Renewing your passport at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg can be a long and opaque process. Here’s how it went for me.
You’ll need the following for the passport application process:
- Your application receipt (read on for how to get this)
- Your original passport
- ZAR 2,370 for fees
Let’s get into it.
Renewing your passport: How the process works
Part I: Paying your application fees at the OIS building
Visit the OIS building near the Consulate on 6 Bolton Road, Parkwood, Rosebank.
There is parking opposite the road at Park Corner, and the parking fee as of writing is around R10.00. You can skip this fee if you arrive by Uber.
At the OIS building, the receptionist will note your passport details and take you to the main payment area, where you’ll find card machines to pay for your passport renewal application.
This fee depends on which passport option you choose:
- 32-page (5-year validity)
- 64-page (5-year validity)
- 64-page (10-year validity)
As of writing, the fee for a 32-page passport valid for five years is R2,000 per application. We got billed an extra R250 in administrative fees, so prepare for that as well.
You may wonder why they require multiple payments at the same building for the same application. Welcome to dealing with the Nigerian government! 🤷🏽♂️
After paying the fees, you’ll head to a third waiting area within the OIS building, where someone will note down your details and give you an appointment date for your biometrics.
Unless you need a same-day appointment (see below), you’re done for now and can head home.
How to get a same-day biometrics appointment to renew your passport at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg
The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg can grant you a same-day appointment if you have a letter from your local consulate confirming your urgent need.
Your local embassy or consulate will need documentary evidence of your urgency to prepare this letter.
For example, you might be applying for a visa to the UK and need a passport with at least six months validity or based in another country and need to return soon.
Based on your circumstances, your local embassy or consulate will write an official letter for you to deliver to the OIS staff in Johannesburg.
My brother was able to get his biometrics done on the same day because he was based outside SA. Mine was set for a month after payment. Your mileage may vary.
Part II: Doing your biometrics at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg
On the day of your biometrics appointment, bring your appointment letter and original passport to the main consulate building on 16 Rivonia Road, Illovo, Sandton. Note that there is no parking at the main building.
You can park by the main road (if you’re okay with that) or park at the nearby Thrupps Center (a safer option about one minute away from the consulate).
You can then walk back to the consulate (a six-minute walk) to begin the process.
I advise you to arrive as early as you can. The consulate hall gets packed pretty quickly. I arrived at 8 am (when they officially open) and found 11 people there.
You might need to take the morning or the whole day off to complete the process without interruption. I do not know if they allow rescheduling.
Join the queue at the consulate gate and hand in your passport for check-in. The guard will note your details and give you a queue number to use inside.
The guard retains your phone (tied to your queue number) and gives you a laminated card for later retrieval, assuming you leave it with him.
I left my phone in my car because I prefer to retain possession of my belongings. You can do the same or leave it with a trusted friend or family member.
Another guard will pat you down before sending you in. Ensure you bring a working payment card — you’ll need it for the final payment.
Once you’re in, find a seat — there’s enough seating for about 60 people. When the hall gets packed, you might have to stand.
One of the officials will come in and start calling out numbers. In my case, the officer arrived 72 minutes after the consulate opened.
When it’s your turn, walk up to the table and hand over your appointment letter. The staff member will check your name against the appointment register for that day, collect your appointment letter, and ask you to head to the payment window.
You’ll pay R120 (as of writing) at the payment window with your card and sign the receipt. They do not accept cash for this step. Keep this receipt for the next step.
Note: In the main hall, the TV may or may not be on, invariably on a political channel. Nigerians love politics, so there’ll be excited chatter and reactions.
This can make it hard to hear your queue number in a packed room — but listen closely for it.
Doing your biometrics
There’s a glass door leading to a hallway with counters for biometrics. You’ll join the queue there when they call your number (typically five people at a time).
The staff member at the counter will request your payment receipt from earlier (the R120 you paid) and see your passport’s data page.
They’ll take your photo and fingerprints and give you a printed collection slip indicating your batch number.
That’s it, you’re done.
Timeline of passport renewal application process
Here is a rough timeline of my experience at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg:
- 08h00 – Consulate opens
- 08h20 – Check-in and admission (~2 mins/person)
- 08h40 – Staff member welcomes us and switches on the TV
- 09h12 – Staff begins calling out numbers
- 09h30 – Finished paying R120 fee
- 10h02 – Called in to join the biometrics queue
- 10h10 – Completed biometrics process
My process took 2h 10 minutes. For context, I was #12 in the queue.
If you have a higher queue number, your experience may take much longer. Arriving early is key.
Track your passport renewal application with your batch number
The Nigerian Consulate’s Facebook Page periodically announces which batch numbers are ready for collection. Here’s an example:
Timelines vary, but the period between application and collection can be three to four months.
When your batch number is ready, bring your collection slip (the one you got after doing your biometrics) and collect your passport at the Nigerian Consulate.
You will need a valid ID such as your passport. As of writing, nobody else can collect it on your behalf except for minors and in proven cases of medical indisposition.
FAQ
What are the required documents to renew your Nigerian passport in Johannesburg?
You must bring your original passport to the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg. If you need an urgent biometrics appointment, you must bring along a letter from your local consulate urging your case to be fast-tracked.
How much does it cost to renew your Nigerian passport in Johannesburg?
It costs approximately R2,370 to renew your passport at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg. This includes the various application and biometric fees.
How long does it take to renew your passport at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg?
It takes approximately 3-6 months for your new passport to be ready. Some people report it taking much longer. You can track your batch number on the consulate’s Facebook Page.
Can someone else collect my passport for me at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg?
Unfortunately, as of writing, nobody else can collect it on your behalf except for minors and in proven cases of medical indisposition.
When does the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg open?
The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg (located at 16 Illovo Road, Sandton) opens at 8 am and closes at 4 pm, Monday to Friday.
Is there parking at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg?
There is limited parking at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg. You may have to park by the main road or at the nearby Thrupps Center (for a small fee).
What are the contact details of the Nigerian Consulate General in South Africa?
You can reach the consulate general at:
Tel: 011 442 3620
Email: cgjhb@nigerianconsulatesa.org
Mohammed Shehu, Ph.D. writes on content and marketing for creators and brands. You can find him online @shehuphd everywhere.