Issuance of new passport begins in March, says Immigration

The Nigeria Immigration Service says it will commence issuance
of new passport in the Federal Capital Territory from March 4.

This was disclosed by NIS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday
James in Abuja, on Monday.

It will be recalled that the new e-passport was officially
launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, January
16.

According to James, the existing passport booklet will run
concurrently with the new enhanced passport booklet until the
former expires.

Other scheduled dates, James said, included Ikoyi in Lagos —
March 25; Kano — April 1; Alausa, Lagos –April 8; and London,
United Kingdom April 15.

He said the phase two multiple rollout in New York, Washington,
and Atlanta, USA would follow immediately after London on April 22;
while other locations, local and abroad, would follow in sequence
from April 29.

The PRO further said that the passport reforms which included
introduction of new enhanced passport booklet and passport with
10-year validity had various category of passports and approved
fees.

He said that the cost of 32-page five-year standard passport
stood at N25,000; 64-page five-year standard passport at N35,00;
64-page 10-year standard passport at N70,000; and 32-page five-year
official passport at N15,000.

According to James, the new passport has enormous advantages
which comprised passport with 10-year validity, self-tracking of
application and express centers for urgent application.

Other advantages he said included weather friendliness,
compliance with latest ICAO standard, polycarbonate technology that
reduced incidence of damage as well saves Nigerians in the Diaspora
time of frequent visits to Nigerian Embassies.

“We urge Nigerians to take advantage of the reforms, avoid
patronising third party or touts and utilise the online platforms
provided by the service for their passport application,” he
said.

(NAN)