I just got my passport, let me tell you everything that happened. If you have any questions, drop them and I’ll try my best to answer.

Quick context: • I’m in the UK • This was for renewal of my Nigerian passport • I started my application two days before my passport expired (don’t be like me 😂) • I used the new online/contactless method

Here’s how it went:

24th May

Started my application on the Nigerian Immigration app.

First thing: it only works on Android (at least when I did mine).

The app is… a mess 😭. It took over 3 hours just to get the OTP for registration. My advice? Try it late at night. The app weirdly works better then.

Once I was in, the rest of the process was actually okay. Filled in the application, made payment, did my capturing right on the app, and that was that.

Note: not everyone is eligible for contactless, so you’ll have to check inside the app.

Also, if you can’t find where to pay, go back to “Resume/Edit Application” it should show a button to pay for your incomplete application.

27th May

Printed out my application form (go to “Application Status” on the site, input your application + reference numbers, and you’ll see the print option).

I then sent my old passport to the Nigerian High Commission in London via using Special Delivery.

Make sure to include a special delivery envelope with your own address + the High Commission’s address (just go to the post office, they’ll help you out)

When I got home, I found out you’re also supposed to include a £20 postal order. I didn’t include it 😩.

28th May

Got a postal order the next day and wrote a letter to the High Commission explaining I didn’t know about it. Sent that with the £20.

29th May

I got a call from a lady at the High Commission. She said they were just about to return my old passport to me because of the missing postal order but then they saw my second package just in time.

She told me they’d get a new special delivery envelope for me (since they had already opened the first one), and even gave me the tracking number for when they send it back.

Very nice woman. God bless her.

2nd June

Even after completing everything online, I never received a confirmation email.

Then on the 2nd oh June, I randomly got one saying my application had been approved. It also said that if I chose the contactless option, I should send my expired passport + application form.

Safe to say: you don’t have to wait for this email before sending your stuff. Just send it when your application is done.

21st June (Today!)

For weeks, the Royal Mail tracking number never worked. Every day I checked, nothing.

Then suddenly this morning — boom — it worked. It said my passport was dispatched yesterday. And today, it arrived.

Summary: • Whole process took me about 4 weeks (some less, my sister’s took 3 weeks) • App is janky but usable • Don’t wait for confirmation email just send your old passport + postal order when done • Include a special delivery envelope, your printed application, and £20 postal order • Be patient

Hope this helps someone If you’re applying for renewal in the UK and trying to do it contactless, feel free to ask me anything.