The US has warned American citizens in Nigeria that using the online passport renewal system from abroad automatically cancels their current passport, urging them to use embassy or consular services instead.
Americans in Nigeria, take note: that quick online passport renewal could leave you stranded without a valid travel document. The US government has issued a fresh warning to citizens residing abroad, including in Nigeria, against using the domestic online passport renewal platform — a mistake that’s already tripped up several unsuspecting applicants.
The warning follows reports of US citizens abroad submitting online renewal applications without realising their existing passports would be cancelled immediately, leaving them without valid travel documents while waiting for replacements to arrive.
According to guidance from US diplomatic missions, as reported by Guardian Nigeria, anyone physically outside the United States is simply not eligible to use the online system. Once submitted, the current passport is automatically voided — even if it hasn’t technically expired yet. The embassy put it bluntly, warning that applying online from outside the US “results in the automatic cancellation of your current passport.”
Americans in Nigeria still have options, though. The US Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos continue offering renewals and first-time applications, but only through scheduled appointments — officials are urging citizens to stick to the proper overseas renewal process rather than risk the online shortcut.
The advisory lands as Nigeria remains under a Level 3 US travel advisory, with Washington urging Americans to reconsider travel over concerns about crime, terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest.
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