Having a valid Nigerian passport is essential for students, families and individuals who recently moved to the U.S. from Nigeria. Beyond its primary function as a travel document, a valid passport is a vital form of identification for various legal and official transactions in the U.S., including opening bank accounts, registering for professional exams, and applying for driver's licenses.

If you are reading this, chances are you are planning to renew your Nigerian passport in the U.S. or trying to gather enough information about the process.  Well, you are in the right place! In this article, we'll provide a simple step-by-step guide addressing common concerns and practical tips to ensure a smooth and successful Nigerian passport renewal experience in the United States of America.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Renewing Your Nigerian Passport in the USA

To renew your Nigerian passport, you will need to follow these steps:

Complete the online application.

• Visit the new official Nigerian Immigration Service website.
• Tap on the "apply now" button on the passport menu.
• Afterwards, you will be  provided with  two options: tap on "applying from outside Nigeria." 
• Log in using an existing email account or sign up using an OpenID, Google or Yahoo account. If you don't have any, create a new one to start your application.
• Select 'Standard E-passport' and choose the processing country(U.S.) to start the online application form.
• Choose the Nigerian embassy/consulate that serves your area.
• Complete the online form and print out a copy of the completed application before you submit it for payment.
• After successful submission, you will be provided with a reference number and an application ID.

Make your payment online.

The fees for renewing a Nigerian passport in the USA are based on the number of pages and the applicant's age.

• You can pay the fee with a credit/debit card or a Post Office money order.
•  After payment, print the payment confirmation slip.
• Another additional fee you may pay is the $30 administrative fee which will be paid during your appointment.
• In case of a lost passport, you will have to pay a loss penalty of $370, and a police report fee of $50.

The table below summarizes the current prices available for each age group:

Schedule an appointment.

• After completing the online application, visit the appointment booking page on the Nigerian Embassy or Consulate website that you choose to schedule an appointment.
• To schedule an appointment for the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Washington DC, click here.
• To schedule an appointment for the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta, click here.
• To schedule an appointment for the Nigerian Consulate in New York, click here.

It is advisable to schedule an appointment six months before your current passport expires.

Attend your appointment.

This is the final step to renewing your Nigerian passport in the U.S. Many people tend to make mistakes or go in prepared for the worst based on hearsay. Still, if you are well prepared, this is the most straightforward step, and we'll show you how.

First, gather all required documents which include; copies of your passport photographs, printed online application form, printed passport acknowledgement slip, printed payment confirmation slip, your current Nigerian Passport, your passport data page, self-addressed prepaid envelope, $30 Administrative fee and a copy of your NIN.

Additional tips for renewing your Nigerian passport in the USA.

For the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, you may want to consider the following tips:

• Your payment confirmation slip will have your interview date printed on it, and you should visit the Embassy of Nigeria, 3519 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008 in person.
• Interviews happen on weekdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, except on Fridays, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. If your scheduled date falls on a holiday, your interview will be moved to the next business day.
• If you would prefer to pick up your passport but can't go in person, you can have another person pick it up on your behalf, but they must take the following items along: a valid identification card of the person you've authorized to collect your passport, the pick-up slip for your passport application and your expired Nigerian passport.
• If you won't be able to pick up your passport in person, you can have it mailed to you using the self-addressed prepaid envelope.

It is important to note that amendments to the Nigerian passport, such as name changes, are no longer processed in the US and must be done in Nigeria. The amount for an amendment in Nigeria is typically around N20000-N30000, and it might vary.

Wrapping Up.

Renewing a Nigerian passport in the U.S. might seem overwhelming, but it's not far from impossible. With the correct information, you can navigate the process with ease and efficiency. We've tailored this guide to clarify each step, ensuring the renewal of your Nigerian passport is as smooth as possible, even in the USA.

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