, choose the renewal option so that you can enter your old passport number. Also, remember to take the expired Nigerian passport and British passport if you have one as well as the £20 postal order, a copy of your application form, the payment confirmation slip and the acknowledgement slip so that your application is not rejected or delayed.
Hello all, just thought I’d share my experience of renewing my passport.
Like Sofie, my passport was due to expire in Aug 2014 (I say ‘was’ because that passport has now been invalidated) so I decided to renew it in March because I’d been told by a lady at the NHC that once your passport is within 6 months of expiring, you can apply to renew it.
My experience was similar to Amina’s and Tosin’s; here are the key points:
– Booking online was easy – i.e. entering all my details – until I got to the point of payment; the site just wouldn’t work. I had to call the company in Nigeria that processes payments on behalf of the Immigration Service (SW Global LLC) and the lady I spoke to advised me to use Firefox as my web browser. I usually use Google Chrome and after installing Firefox I was able to pay easily. So if you’re having problems with the site’s functionality, it might be because of your web browser so try Firefox.
When booking online you choose ‘e-passport reissue’, I guess because you really are issued a new passport with a completely different number.
– I arrived at the NHC at 10:30 am and was directed downstairs where a guy at the door hands you a number. I was no. 45. The downstairs / basement waiting room was full but surprisingly, it wasn’t noisy and chaotic like I had anticipated, except for a couple of hyperactive children. I think that the ‘no mobile phones’ policy is fantastic because it spared us the horror of having to listen to other people’s phone conversations at full volume. Within an hour I was on phase 2, which means going upstairs to another waiting room to wait to do the biometrics. It helped that they use an automated teller system and that the staff behind the counter were very quick.
– The wait for biometrics took another 30 minutes, while the biometrics itself took about 5 minutes and I was handed a slip and asked to return in 10 days for a new passport booklet, and to bring my old passport along. I asked why the old passport wasn’t just extended via a stamp (why get a new booklet??) and was told it’s because they want to capture our biometrics in London. I’m not sure the explanation made sense but I had to accept it.
– 10 days later I returned. This time you’re asked to go directly upstairs. The wait took nearly an hour because the place was full again, but the time went by quickly, what with all the characters / hairstyles etc providing entertainment. Your name is called, you’re handed your new passport, asked to sign a ledger and then your old passport booklet is perforated to invalidate it. They even thoughtfully provide rubber bands to attach your old passport to the new one, since e-passports aren’t meant to be stapled. I think those rubber bands are about the only thing I’ve received for free from my government, in all my years of being Nigerian, and I shall cherish them lol.
– The staff were all polite, I didn’t experience or witness any rudeness. They were helpful when I didn’t know which way to go, and remarkably patient with me and my endless questions, in person and on the three occasions I phoned the consular section so well done, NHC, for that, and thank you.
– The only downsides I saw are minor things that can easily be fixed if some money is spent e.g:
* the toilets – the one I used upstairs was unisex (it said ladies and gents on the door) – that really shouldn’t be the case;
* the ventilation, which another poster on this blog mentioned;
* and the interior – the counters, layout of the place, etc could be upgraded to represent us better as a nation. The current look and feel is dated and shabby. It would be nice if we paid some attention to aesthetics.
Other than that, I have no complaints about the process, waiting time or staff.
Zaza,
your update is very full and detailed, it also covered some grounds not mentioned in previous post, thank you very much for taking the time to write it.
All the best.
Hello Temi
I am trying to have my Passport renewed and aware of the $65 but the Postal Order, is it £40 or £20.
Hi Theodora, the postal order is £20 not £40.
Hi temi, thanks for your advice in jan about getting new passport in uk 1st issue. cos I was here illegally,they bought the story of my dog ate my old passport and it took me 2mths but have got my P now. cheers
Hey moses,
I am very pleased to hear that. I am even more pleased to hear that the tried and tested “dog eat my homework” or passport in your case still works. Good luck and thanks for coming back to update us.
Hi, I lost my passport and my mum is my guarantor and she’s in Nigeria and I’m in the Uk how does she sign the forms and all that?
Hi, what type of passport did you lose? You’d not need a guarantor if you had lost an epassport and if you have a copy of it. I just had mine reissued without filling a guarantor’s form. Even the interviewer will tell you this.
