How I Travelled From the UK to Nigeria with an Expired Passport
As someone who always likes to cross her t's and dot her i's, I was a bit anxious that my Nigerian Passport had expired, especially since I planned to travel to Nigeria for the Christmas holiday.
To find out if it was possible to travel to Nigeria with an expired passport (after all, I'm Nigerian), I decided to do a quick search on Google, YouTube, and TikTok. I came across a mix of information: some sources claimed it was possible, others warned of potential immigration issues, and a few advised that renewing your passport before travelling was safer.
In the end, I decided to check the official channel in the UK. The earliest passport renewal appointment at the Nigerian High Commission was in April 2025, leaving me with the option of obtaining the Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC). Fortunately, I discovered the Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) option and all the necessary information on their website.
I felt relieved to see this option available and that an appointment wasn't necessary. Later that evening, I decided to check again and found the notification banner that they were going on the Christmas break from the 16th till the 3rd of January 2025, which meant I only had the next day, a Friday, to obtain the travel document. Alarmed, I gathered my documents and headed for the commission first thing in the morning.
So, what is the Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC)?
According to the Nigerian High Commission in the UK, the ETC is a travel document issued to facilitate an applicant's immediate ONE-WAY departure to Nigeria, valid for 30 days from the date of issue. What is more, you don't need to book an appointment to get the ETC.
What do you need to get one?
This is where things get a bit tricky because there are two pages with ETC requirements. The initial list of requirements can be found on the e-passport requirement page, and the streamlined version, listed below, can be found in the footer of the website under the immigration column. Simply click on Emergency Travel Certificate to learn more.
Adults
- Copy of Nigerian Passport Data Page.
- Two (2) passport photographs.
- Flight ticket (optional)
- £120 postal order addressed to Nigeria High Commission.
Children (Under 18)
- Copy of Nigerian Passport Data Page.
- Two (2) passport photographs.
- Flight ticket (optional).
- £120 postal order addressed to Nigeria High Commission.
- Birth Certificate.
- Consent Letter by parents.
- Copy of Passport data page by parent.
My Experience
At the commission
So, I arranged my documents (the streamlined documents) and headed to the High Commission. There was a thin fast, moving line, and everyone was super helpful. Though I forgot to purchase the postal order, I was lucky enough to find someone whom I purchased it from for £150 (so, ensure to get yours before heading to the the commission).
A polite staff member at the entrance assisted anyone going in and briefly checked that you had the right documents. Upon entering, I was directed to another counter and asked what I wanted to do. I checked in my mobile phone and received a card for its retrieval. I was directed to counter 8, where another pleasant staff attended to me.
She requested my documents, asked when I was travelling while she reviewed them, and asked me to write my name and phone number on the back of the postal order, which I did and presented to her. After that, she asked me to wait in the service centre.
The wait time was about three hours. During this time, officers periodically came to attend to us, and soon, another staff member arrived with the certificates and handed them out. That was it!
Checking in and immigration
I had no issues checking in as I presented both my passport and the ETC, and when I arrived in Nigeria, I had no issues with Nigerian Immigration either.
Again, I presented my expired passport and the ETC, and the officer who attended to me escalated the issue to another officer handling ETCs.
The officer in charge reviewed my passport and the ETC and asked me a few questions. He then handed me a pen and the ETC and requested that I write my name, contact information, and next of kin details on the back. I completed this and submitted the ETC to him.
He then advised me to renew my passport while in Nigeria, as the ETC only permitted one-way travel, which makes sense since it's only for that one trip. Then, I proceeded to claim my baggage.
I hope this experience helps anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation. Remember to always check the official website for the most up-to-date information and requirements.
