🇳🇬 Nigeria Passport Photo Requirements (2026 Guide)

Photo Dimensions

Nigerian passport photos must be 35 mm wide x 45 mm tall (1.38 x 1.77 inches), following the ICAO standard. For the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) online portal, digital photos should be 413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI in JPEG format.

Background Requirements

The background must be pure white. The NIS is strict about this — off-white, cream, or light blue backgrounds will be rejected during the biometric capture process. No shadows or patterns are permitted.

Face and Expression

A neutral expression with closed mouth is required. Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. The face must be centred in the frame. Your head must be straight with no tilting. Both ears should ideally be visible.

Glasses

Glasses are not allowed in Nigerian passport photos. All eyewear must be removed, including prescription glasses and sunglasses. This ensures clear biometric capture of the eye area.

Head Coverings

Head coverings are permitted for religious reasons. Nigeria allows hijabs, turbans, and other religious head coverings. However, the full face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead must be clearly visible, and the covering must not cast shadows on the face.

Photo Recency

Photos must have been taken within the last 6 months. The NIS captures biometric photos at their offices, but applicants may also submit pre-taken photos that meet all specifications.

Nigerian Passport Fee Schedule

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) sets fees in both Naira (for residents applying within Nigeria) and US dollars (for applications at embassies abroad). Fees are paid online via the NIS portal before booking a biometric appointment.

Fees last verified April 2026. Always confirm the current rate on the official NIS portal (immigration.gov.ng) before paying.

Where to Apply in Nigeria

Biometric capture must be done in person at an NIS passport office. Major locations include:

• Lagos: Ikoyi Passport Office (Alagbon Close), Alausa (Ikeja), Festac, and Lekki
• Abuja: NIS Headquarters (Sauka Airport Road) and Central Area Passport Office
• Port Harcourt: Aba Road Passport Office
• Kano: Kano State Passport Office (Airport Road)
• Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, Kaduna, Calabar, Uyo, Jos: State-level passport offices in each capital

Applicants can book an appointment at any office regardless of state of residence, but your biometrics and photo are captured on-site.

Applying at Nigerian Embassies Abroad

If you live outside Nigeria, applications are submitted through the Nigerian High Commission or Embassy in your country of residence. High-volume missions include:

• United States: Embassy in Washington, DC; Consulates in New York and Atlanta
• United Kingdom: High Commission in London (Northumberland Avenue)
• Canada: High Commission in Ottawa
• South Africa: High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate in Johannesburg
• UAE: Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate-General in Dubai
• Ghana, Kenya, Germany, France, Italy, China: Missions in capital cities

Processing times for embassy applications are longer than in Nigeria because passports are typically printed in Abuja and shipped to the mission.

Processing Times

Peak travel season (May–September and December) can push processing to the upper end of these ranges. Booklet shortages periodically extend wait times further — the NIS issues public notices when this happens.

How Nigeria Compares to the UK

Top Reasons Nigerian Passport Photos Get Rejected

Photo rejection is one of the most common causes of delays at NIS biometric capture. The officers re-shoot on the spot in most cases, but if you are submitting a photo digitally through the portal or bringing printed prints, any of these will fail the check:

1. Background is not pure white. Cream, off-white, grey, or any tint is the #1 rejection reason. The NIS software flags anything that is not RGB ≥ 245,245,245.
2. Glasses still on. Even clear prescription lenses create glare and obscure the eye — officers will ask you to remove them and retake.
3. Shadow on face or behind head. Overhead lighting causes nose and chin shadows; side lighting causes a head-shaped shadow on the wall behind you. Both fail.
4. Head not centred or tilted. The head must be level and face the camera squarely. Even a slight tilt causes rejection.
5. Facial hair obscuring features. Thick beards or moustaches that cover the mouth or chin line can trigger rejection. The full face outline must be clearly visible.
6. Smiling or open mouth. Neutral expression only. Visible teeth will be rejected.
7. Low resolution or compression artefacts. Digital uploads must be at least 413 x 531 pixels. Photos taken with low-end phone cameras or heavily compressed for WhatsApp often fail.
8. Wrong file format or oversize. The NIS portal accepts JPEG only. File must typically be between 100 KB and 500 KB. PNG, HEIC, and PDF files are rejected at upload.
9. Religious head covering casting shadow. Hijabs, turbans, and other religious coverings are permitted, but they cannot cast shadows on the face or block any part of the face from the chin to the forehead.
10. Photo older than 6 months. Officers compare to the live applicant. Significant appearance changes (weight, hair, facial hair) will trigger a retake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear a hijab or other religious head covering?

Yes. Nigeria broadly permits religious head coverings, including hijabs, turbans, and Christian head wraps. The only requirement is that the full face — from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and both cheek edges — must be clearly visible, with no shadows cast on the face by the covering.

Can I submit a photo I took myself with my phone?

Yes, provided the photo meets all specifications: 413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI, pure white background, even lighting with no shadows, neutral expression, no glasses, and saved as JPEG between 100 KB and 500 KB. Using a dedicated tool that enforces the exact dimensions is strongly recommended — most phone cameras default to wider aspect ratios that will be rejected.

Do I still need a printed photo if NIS captures biometrics on-site?

For fresh passport applications in Nigeria, NIS captures your photo at the biometric station, so printed prints are not required. However, applicants at embassies abroad and applicants for re-issue or correction often need to submit printed photos along with their forms. Always confirm with the office handling your application.

Is the Enhanced e-Passport requirement different?

No. The Enhanced e-Passport (rolled out in 2019 and standard since) uses the same 35x45mm, 413x531 pixel specification with a white background. The only difference versus the older machine-readable passport is the embedded biometric chip — the photo standard is identical.

What if my photo is rejected at the biometric station?

NIS officers will re-capture your photo on the spot at no additional charge. Your application fee is not affected. However, if you are submitting through the online portal and the photo fails automated validation, you must re-upload a compliant version before the application can proceed.

Can children under 18 use the same photo specs?

Yes. The 35x45mm specification applies to all ages. For infants and very young children, the NIS is more lenient about neutral expression and eyes-open rules, but the background, lighting, and dimensions must still meet the standard.

Common Mistakes

• Off-white background: The NIS requires pure white. Many local studios use cream or light blue backgrounds — verify before accepting.
• Wearing glasses: All eyewear must be removed. This is strictly enforced at NIS biometric capture stations.
• Low resolution photos: Digital uploads must meet the minimum pixel requirements. Blurry or pixelated photos will be rejected.
• Head covering shadows: Religious head coverings are permitted, but they must not cast shadows on the face or background.
• Wrong file format or size: The NIS portal accepts JPEG format only, typically between 100 KB and 500 KB.