Ireland Passport for Nigerian Citizens

Ireland Passport for Nigerian Citizens: a Comprehensive Guide

First-time Irish passport applications involve many documents, certifications, and witnessing requirements that you may not understand. Our expert services can help you get your first Irish passport as quickly as possible.

Nigerian Emigration

For Nigerian emigration matters, please call +2342013306361 or +44 (0) 3316300929

Other Immigration and Emigration Matters

For immigration/emigration to/from other countries, please call:

US –  +1 844 290 6312

Ireland –  (+353) 061 518 025

UK –  (+44) 333 4149244

Benefits of Holding an Ireland Passport

While you do not need an Irish passport to benefit from Irish citizenship and can use your Nigerian passport for travel, obtaining the Irish passport book has many benefits.

Ireland Passport Visa-Free Countries

The Irish passport, which is valid for 10 years at a time, allows for hassle-free travel to 190 countries. This is broken down as follows:

• Visa-Free: You may travel without a visa, eTA, or visa-upon-arrival in 146 countries. This includes Schengen states, as Irish citizens will be exempt from incoming ETIAS requirements
• Visa-On-Arrival: In 34 countries, you may travel into the country without a visa but must get a visa upon arrival
• eTA Travel: You may travel without a visa in 10 countries, but you must fill out the online Electronic Travel Authorization form and pay the fee in advance

Nigerian passports currently only enable visa-free travel to 82 countries. By obtaining a second Irish passport, you can save on visa fees and reduce travel planning stress.

Pathways to Obtain an Ireland Passport for Nigerian Citizens

1. Naturalization Route to Irish Citizenship

Naturalisation happens if you live in Ireland legally through any method for 5 consecutive years. This means if you received a Critical Skills Employment Permit or any of the other of available visas, for example, and remained in Ireland for a period of 5 years, then you can obtain citizenship.

How to pay Ireland visa fee?

The application fee is €175, and if successful, there is a €950 certification fee. Note, If you are applying for a minor or the surviving partner of a civil partnership or marriage, it’s €200. There is no fee for refugees.

How do I pay the Irish visa fee? Depending on where you make the application, you can use your debit card, bank account, money orders, or bank cheques.

2. Getting an Ireland Passport through Marriage

You can get an Ireland work permit without a job offer and then work towards citizenship through naturalisation if you marry or become civil partners with an Irish citizen. With this route, you may apply for naturalisation after your marriage or civil partnership, and once you’ve lived in Ireland for at least three out of the last 5 years.

3. Getting an Ireland Passport for Irish-born Nigerians

If you are a Nigerian-born person with an Irish parent or grandparent, you may be eligible for Irish citizenship by birth or descent. This applies if:

• One of your grandparents was Irish and born in Ireland
• One of your parents is an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, even if they weren’t born in Ireland themselves

You will need to apply to join the Foreign Births Register. Once entered, you can then immediately apply for a passport. This can be a complicated process, so don’t hesitate to get expert legal advice from our team here at IAS by contacting us at +2342013306361 or using our online form.

Eligibility Criteria for an Ireland Passport

Anyone with Irish citizenship can apply for an Irish passport. If you are naturalised or on the Foreign Birth Registry, simply include your official certificates as proof of immigration status.

Documents You Need to Apply for an Irish Passport

You will need several documents to apply for an Irish passport.

Ireland Passport Requirements: A Checklist

You will need to provide these documents as part of your application:

• Completed, signed, and witnessed application form
• Completed, signed, and witnessed Identity verification form
• Original Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), if applicable
• Original civil birth certificate that includes parent(s) name(s)
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate if applying in your married name)
• Proof of address from a government source
• Proof of name from original government correspondence
• Two forms of photo ID
  • Original passport
  • National ID card
  • Social security card
• Four passport photos

Additional Documents You Need If You Naturalised

You’ll need to prove that you held a visa to Ireland, and that you fulfilled all the visa requirements to get naturalised. The good news is this is all automatically done when you get your naturalisation certificate, so you’ll only need these extra documents if you originally had a visa to Ireland:

• Original Naturalisation Certificate
• Original foreign passport, if available
• A certified copy of your public services card or driver’s license if you live in Ireland

Additional Documents You Need If You Married an Irish Citizen

If you’re the spouse of an Irish citizen and gained naturalisation that way, then you’ll need these additional documents:

• Original civil marriage certificate
• OR: original Civil Partnership certificate

Additional Documents You Need if You’re on the Foreign Birth Registration

If you’re a citizen of Nigeria but have a parent or grandparent from the Republic of Ireland or Ireland, then you’ll need to first register on the Foreign Birth Registry. Prove that you are on it by providing these additional documents:

• Original Foreign Birth Registration Certificate or certified colour copy
• Your foreign passport
• Original civil birth certificate of the Irish citizen parent or grandparent
• Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent or grandparent or other name change document, if applicable

How to Get Documents Witnessed

A witness knows you personally but is not a relation and is currently practising in their profession. They must also reside in the same country as you. If you are in Ireland, this must be a member of the Garda Síochána. In Nigeria, a witness can be any of the following:

• Police officer
• School official
• Medical professional
• Lawyer
• Notary public
• Bank employee
• Accountant

Copies typically need to be certified with an official stamp. If your witness does not have such a stamp, provide a business card for them in your application.

