Nigerians Abroad Can Return With Expired Passports — NIS

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has clarified that Nigerians living abroad can return to Nigeria with their expired Nigerian passports and renew them after arrival.

The clarification comes as many Nigerians in the diaspora prepare to travel home for the end-of-year season.

According to the NIS, travellers do not need to wait to renew their passports abroad before returning to Nigeria. They can use their expired passports to travel home and process renewal once they arrive.

The Service also said its passport intervention at the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom has not disrupted regular services, with applicants continuing to receive attention according to their scheduled appointments.

NIS spokesperson, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, also confirmed that the contactless passport application platform remains operational, allowing Nigerians who prefer remote processing to renew their passports through the platform.

The NIS had previously announced plans for a Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) for Nigerians abroad whose passports are expired, lost or stolen, to facilitate their return to Nigeria.

The latest clarification is expected to ease concerns among Nigerians abroad planning to return home, particularly those whose passports have expired.