Hi Temi,
Thank for your post. Just need a little bit more help. my passport was issued 2007 and expired 2012, so ill like to know what category I fall under in term of the 5 year or 10 years renewal. Also on the on line application its asking for next of kin followed by their address and the default location is Nigeria. My next of kin are my parent who are both based here so I don’t understand what it is I can do with that especially being that its a compulsory section and I cannot ignore because it wouldn’t let me continue with the application. Sorry for the long message and hope to ear from you soon. Thanks
Hello Jenny,
1. Answer to your first question is Renewal. (you passport is only 5 years old).
2. Second question is ask your parents for their last Nigerian address and use that as the address of your next of kin. They don’t normally check this, they just take your word for it.
We are happy to help other naijas so no need to apologies 🙂
hi temi , my name is Michael, pls i will like you to help with nigerian house address in manchester. Thank you.
Hello Michael,
I have no idea what the address it, I don’t think it exist any more actually but I could be wrong.
HI
I have a friend who needs to renew his passport that expired in 1998. He doesn’t have any documents other than his expired passport. He lives in the UK and has indefinate leave to remain which is stamped in his expired passport. Do you know what he will need for the renewal?
Thanks
Natalie,
what you friend needs to renew his passport is documented in this blog and on Nigerian High Commission website. He can also watch this video: http://youtu.be/4M05IroLLgo
Once he acquires his new passport, he can get the home office to transfer his indefinite stay to the new passport or just attach the old and the new passport together.
Thanks very much!
Hi temi,
I just would like to know I need to renew my passport but the date given to my brother and I is like 4 days between each other, what am not sure is if they verify those dates of appointment on there computers as I intend to go with my brother and just use the same confirmation slip to enter and go have my passport renewed we both travelling by the end of the month and we need to still apply for the visa of the country, so do you think those appointment dates generated can be verified on there system when I get there that day as I can’t travel to London twice with my brother from manchester it’s like 5 hours it’s a killer trip.
Thanks
Ola,
Its rather not very nice that people who live in Manchester have to travel to London for consular services, well, that is where were are. You may be able to wing your way into the High Commission with the incorrect appointment day but there will be no guarantee that you will be seen on that day.
hi pls do i need to go through the finger printing again to renew my epassport
With passport renewal, you don’t. With re-issue I think you do.
Cheers
I have come back to say thank you to you. You saved me headache and stress with this post! Although late, I have come to say thank you for been a great help. God bless you real good. Now I help friends on how to get theirs done because I was able to do coz of your help.
Thanks once again! I am grateful!
Omoby, I am pleased we have been of help in our little way. Thanks for taking the time to leave this feedback.
please. my passport expired last year october. I m in babardos currently as a student. please how can I renew the passport… I have tried all my best…
Bukola,
Isn’t there a Nigerian High Commission in the Caribbean ? how have you been trying to renew it?
Hi my son entered u.k and lost his passport . Please what can he do to get some docs from nigerian embassy Manchester and come . Please contact me on ifeanyi71@yahoo.com. Thanks it’s urgent
You or you sun need to read the requirements for replacing lost passport on the Nigerian High Commission’s website and book appointment to get a new passport issued to him.
Hello Temi, Please i am currently in Canada and i am experiencing some issues with the online payment part after the application for a new e-passport. After my application, i tried to pay with my dollar visa card from GTBank issued in Nigeria but i keep getting a message from the portal saying ‘your card is not authorized. please try with another card’. Please what does that mean? I’m very confused. Does the Nigerian high commission not accept Nigerian credit cards? Kindly help with this issue. Thanks
tmish,
I don’t think Nigerian bank issued cards are widely accepted abroad. You may want to look for an alternative way of paying.
Okay, thanks Temi
please how can I download LOSS OF PASSPORT APPLICATION FORM?
Hi Temi,
Thank you for this post! It was extremely helpful, and I’ve actually just spent the past half hour reading through the comments in case you’ve already answered my question. I have an Indefinite Leave to Remain card (so it’s not attached to the passport itself…just a card, not much different from a driving license.). Do I need to submit this with my application? Or can I leave it at home (for peace of mind, lol).
K,
I think you should leave your indefinite leave to remain card at home. (its news to me that its now a card, they used to stamp it on your passport, the card makes more sense than the old way when it used to be a stamp on passport).
Nigerian High Commission strictly have no reason to want to see it, it just your Nigerian passport they want to see.
However, you could make a photocopy of your indefinite stay and have it on you to show them if required.
All the best.
