The United States has issued a stern warning to its citizens residing in Nigeria, cautioning them against using the domestic online passport renewal system.
Officials stated that attempting to use this platform from outside the United States “could automatically invalidate their current passport and leave them without a valid travel document.”
The warning follows reports of U.S. citizens abroad “unknowingly submitting online passport renewal applications” while outside the country, only to discover their existing passports were cancelled before their replacements arrived.
According to guidance from diplomatic missions, citizens physically present outside the U.S. are “not eligible to use the online passport renewal platform.”
“Applying to renew a U.S. passport online while outside the United States will result in the automatic cancellation of your current passport,” the embassy advised in a recent notice.
Once the application is submitted, the passport being renewed is “electronically invalidated and cannot be used for international travel,” even if it hasn’t reached its expiration date.
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos continue to provide essential passport services, including renewals and first-time applications, through scheduled appointments.
Officials urged citizens to follow the “appropriate overseas renewal procedures” rather than attempting to use the domestic system, which is strictly designed for applicants currently located within the United States.
For those requiring assistance, the embassy noted that:
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Eligible applicants in Nigeria may have access to a mail-in renewal service.
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Citizens should check the specific requirements for the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos.
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Those uncertain about their status should “contact the nearest U.S. diplomatic mission” before taking any action.
The U.S. government further encouraged Americans overseas to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates and emergency notifications.
The warning comes as Nigeria remains under a “Level 3 travel advisory” from the State Department, which urges citizens to “reconsider travel” to certain parts of the country due to ongoing security concerns, including crime, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
