NIS Clarifies Non-issuance of Passport in South-east Italy & Four Other International Stations

NIS Clarifies Non-issuance of Passport in South-east Italy & Four Other International Stations – The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has recently issued a formal clarification regarding the non-issuance of passports at five specific international stations, most notably in South-east Italy. This announcement comes as a response to growing concerns and misconceptions among the Nigerian diaspora regarding the accessibility of consular services in these regions. The Service emphasized that while these locations are active administrative outposts, they are not currently equipped to function as full-fledged passport production centers.

According to the official statement, the affected stations include South-east Italy (Palermo), Seoul (South Korea), Oslo (Norway), Luanda (Angola), and Mexico City (Mexico). The NIS explained that the absence of passport printing facilities in these areas is primarily due to logistical frameworks and the ongoing phased rollout of the enhanced e-Passport system. For Nigerians living in these jurisdictions, this means that while initial applications or data capturing might occur locally in some instances, the physical production of the document is handled elsewhere.

For Nigerians residing in South-east Italy, the NIS directed that all passport-related matters be channeled through the Nigerian Embassy in Rome. The Service acknowledged the travel burden this might place on citizens living far from the capital but maintained that consolidating production ensures better security and quality control for the new polycarbonate documents. This centralized approach is a temporary measure designed to maintain the integrity of the Nigerian travel document while infrastructure upgrades continue.

Beyond Italy, the NIS highlighted that the challenges in stations like Seoul and Oslo are being addressed through a “hub and spoke” model. In this arrangement, smaller stations collect biometric data and forward it to a regional processing hub equipped with the necessary industrial printing technology. This ensures that even without a local printing press, Nigerians in remote international locations can still renew their documents without needing to fly back to Nigeria.

The Service also took the opportunity to warn the public against patronizing unauthorized third-party agents who claim to have “special access” to expedite passport issuance in these non-production zones. The Comptroller General of Immigration reiterated that all payments must be made through the official NIS portal. Exploiting the confusion surrounding these five stations, some racketeers have reportedly been charging exorbitant fees, promising results that the current local infrastructure cannot support.

Technological upgrades remain at the heart of the current limitations. The NIS is currently transitioning to the Enhanced e-Passport, which requires specialized hardware that has not yet been deployed to every mission globally. The Service assured the public that plans are underway to expand the installation of these machines to more embassies, including those in the currently affected regions, as part of their commitment to “Service Excellence.”

In conclusion, the Nigeria Immigration Service urged Nigerians in South-east Italy and the four other international stations to remain patient and follow the designated official channels. By clarifying the status of these stations, the NIS aims to reduce the frustration of applicants and provide a transparent roadmap for passport acquisition. Citizens are encouraged to monitor the official NIS website and social media handles for updates on when full production capabilities will be extended to these locations.

Content by: internationalpassport.ng