The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has extended its contactless biometric passport renewal system to four additional countries—namely the United States, Brazil, Jamaica, and Mexico—as part of an ongoing global rollout aimed at easing access for Nigerians abroad.
According to a statement released on Sunday via the NIS official X (formerly Twitter) account, the system went live in the U.S. on 11 April, and in Jamaica on 14 April. Mexico and Brazil are also expected to activate the system by the same date.
Spokesperson for the NIS, Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, confirmed that the newly introduced process will allow Nigerians living in these countries to renew their passports without physically attending a passport centre for biometric enrolment.
Akinlabi explained that the application is currently available for download on the Google Play Store under the name “NIS Mobile”, with an iOS version set to launch soon. A more enhanced version of the app for both Android and iPhone users is also in development, aimed at improving overall user experience.
“With this rollout, the contactless passport application is now available to Nigerians in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, Europe, and Asia,” he said.
He added that the service is yet to be launched in Australia and Nigeria itself, with a formal rollout date for these regions to be announced later.
The contactless passport application system was first introduced in Canada on 5 November 2024, before being extended to the UK and Ireland in February 2025. This latest expansion represents the second major phase of the diaspora-focused digital upgrade.
NIS Comptroller General, Kemi Nandap, said the move reflects the agency’s commitment to simplifying the passport acquisition process for Nigerians living abroad.
She noted that the system’s goal is to eliminate physical queues and visits, allowing applicants to complete renewals digitally from the comfort of their homes. It offers enhanced security, rapid identity verification, and seamless document processing.
The innovation forms part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to embrace technology in the public sector. By reducing physical contact and relying on biometric verification via mobile devices, the system prioritises convenience, efficiency, and data security.
The NIS has reiterated its focus on enhancing service delivery and accessibility for the Nigerian diaspora, ensuring that essential services such as passport renewals are not hindered by geographical barriers.