Hi Temi,
I stumbled on your website when my husband wanted to renew his e-passport and i must say it was very useful. Thanks for your help. I am about to renew mine now as well as change my name.I have gone through all the requirements and am very clear on them.I just want to ask your opinion on this
Do i fill in my married name( name i want to change to) or my maiden name on the online application form( name on my expired e-passport. Thanks while i await your response.
Oluphunmie,
thanks for your generous compliment. I think you should fill your current name (maiden name), as far as Naija High Commission is concerned, that is still your official name.
Good luck
Oluphunmie,
I am not 100% sure about my suggestion BTW, so if you can confirm it from the high commission it will give you added peace of mind… sometime the way things works there is not always logical.
Cheers
Hi again Temi,
Thanks for prompt response. It’s highly appreciated. I have tried to call their landline a couple of times but it doesn’t get picked up. Il call the other 0844 number then and hopefully I get a response . Il reply here when I do. Thanks again and you are doing a good job
Thanks for the selfless efforts here. I will attempt to be succinct with my experience at the Nigerian High Commission, London: I went with my eldest son to renew our expired e-passports about a month and two weeks ago; the process went smooth (however, my boy’s picture and fingerprint was done twice – an explanation was offered that it did not register on the system on the first attempt). On the day of collection, my re-issued (new) passport was handed over to me, my boys passport was not done. They explained that it was a matter with his fingerprint, and that Abuja would have to give the all clear. I was asked to leave my contact details and that they would calll me, this was four weeks ago. That call never came through. All efforts to contact the NHC on phone was unsuccessful. I was prompted to go there today. Again, they told me to wait for Abuja to clear his application. I asked for a timeline, they absolutely would not give any. The worry is, we have booked a family holiday to Nigeria for the middle of July. Please, give me clues as to how to resolve this matter. Many thanks.
Akin,
Sorry to hear the problem you are having with the High Commission, its typical Naija High Commission explanation. If your boys are still the age where they can be endorsed on your own passport, perhaps you want to try that, alternatively, if they have a British Passport, they could travel on that.
You could also get an emergency travel document for them or just hassle the High Commission till they find a solution (most of the time this method wastes your time and no guarantee of success).
You could also attempt to phone Abuja and find out what the cause of the delay it.
Cheers
Thank you for the prompt reply. I would try these suggestions. At the risk of making you a sounding board, I really find the dismissive behaviour of the embassy staffs unsettling. Admittedly, I can see the serious efforts that had been invested into setting up the current system to provide seemless and quick service; unfortunately the highfaluting/indifferent dispositions of our fellow Nigerians manning the section throws manure over everything. Shame really. Again, thanks for the concern. Stay Blessed.
Akin,
I completely agree and sympathise with your plight. I have a feeling that like me, you have lived in the UK/Europe for a long time and your are not used to the very poor quality of service provided by NHC, they seem to think they are doing you a favour and you dare not complain regardless of how crap their services are.
Their attitude is a BIG BIG shame; its just a reflection of how crap our country itself is at this moment in time, I hope sooner rather than later things will improve.
All the best
Thanks. I will keep you posted on developments on the subject. Stay Blessed.
You guys are doing a great job and I found all the comments left very helpful. Just about to start the process myself and ill be sharing my experiences with you at a later date. I also think Temi deserves a big thank you for putting this together.
Hello Tosin,
I just wanted to find out if you had any problems with booking an earlier slot for your biometric. I am in a similar situation, my computer generated interview date is 10th July but I had already booked an appointment on 7th July BEFORE i realised that a date was automatically generated. I read somewhere that you can change your appointment online but you wont be allowed in if the changed appointment is earlier than the computer generated one.
I noticed that you booked for 13th march even though your original date was 25th March. Did any of the staff give you hassle when you attended on 13th?
Thank you
Ify.
Hi Ify, I went on the earlier date that I had booked myself for the Biometrics instead of the computer generated one on the acknowledgement slip. Just ignore the computer generated dates on the acknowledgement slips. No one gave me any hassle as I printed the Biometrics date confirmation which comes up after you’ve chosen your date and slot no for the Biometrics. Hope all goes well for you on the 7th July. Kind regards, Tosin
Dear Temi, I am quite excited today; my boy’s passport was issued few moments ago; just left the NHC. I did as you suggested: I hassled them until they relented. Phew…! Those fellows did a number on my mind my brother. Anyhow, I am really delighted. And many thanks to you. Ultimately I Bless God. Have a wonderful week. Remain Blessed.
Hi Mr Oges,
I am pleased you got result out of them. Enjoy your trip to Naija, I hope your boy loves his second country 🙂
Trying to renew passport. and am having difficulties kindly assist.
