Other Consular Services
Please check below for all other available Consular Services:
Consular Recommendation Letter
Also called the “Citizenship Verification Letter”, “Approval Letter”, “Consular Letter”, “Introduction Letter”, “Non-objection letter” or “Consular Letter”, the Recommendation letter from the consular comes in handy when a Nigerian Citizen abroad is required to present it as extra proof that the Nigerian Mission/Embassy acknowledges the applicant. In some cases, when a Nigerian Citizen is domiciled in a foreign country and seeks a visa to another foreign country, this letter is often an extra requirement. Some Foreign Universities also require this letter in order to admit Nigerian students. This is one of the quickest consular services to obtain, as long as applicants can present other documents proving Nigerian Citizenship and Legal status in the host country.
The letter itself does not contain more than an introduction of the applicant as a Nigerian citizen and an affirmation that the applicant is fit to pursue the endeavour in question. Depending on the success of the NIN project, this consular service will be significantly diminished.
Popular Requirements
To obtain any of the consular letters, the following may be required
- Application Letter to the Head of Mission. (Should introduce the applicant and explain the request)
- Copy of Nigerian Passport Data Page.
- Two Passport Photographs (35/40mm).
- Copies of Current Visa Status /
- Residence Permit
- Evidence from the institution which requires the letter
- Appointment Booking with the Nigerian Mission.
- Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission.
Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC)
The Emergency Travel Certificate is a paper-based travel document issued to stranded Nigerians abroad who do not have the appropriate immigration status to travel back home. This consular service is applicable only to Nigerian citizens who lose their passports or, due to other unforeseen circumstances, have overstayed the validity of their passport/visa beyond redemption. This certificate helps them to return to Nigeria on a one-way journey after which the document must be surrendered to immigration authorities at the port of entry. Please note that the ETC service may be obsolete as Nigeria has launched the ICAO-compliant NTP as a replacement.
Basic Requirements
- Letter addressed to the Head of Mission (Introduce applicant, Explain why ETC is needed).
- Police Report if passport was lost/stolen
- Proof of Nigerian Citizenship (ePassport Copy or GMPCard showing legal identity)
- 2 Recent Passport Photographs (35/40mm color, no makeup, no head/face covering).
- Air Ticket/Travel Itinerary to Nigeria (Scheduled for date within 30 days).
- The sum of R350.00 payable to the Mission’s account.
Extra Requirements for Minors
Additional requirements for Non-adults (under 18 years old):
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- A consent letter from the legal guardian.
- For infants, a consent letter by the mother.
- Passport copy of the legal guardian.
DOCUMENTS AUTHENTICATION
Document Authentication is the process of verifying the authenticity of a document by checking its originality and ensuring it has not been altered or tampered with. This process helps to establish the document’s credibility and ensures its use in legal or official settings is trustworthy. Different Nigerian Missions abroad refer to this service in a variety of names: Legalization, Certification, Endorsement, Attestation, Notarization, etc depending on what type of document is being authenticated and what procedure is required in the host country to authenticate it. Be mindful of terminology. However, they all fall under this Document Authentication category of services rendered by the consular.
Note requirements services below:
AGE DECLARATION
Letter of Age Declaration for use in host country.
• Application Letter to the Head of Mission.
• Copy of Nigerian Passport Data Page.
• Two Passport Photographs (35/40mm).
• A Sworn affidavit of Age Declaration from a High Court in Nigeria.
(Legalized at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja)
• Receipt of Legalization Fee issued at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Appointment Booking with the Nigerian Mission.
• Any extra requirements will be given by the Nigerian Mission.
DRIVING LICENSE
Drivers’ License obtained in Nigeria for use in Foreign Country.
• Application Letter to the Mission.
• Copy of Nigerian Passport Data Page.
• The Original Nigeria Driver’s License.
• Copy of Valid Visa/Residence Permits.
• Appointment Booking with the Nigerian Mission.
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission.
EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATES
Authentication of Academic/Educational Certificates like WAEC, SSCE, NECO, JAMB, NABTEB Results or College/University Degrees.
• Application Letter to the Head of Mission.
• Copy of Nigerian Passport Data Page.
• Copy of Attested and Legalized Certificate:
o Attested at the Federal Ministry of Education.
o Legalized at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Pin and Serial Number from Scratch Card
• Photocopy of Current Visa Pages.
• Receipt of Legalization Fee issued at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Appointment Booking with the Nigerian Mission.
• Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission.
MARITAL STATUS
Authentication of Bachelorhood/Spinsterhood Certificate.
- Application Letter to the Head of Mission.
- Copy of Valid passport data pages of the applicant and fiancée.
- Two Passport Photographs (35/40mm).
- Affidavit of Bachelorhood/Spinsterhood from a Nigerian Court.
(Legalized at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja)
- Receipt of Legalization Fee issued at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- If divorced, Applicant should provide Divorce Decree/Certificate from court.
- Certificate/Letter of No Objection from State Authority in charge of Marriage Registration.
- Statement of Marital Status of the foreign spouse from host country JP or other relevant Authorities
(If not in English, an additional certified translation of the original document may be necessary).
- Letter of Consent from both parties, addressed to the Head of Mission.
- Physical Presence of Both Parties at the Consular Mission.
- Appointment Booking with the Nigerian Mission.
- Any extra requirements by the Nigerian Mission.