How to Certify a Copy

You must have document copies certified by a solicitor like IAS or a notary public.

Identity Verification

To verify your identity, you must bring your proof (birth certificate, ID, proof of address, official correspondence) to your witness and fill out the relevant forms. If you apply online, you will need to print this form out, have your witness sign it, and then upload it. Then you will:

• Sign Section 7: If you have children under 6, complete Section 7 of the form before a suitable witness. Witnesses must use a landline number, not a mobile number. If they don’t have a stamp, they must provide their business card
• Sign Section 8: You must do this in front of the witness. Children 7 years or older must sign this section for themselves
• Complete Section 9: The witness must complete Section 9 and stamp it, or submit their business card
• Put the Form Number on Your Photos: Take the form number from Section 9 and put them on two of your passport photos
• Sign and Stamp: Your witness will then need to sign and stamp the back of those two photos

Residency Records

You must provide original government correspondence proving your address. If your current address is in Nigeria, these must come with a translation into English or Irish. If you do not have official government correspondence, use utility bills or bank statements instead.

Passport Photo

There are different photo requirements if you apply online or with a paper application.

Online Application Photo Requirements

If you’re applying online, you must include a digital photo taken within the last 6 months. This photo can be digital and taken with:

• A smartphone, tablet, or computer
• A camera

If you take the photo yourself, do not use the selfie camera or zoom in.

You can also:

• Go to a photography shop or official IDstation to get a professional digital photo
• Use a Photo-Me photo booth and get the digital download code to add to your application

Your passport photo must be:

• Digital, not scanned
• In colour
• Be 715 pixels (wide) and 951 pixels (height) or larger
• Be a JPEG
• 9 megabytes (MB) or smaller

Your photo must not be compressed in any way to make the size fit the 9MB limit. It must also not be digitally enhanced or changed.

Paper Application Photo Requirements

If you are making a paper application, you will need 4 printed photos taken less than 6 months ago. They must:

• Be between 35 to 38mm (W) and 45 to 50mm (L) in size
• Be printed on photo-quality paper
• Be properly exposed and in focus
• Not have any glasses glare
• Not have red eye
• Have good contrast between the subject and background
• Have a plain background
• Have a blank reverse

The pose requirements include:

• Your head to mid-torso must be included
• There must be some visible space between your head and shoulders
• A neutral (non-smiling) expression
• Head straight on (not tilted or looking side-to-side)
• Hair must be tucked behind the ears
• All your facial features must be visible if wearing a head covering
• Good contrast between you and the backdrop
• No lens flares or glasses glare in the photo

Photo Requirements for Babies and Children

If you take a passport photo for an infant, then you must follow these pose requirements:

• Babies must be laid down if they cannot sit up on their own
• Babies should be placed on a plain white surface
• No one else should be in the photo
• Soothers or pacifiers cannot be in the photo

Try to get your infant’s expression as neutral as possible. Their mouths should also be closed.

Ireland Passport Application Process

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for an Ireland Passport

It is highly recommended you use the Passport Online service. The steps to apply for your passport using this method include:

1. Create an account on Ireland’s Passport Online service.
2. Complete the online form.
3. Print off the Identity Verification Form and have witnesses fill out and sign it.
4. Print the Application Cover Page.
5. Submit your online application.
6. Send supporting documents (with the filled-out Identity Verification and Cover Page) via a secure postage method or submit your documents to your nearest Irish Embassy.

You can apply through Post Passport as well. Follow these steps to use the An Post application method, which is currently only available to residents of Ireland.

1. Acquire the APS 1 form, which is found at any Garda station or post office. It is not available online.
2. Fill out the APS 1 form.
3. Include your documents.
4. Have the applicable form sections and photos signed by your witness.
5. Mail your application.

If you cannot use the online method but need to apply via post in Nigeria, you can go see your nearest Irish embassy or consulate and receive and fill out the APS 2 form. The document and witness requirements remain the same.

Where to Apply for Your Irish Passport

You can apply for or renew an Irish passport in several ways.

1. Online: This is the fastest, cheapest and most convenient way to apply for or renew an Irish Passport.
2. Post: This is a slower option. You can mail your application anywhere in Ireland or Nigeria.
3. In-Person: In-person appointments are only for expedited passport renewals in Ireland. If you are abroad, you may apply for your passport by going to see your nearest Irish embassy or consulate.

Ireland Passport Application Fees

Fees will vary depending on the application method that you use.