Hi Temi, i lost my passport and according to the NHC requirements for a replacement of loss passport i need to sworn an oaths before the Commissioner for Oaths at the embassy. my question is do i need to that after my online application and appointment date fixed or i need to go to NHC and get the oaths done before i fill my form online. its stated on the website that do not make any online payment yet until after a successful interview so i really do not understand what they mean by that. Pls help Temi.
Hello James,
I would perhaps do the Oaths first before doing the other other required steps, that way you can be sure there would be no unwanted surprises.
Cheers
Dear James, I have been through the same process of replacing my lost passport at the NHC 2.5 months ago and what is required is that you just print out, fill and sign the oath form for submission on your interview date. That’s it… No special oath taking ceremony or arrangement…
Having a copy of your lost passport and a police report helps too..
Do the $65 online payments and other things first except the £100 postal order which you’d be directed to pay after your interview. Choose a nearest date for your interview and go for it bro…
Best of luck
Thanks guys for your information. i have just booked for the appointment. i will let you know the outcome.
Cheers
Thanks for dropping bye James 🙂
Hi guys, i have just log in to book for interview date and its already choose a date for me next week friday, pls help. i dont understand again!!
James,
what is it you do not understand?
i mean the automatic allotted date? I read some post on here that one need to ignore it and still book another one. anyway i have booked it
I think what I remember is that you should book it but at NHC, they don’t follow it in strict order but they still want you to book it which you have done so you are looking good.
It’s by the grace of God that they pick their phone
Hello, thank you for putting up this blog. It’s been really helpful.
On both the acknowledgment and payment sip (which look more or less the same to me by the way), I have found an interview date when I hadn’t even selected one for myself. Is this the norm? I have selected a day and slot as is per the usual protocol,the date i have chosen is earlier than the one on the slips.but I’m worried that if they see this ‘other’ booking on my slip they might turn me away to come back on the date given on my slips which i didn’t book. Pls advice.
Also is it definite that the Manchester branch has closed down? I have been on the phone trying to call the London consulate to ask but they never pick up after nearly half an hour!!
Ochy Blue,
I think the Manchester Consulate does not exist any more.
Guys, my appointment is tomorrow and i just found out monday 28 has been declared public in nigeria which means the London office will be closed. i login to the commission to reschedule and it automaticly assigned me a new dates but i cant allocate a slot for myself. as anybody have any info regarding this or perhaps someone has experience of this before. Pls help.
Hi, temi, pls I need some clarification. I am trying to renew my e passport but on the NIS and sw global llc sites, there’s no option for renewal, the processing fee on NIS websites for re-issue is 65$ + 20£ postal order (about 98.65$ or 58.64£) and renewal is 25£ + 15 £ postal order( 40£) but after filling the application form on sw global website, I was asked to pay a total of 112$ (66.57£), does this include the 20£ postal order?
Hi, temi, pls I need some clarification. I am trying to renew my e passport but on the NIS and sw global llc sites, there’s no option for renewal, the processing fee on NIS websites for re-issue is 65$ + 20£ postal order (about 98.65$ or 58.64£) and renewal is 25£ + 15 £ postal order( 40£) but after filling the application form on sw global website, I was asked to pay a total of 112$ (66.57£), does this include the 20£ postal order?
Hi Temi, Great post you’ve got here…Very helpful…
I have just tried to book an appointment for a passport renewal as my current passport expires in February 2015. I was redirected to the Nigerian Immigration page and paid a sum of $112..this is confusing as everyone else on here seems to have paid $65…I did not see $65 anywhere on the site. After payment I got an automatic interview date sometime in August. I am required to bring my passport, £20 postal order, payment confirmation slip and the online form I filled.
Do I still need to go to the E-Passport appointment booking page ( http://nhc.3tb.co/index.php ) and book an appointment seeing as I already have one on the payment form? I have tried to access the appointment booking page but its not working!! Will try again tomorrow. The whole system is confusing I must confess.
Does anyone know how long it will take to get this processed? Also can I submit a prepaid envelope for the high commission to post my passport back to me in as I live too far away to come down twice.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
I wonder if things has been changed… the payment was never $112 and as far as I know, the £20 is separate to the money you pay at in dollars.
