4 Countries Set to Begin Contactless Nigerian Passport Application

Nigerians living in the United States, Mexico, Jamaica, and Brazil will soon enjoy a more convenient passport renewal process, as the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) rolls out the second phase of its contactless biometric passport application system in these countries.

According to an official announcement by NIS spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi, the digital upgrade will launch in the U.S. on April 11, with Jamaica set to follow on April 14. Mexico and Brazil are also scheduled to begin using the system around the same time.

This marks another step in the NIS’ push to modernize passport services for Nigerians abroad. The contactless passport system first made its debut in Canada in late 2024, followed by a February 2025 expansion across Europe, the UK, and Ireland.

At the heart of this innovation is the NIS Mobile app, currently available on the Google Play Store, which allows Nigerians to apply for passport renewals from anywhere, no biometric capture at passport offices required. An iOS version is expected soon, with enhancements aimed at making the app even more user-friendly.

With this latest rollout, the NIS has extended its digital passport platform to Nigerians in North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and parts of Asia. However, the service is not yet available in Australia or Nigeria itself. Akinlabi noted that launch dates for these regions will be announced in the near future.

Reaffirming the agency’s mission, Akinlabi said the NIS remains committed to streamlining access to essential services for Nigerians, wherever they are in the world.

As the contactless application system gains momentum, it’s clear that NIS is steering toward a more efficient, tech-driven approach to passport processing, one that could redefine how Nigerians abroad stay connected to home.