Using the Passport Online Service

When applying online, there will also be postal return fees. These fees cover the cost of receiving and returning supporting documents:

Passport Postal Service Fees

If you are applying via post instead of online, then there are different fees.

There are also additional administrative fees if you choose express delivery through An Post. These fees are:

• €9.50 for a single application
• €16 for up to four applications

If you are applying inside Nigeria the fees depend on the postal service you choose.

Ireland Passport Average Processing Times

The first time you apply as an adult or child, the turnaround time is 20 days after the Department of Foreign Affairs receives your documents.

If you are applying in Nigeria, your local embassy or consulate will provide an initial assessment, which lengthens the process.

How to Track Your Passport Application in Ireland

To track, use the passport tracking service on Ireland’s government website. You will need your Passport Application ID, the 11-digit barcode on your application form or An Post receipt.

Emergency Passport and Expedited Services

There is no express service for first-time passport applicants unless there’s a genuine emergency. such as a medical emergency or the death of a family member abroad. You will need to prove you cannot travel any other way (for example, on your Nigerian passport).

You can expedite Ireland passport renewal. To get a fast renewal, you must book an appointment, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For express renewal services, you can use:

• Same-Day Turnaround Renewal: This can be booked 3 days in advance
• 4-Day Turnaround Renewal: This can be booked 3 weeks in advance
• 5-Day Turnaround Renewal: This is only available in the London office and can be booked up to 3 weeks in advance

How IAS Can Help You Get an Emergency Passport ASAP

We can help you by correctly filling out the passport application form and ensuring all your supporting documents are correct, witnessed, signed, and in order. This helps ensure you get an approved passport if renewing and speeds up your first passport application.

Ireland Passport Book vs Passport Card: Everything You Need to Know

You can also apply for a passport card, which is valid for 5 years. These cards work the same way as your passport book and are currently accepted for travel to 31 countries, including all EU and EEA member states.

They can be applied for individually through Passport Online or at the same time as your first passport application or when you renew.

Passport cards cost:

Ireland Passport Renewal and Extension

You can renew your passport online using the same portal you used to make your first application. All you need to do is click the “Renewal” button in the portal and select the type (passport book, card, or bundle). You will then be asked to upload the relevant information.

What Documents Are Needed to Renew an Irish Passport?

To renew your Irish passport or passport card, you will need:

• Digital passport photos
• Your passport book
• A valid email address
• Payment method (credit or debit card)

How Much Does a Passport Renewal Cost?

It costs the same to renew your passport online or by post as it was to apply for your first card.

If you need your passport renewed faster, you must apply in person at the public counter in Dublin or Cork. The prices for expedited services are different.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Passport Renewal in Ireland?

Getting your passport renewed is relatively quick. You can expect your application to be reviewed, approved or rejected, and passport sent out in these time frames:

Is it Possible to Apply for an Ireland Passport Extension?

No, passport expiry dates cannot be extended. However, you can apply for a renewal before your current passport expires to continue travelling uninhibited.

What to Do if You Lost Your Passport Ireland

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you must obtain a police report. If this is impossible, go to the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate.

Once reported, you need to make a new passport application. In Section 6, include what happened to your previous passport. The local police or an appropriate witness, like our IAS experts, must then witness and stamp Section 6.

Contact IAS representatives if you are currently abroad and need a passport replacement. We’ll advise you on what you can do based on your current location.

What to Do if You Damaged Your Passport

Do not travel on your passport if it’s been damaged. Instead, apply for a replacement. You will need to return your existing passport as part of your application to get a replacement.

How Can IAS Help?

Applying for your first Irish passport can be daunting, especially if you must provide original or certified copies of critical documents. If you need help, IAS experts are here for you.

Comprehensive Immigration Support

From initial consultation to full representation, we provide the immigration service you need. This means we are here to help you with your first visa, with naturalisation, or with putting together your first passport or visa application.

Immigration Journey Planning

We offer short and long-term planning services. If your ultimate goal is to get an Ireland passport but you don’t know where to start with the visa or naturalisation process, then we are here to help.

We’ll guide you through all the legal requirements and handle the legal elements to increase your chances of obtaining Irish citizenship and your first Irish passport.

Get Ireland Immigration Service Online or In our Office

We can help you with your immigration planning in Nigeria, Ireland, or anywhere else in the world. To make our services accessible, we offer online, in-person, and email support:

• Online Consultations: consultations can be held via video for clients currently in Nigeria or without easy access to one of our offices
• In-Person Consultations: Options for in-person meetings at IAS offices in Nigeria, Ireland or elsewhere in the UK
• Phone and Email Support: Dedicated communication channels for prompt assistance; we’re here to quickly answer any problem

Ready to get started? No matter where you are in your immigration journey, our team of experts is here to help guide you through. Call us at +2342013306361, message us online, or visit our office at 42 Saka Tinubu, Victoria Island, Lagos to get in touch.