Update: The booking link is working now so I’ve been able to book an appointment for the 14th of August. My question now is my acknowledgment and payment slip have my appointment date of 13th August. Is that the date I should go down to London? Or I should go down on the 14th which the E-passport appointment booking system gave me? Many thanks
I am not sure about this but I would think going on the 14th is better to avoid a wasted journey if you go on the 13th
To fulfil my promise of replying here when I do get my change of name due to marriage passport re-issue sorted, here it goes
Before filling the online application form, I had to register my card on the SW Global website (the company that handles the online payment for the $65)since it’s in my maiden name and the online app form should be filled in my married name. I had to do this because, it says on their website that name on the app form should match that of the card to be used to pay. So after registering and waiting a few hours, I got a mail to go ahead with filling my online application.
On my interview date, It’s the same process as already outlined by several people in the forum. I got there around 9:40am and I was number 26. I went in and was out by 11:16am. That’s less than 2hrs. I was there exactly a week after to collect my new passport and that took exactly 36mins so I would say it was a good experience for me and kudos to the officials at the High commission
Thanks to Temi for initiating this forum and lastly, sorry for my epistle:) . Hope it helps anyone in need of the info.
Hi Temi, I called customer services at the high commission and I explained to the gentleman I spoke to. He said I can come on any of the days I prefer…that they are both valid appointments. I must confess that I am skeptical about that info though. Why does the process have to be so confusing? Naija! I will call and ask again just to be sure.
hi temi, please how real is the nigeria house in manchester, what is their contact number as the one i saw online (01612561059) is not going through.
Kemmy,
I don’t think the Nigerian house in Manchester exist any more.
Hi Temi, I booked an appointment with the Nigerian high commission on the 18th and my interview date is on the 19th. Do I go for the one on the 18th of 19th? I am confused.
Hi temI,just came across ur blog searching for answers.I have got an appointment Friday 8th of August to renew my e_passport.my question is I don’t know how to print my application form.because I used my phone for the application.all I ve got is the payment slip and acknowledgement .please I need ur reply ASAP.thks.
CICI.
CICI,
You will have to get on a computer and print out what you need to print out. Nigerian High Commission do have a business centre where you can print things out but getting the printing done before you attend the high commission is the best.
Good luck
Hey , i got to the Manchester nigerian embassy and apparently it is never open , im in Manchester at the moment because i booked my appointment for today. Any chance i can get a number to call anyone for assistance ?
Afam,
You are right about the Manchester High Commission never opening, you can call the high commission London BUT they never answer their phone but you can try anyway, the numbers are: 020 7556 8131; 020 7556 8160; 020 7839 1244 Ext. 231 and Ext. 260
You should be pleasantly surprised if you get a sensible response.
They answered, and told me to book another appointment
Fantastic,
Please to know they now answer their phone. Good luck
Hi, i’ve filled out the application and i’m having a problem with the payment..it’s $112 and i tried paying with me visa card, but the website says my transaction cannot be proccessed at the moment and doesn’t give any reason. what can i do?
PLEASE I NEED HELP.TRYING TO RENEW MY PASSPORT BUT USING A FRIEND’S CARD TO PAY.ATTEMPTING CARD REGISTRATION ON SW GLOBAL BUT KEPT BRINGING “ERROR 413 REQUEST ENTITY TOO LARGE” I NEED HELP ASAP AS D FILES I ATTACHED ARE ABOUT 90KB COMBINED WHICH IS LOWER THAN WHAT’S ALLOWED ANYWAY.
Hello Temi. Many thanks for all the assistance you offer on this page. I’ll please appreciate a bit of help on renewing my passport. I have successfully completed payment and received the confirmation slip. It is stated on this slip that the “interview” date is 22/08/14.
Please is this the same date I should book my appointment at the High commission in London? or do I have to book a date and pick a slot on a date before or after this?
Many thanks in advance
Hi Temi, I believe the automated interview date is genuine, I called up the customer service and they answered after an hour plus lol; the gentleman said is ok so no need to book for another . Great job Temi. Bless you!
Please my e-passport expired in October 2016. Please will I need a new booklet after 5 years or just a renewal (without issuing a new booklet) of the old passport.
Hi temi.
I read with interests your comment dated February 13, 2014 at 11:51 AM that when you pay online for Nigerian e-passport renewal and book appointment that it takes a day or so to do the renewals. My dear brother, ‘na lie’. I have paid and got appointment now since October 2017 just to renewal not re issue. I was still roaming Nigeria LOW commission for the passport. The funniest thing was that I paid for congestion charges each time I travelled there because I do not live in London.
It’s a big shame anyway
Thanks