Renewing Your Nigerian Passport from the United Kingdom (2026 Guide)
A calm, step-by-step walkthrough for Nigerians in the UK — how the online application on the NIS portal connects to your biometric appointment at the High Commission in London, and how the booklet gets back to you.
Who this applies to
This guide is for Nigerian citizens living in the United Kingdom whose passport has expired, is close to expiring, or has run out of pages. If that is you, the route runs through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) online portal first and the Nigeria High Commission in London second.
A quick distinction worth getting right before you start. A renewal or re-issue covers a passport that has expired, is within six months of expiry, or is full. A replacement is for a passport that is lost, stolen, or badly damaged — that path needs a UK police report and extra steps, so see our replacement guidance instead. Everything below assumes a renewal or re-issue.
Documents you will need
The mission publishes its own checklist, and it can change, so treat the list below as a planning aid and confirm the current version on the official site before you travel to London.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Current or expired Nigerian passport | Bring the booklet you are replacing, plus a clear photocopy of the data page. |
| National Identification Number (NIN) | Your NIN slip or number. The details on it should match the name and date of birth in your passport. |
| Passport photograph | A recent photo with a plain white background, taken to the standard specification. |
| Proof of UK residence or status | Some applicants are asked to show a UK address or immigration status. Have it ready in case it is requested. |
| NIS payment receipt and appointment slip | Printed from the portal after you pay and book. The mission will not provide internet access on the day. |
| Prepaid return envelope | A Royal Mail special-delivery envelope so the mission can post the finished booklet back to you. |
Step-by-step: renewing from the UK
- 1Confirm your NIN matches your passportBefore anything else, check that your name, spelling and date of birth on your NIN agree with your old passport. Mismatches are the single most common cause of delay.
- 2Start the online applicationGo to the official NIS passport portal, choose the re-issue/renewal option, select your country as the United Kingdom, and complete the form with your details.
- 3Pay through the portalPay the diaspora fee on the portal itself. Save and print the payment receipt and acknowledgement slip — you must bring them to the mission.
- 4Book your biometric appointmentSelect an available date for biometric capture at the Nigeria High Commission in London. Book early; popular slots go quickly.
- 5Attend the High Commission in LondonGo in person on your appointment date with your documents and prepaid return envelope. Staff capture your photo, fingerprints and signature.
- 6Wait for production and returnYour booklet is produced and then mailed back in your prepaid envelope (or collected in person, depending on the mission's current arrangement).
Where to do it in the UK
Nigeria's main mission in the UK is the Nigeria High Commission in London, at Nigeria House, 9 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BX. Its Consular & Immigration Section handles passport biometrics and submission.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Nigeria High Commission, London | Nigeria House, 9 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BX. The Consular & Immigration Section handles passport submission and biometrics. Check current opening hours and document-submission cut-off times on the mission website before travelling. |
| Outreach / mobile capture | From time to time the mission runs biometric outreach sessions in other UK cities to reduce travel for applicants outside London. These are announced on the official mission channels — confirm dates and locations there rather than relying on third-party posts. |
If you live far from London, watch the mission's official announcements for outreach sessions before assuming you must travel down. Treat any other "Nigerian passport centre" advertising paid help with suspicion.
Fees and timing — honest expectations
Two things are true at once: the passport fee is real and published, and it changes. Diaspora passport fees are charged in the NIS portal during your application, and the London mission separately asks for a small administrative fee (paid by UK postal order) plus your prepaid return envelope. Because these amounts are reviewed periodically, this guide deliberately does not quote a fixed figure — confirm the current fee on the official portal and mission site before you pay.
On timing, plan for several weeks from your biometric capture, and sometimes longer when booklet supply or mission workload is tight. There is no advantage in leaving it late, so begin while your old passport still has months of validity.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Arriving at the mission without paying online first. The High Commission does not provide internet access for applicants — complete and pay for the application before your appointment.
- NIN and passport details that do not match. A different spelling or date of birth will stall the application. Fix the mismatch before you book.
- Forgetting the prepaid return envelope. Without it, the mission cannot post your booklet back and you will face extra trips or delays.
- Leaving renewal until weeks before a trip. Production and return take time; start while you still have valid months on the old passport.
- Paying a 'fixer' or an unofficial website. Pay only on the official NIS portal and the official mission channels. No legitimate service needs your bank or card details by message.
Banking from the UK while you are at it
Many UK-based Nigerians renewing a passport also want a working Nigerian bank account for family support and remittances. Our UK guide walks the remote, travel-free route.
Frequently asked questions
Do I renew my Nigerian passport at the embassy or online?
Both. You start online on the Nigeria Immigration Service portal — choose the re-issue/renewal option, complete the form, pay, and book an appointment. You then attend the Nigeria High Commission in London in person for biometric capture (photo, fingerprints, signature). The mission cannot complete the application without the online step first.
Can I renew a Nigerian passport in the UK before it expires?
Yes. You can begin while your current passport is still valid, and the Nigeria Immigration Service generally advises starting when about six months of validity remain. Renewing early avoids being caught without a valid travel document while the new booklet is produced.
Do I need a NIN to renew my passport from the UK?
Your application references your National Identification Number, and the details on your NIN should match your passport. If you do not yet have a NIN, sort that out first. Confirm the current requirement on the official NIS portal before booking, as requirements can change.
How do I get my new passport back — do I post it or collect it?
The London High Commission asks applicants to bring a prepaid Royal Mail special-delivery envelope so the new booklet can be mailed back to you. Some applicants collect in person. Check the mission's current instructions, as return arrangements are set by the mission, not by NigeriaHowTo.
My passport is lost or badly damaged, not just expired. Is it the same process?
No. A lost, stolen or seriously damaged passport is a replacement, not a straightforward renewal, and usually needs a UK police report and extra paperwork. Read our replacement guidance and the mission's instructions before booking.
Does NigeriaHowTo process passport applications?
No. We are an independent guide and have no government affiliation. Every application must be completed on the official NIS portal and at the Nigeria High Commission. We will never ask you for your NIN, passport number or payment details.
Sources
Independent guide, not affiliated with any government agency. The facts, fees and steps above are checked against the primary sources below — government, regulator and agency material first, reputable press second.