As part of ongoing reforms to the administration of passport and immigration services, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have launched an advanced fast-track initiative that allows Nigerians with expired passports who are currently living abroad to enter the country without difficulty. From December 12, 2022, to January 31, 2023, a continuous dedicated diasporan service will be made accessible, allowing Nigerian passport holders abroad to board their residence nations and enter Nigeria using their international travel documents that have already expired.
The unique arrangement was authorized by the Federal Government, according to the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Isah Idris, in a directive dated December 9, 2022, sent to the Foreign affairs Minister, all Immigration Attaches, all Heads of Foreign Missions, all Airport Comptrollers, and all airlines. Idris continued by saying that all Nigerian airlines had been instructed to allow passengers with outdated passports to board without any restrictions, and all Nigerian diplomatic missions overseas had been instructed to convey the same instructions to the border officials and aircraft operators within host countries to ensure compliance.
All agencies have been informed to comply with the initiative.
Anthony Akuneme, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration and Public Relations Officer of the NIS, while speaking about the unique fast-track service, said specialized Diaspora Stations had been established at all foreign airports throughout the nation to guarantee that Nigerians coming back home from abroad have a trouble-free journey. The Comptroller General of Immigration, he said, has also instructed Passport Control Offices to give precedence to the returning citizens and their families because many of them have strict deadlines for returning to their home countries following a vacation in Nigeria.
According to Akuneme, Nigerians living abroad should reap the benefits of the Federal Government’s goodwill and apply for the new upgraded Nigerian e-Passport; anyone whose biometrics have already been recorded at the NIS stations at the Nigerian embassies in their various countries of residence does not need to resubmit their information. Akuneme, while reiterating that the process for applying for and receiving a Nigerian passport has been streamlined and sped up, added that new applicants for the updated e-Passports need just apply online through the NIS website (https://www.passport.immigration.gov.ng/).
NIN is an essential part of the e-passport registration procedure.
Furthermore, the National Identity Number (NIN), which is necessary among many other relevant documents, must be brought along when individuals visit the passport office of their choice, as mentioned on the application form, he continued. The registration process also includes making payments for their desired passport type through authorized payment platforms. In addition, the spokeswoman stated that applicants who wish to take advantage of the unique opportunity could do so by visiting their preferred passport office on Monday and Wednesday of every week.
Speaking on the importance of providing NIN for the issuing of the upgraded e-Passport, Akuneme stressed the need to provide one and urged applicants to double-check the accuracy of their personal data in both the application and the NIN before submitting it. As part of the multi-layered strategic modification of passport administration throughout the country, the Comptroller-General of Immigration had stated previously that the service, which will be offered for two months, also provides the returnee Nigerians with the chance to renew their passports all through their stay in the nation.
Nigerians abroad can now easily travel for the season.
Moreover, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who is the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), utilize the opportunity to compliment the NIS boss for introducing a specific service in such a time to fulfil the needs of Nigerians coming back from abroad. Because this has been a great challenge over the year, she said that the action would go a long way toward easing the burden of people travelling back home to enjoy the festive season.
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