UK Passport Applicants Told to Pay Only Official Fees

(Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Photo by Ministry of Interior)

The Federal Government has said Nigerians applying for passports in the United Kingdom are not being charged extra fees beyond the official amounts.

The Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the clarification after complaints about long delays at passport centres, particularly in Manchester.

The ministry said applicants only need to pay the official fees $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a 10-year one. Bank charges may apply but there are no additional government fees.

The minister said the special passport intervention was set up to give Nigerians in the UK more options to apply for passports.

He expressed concern about the problems people have faced and said talks are happening with the Foreign Affairs Ministry to fix the issues.

The ministry encouraged applicants to use the contactless biometric system, which it described as easier and faster for processing applications.

The clarification came after someone in Derby complained on social media about the Manchester centre.

He said people who arrived at 9:00 am were still waiting by 11:30 am without being served.

He criticised the disorganisation and said people had taken time off work and travelled long distances, only to face long waits.

The government said it remains committed to improving passport services for Nigerians both home and abroad.