Q: Why am I able to only secure passport appointment of 6 or more months into the future?

Ans: The recent long waiting time for an in-person appointment is a result of constraints occasioned by the need to adhere COVID-19 safety protocols as well as present passport production capacity. The situation is expected to improve with return to pre-COVID conditions and completion of planned installation of additional production capacity.

Q: When should applicants commence passport renewal process?

Ans: By standard international practice, passports are not valid for international travel six (6) months to their expiration dates. We strongly advise applicants to commence the process for renewal of their passport at least six (6) months before expiration of the document. This will allow adequate time for scheduling of appointment, biometric capture, production and delivery of the passport.

Q: What do I do, if I have an urgent need to travel earlier than the advised period for processing passports?

Ans. A holder of expired Nigerian passport may explore the option of obtaining an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) valid for only one-way journey to Nigeria. Nigeria-American dual citizens with an expired Nigerian passport may also obtain an ETC for the outbound journey to Nigeria and use their American passport for the return journey to the US. Ability to travel to Nigeria with expired Nigerian passport is often impaired by airlines’ obligations under international regulations regarding boarding only passengers with valid travel documents. However, some airlines may board Nigerians with expired passport for journeys from any US airport directly to Nigeria (no transit).

1. What do I do, if I do not want to travel with an expired Nigerian Passport?

Ans: Apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) by mailing the requirements (available at www.nigeriahouse.com) along with a formal letter of application for ETC and a return Express Mail envelop. ETCs are valid for only three (3) weeks and are issued within 24 hours of receipt of the application.

Q: Can I reschedule my biometrics capture appointment date?

Ans: Yes. On www.nigeriahouse.com click on “Consular Services”, then Reschedule passport Interview appointment”.

Q: After making my payment, the “passport payment slip” indicates that interview date is not available, contact Embassy or Mission

Ans: Thie statement is incorrect and will be corrected. The notice should read, visit www.nigeriahouse.com  OR connect to http://www.nigeriahouse.com/interviewappointment.aspx

Q: How much does it cost to apply for a passport?

Ans: THE SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR THE NIGERIAN E-PASSPORT ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Note: The above fees are payable online or by money order mailed to the address provided online. Also, effective January 15, 2021, an Administrative Charge of US$30.00 is payable (by Bank Card or Money Order) for passport processing on the day of biometric capture.

1. Why do I make my passport processing fee online to Innovate, and an administrative fee at the Consulate?

Ans: Innovate is a private vendor engaged by the Federal Government of Nigeria to accept online payment on its behalf. The administrative fee of $30 is what is charged by the Nigeria Consulate to cover its cost of processing your passport.

Q: If I mail my Passport processing Money Order payment to the address online, when will I be given an appointment.

Ans: Appointment date will be assigned as soon as the Money Order is received by the vendor. The Consulate has no control over the processing time for Money Orders paid to Innovate. The use of Bank Cards is therefore, strongly recommended.

1. Why do applicants often have difficulty using Bank Cards for online third-party passport application payments? Third party is where the application is in another name other than that on the Bank Card.

Ans: The payment platform often limits the number of online third-party payments that can be accepted from one Bank Card within a month. If such difficulty arises, applicants may utilise the option of paying with Money Order.

Q: After my biometrics is captured, will I be given a passport pickup date?

Ans: Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, in-person passport pickup is presently not allowed. All applicants are required to submit USPS Priority Mail return envelops along with their applications. Please note the Enrollment ID on the slip issued after the biometric capture. Quote this ID number in all correspondence with the Consulate General regarding your passport application. Typically, passports are produced and mailed to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks after biometric capture.

Note: We strongly encourage you to take your prepaid USPS priority mail return envelope to the biometrics capture. This will enable you to keep your receipt for tracking purpose.  FedEx and UPS prepaid envelopes are not acceptable.

Q: What documents must I print and take to the Consulate on my processing date?

Ans: In addition to your old Passport, print copies of the following:

1. Passport Payment Slip
2. Passport Acknowledgement Slip
3. Biometrics page of you old Passport

Note: 1 and 2 above, are similar, but different.

Q: Can I pay a 3^rd party or employee of the Consulate to speed processing

Ans: The Consulate has not engaged any third party or consultants for the processing of passports. All applicants are advised to desist from patronizing middlemen who promise to facilitate expedited passport processing at the Consulate.

Quick reference for VISA application process

Q: Can an applicant apply for a VISA at the Consulate.

Ans: NO!  Under Consular Services, select Visa application process for information on how and where to apply for a Visa.  http://www.nigeriahouse.com/VisaApplication.aspx

The jurisdictions of the various Centers are indicated as follows: Washington DC, Atlanta or Los Angeles (O.I.S offices) while New York or Texas (Thebez Global Resources). https://thebezglobalresourcesltd.com/Nigeria/USA/

Note: Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the Consulate General in New York is temporarily unable to process non-essential (including Tourist) visas to Nigeria.

Quick reference for National Identification Number

The National Identification Number (NIN) is now a requirement for obtaining some services in Nigeria, including Passport, Drivers’ License and mobile Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has appointed Consultants for enrollment of Nigerians in the diaspora for the National Identification Number (NIN). In the US, the Consultant is:

Connie Justice (CEO)

Planson International

363 Penny Road

ME 04260

Tel: +1-207-576-9460

Email: support@dannongroup.com.ng

The Consulate General encourages Nigerians and the general public to always refer to the Consulate’s website www.nigeriahouse.com for updated information about its services. Enquiries, observations and complaints are to be forwarded to: switchboard@nigeriahouse.com and cgnny@nigeriahouse.com

Should you have any question or suggestion on how to work with the Consulate to better serve our community, please email them to info@oanweb.org