Banking•CBN

How Nigerians abroad can obtain a BVN through NRBVN

CBN and NIBSS provide a remote Non-Resident BVN route so eligible Nigerians abroad can complete BVN enrolment without travelling back to Nigeria for the biometric stage.

VerifiedChecked 2026-09-28
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CostAbout US$50 processing cost
TimelineNo fixed official timeline published by the agency
RouteOnline + physical visit
AgencyCBN
Checked2026-09-28
My Process

Turn this guide into your personal checklist.

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How to get this service

Online, physical or both?

Online + physical visit
Recommended start

Start online

Open the NRBVN platform linked by CBN and start the non-resident enrolment route instead of using an unofficial diaspora BVN agent. Then create the applicant profile with the Nigerian identity and contact information used for the remote verification process, then verify the account through the official platform.

Physical / assisted stage

A physical step is required

The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Complete the remote identity, due-diligence and biometric capture stages presented by NRBVN, checking that the captured personal information matches the applicant's Nigerian records.

Find official offices/centres →
If something blocks you

If this specific process gets stuck

Use CBN's official support/contact route and quote the reference generated by this application.

View agency guidance →

Only authorised routes. We never present an unofficial agent, cybercafé or third-party payment page as an alternative unless the responsible agency authorises it.

Documents, details and prerequisites you need

This is the complete pre-start checklist from the verified guide. Each item below explains what it is for, where it enters the process and whether the official source actually specifies an original, copy or upload.

3 Other requirements1 Document
01
Other requirement

A Nigerian applicant residing outside Nigeria

Why you need it
This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 2: Create the applicant profile with the Nigerian identity and contact information used for the remote verification process, then verify the account through the official platform.
Original, copy or upload?
The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
02
Other requirement

Internet access and a device suitable for the NRBVN remote identity and biometric process

Why you need it
This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 3: Complete the remote identity, due-diligence and biometric capture stages presented by NRBVN, checking that the captured personal information matches the applicant's Nigerian records.
Original, copy or upload?
This is used during the physical stage described in step 3.
03
Other requirement

Identity and KYC evidence for the remote verification process

Why you need it
This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 2: Create the applicant profile with the Nigerian identity and contact information used for the remote verification process, then verify the account through the official platform.
Original, copy or upload?
The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
04
Document

Ability to complete the platform's remote-processing charge where applicable

Why you need it
This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
Where it is used
Most directly connected to step 4: Review the remote-processing charge shown by the official platform and complete the payment only inside the authorised NRBVN flow.
Original, copy or upload?
The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow the process in order. Each step also shows what to have ready, what to check before continuing and what evidence to keep. Where the agency does not publish an extra requirement, this guide does not invent one.

01
Submit / register

Open the NRBVN platform linked by CBN and start the non-resident enrolment route instead of using an unofficial diaspora BVN agent.

Have ready for this step
  • Internet access and a device suitable for the NRBVN remote identity and biometric process
  • Ability to complete the platform's remote-processing charge where applicable
Check before moving on

Review names, numbers, dates, contact details and selections before final submission because corrections may require a separate official process.

Keep as evidence

Keep the application/reference number, acknowledgement or confirmation generated after submission.

02
Verify details

Create the applicant profile with the Nigerian identity and contact information used for the remote verification process, then verify the account through the official platform.

Have ready for this step
  • Identity and KYC evidence for the remote verification process
  • A Nigerian applicant residing outside Nigeria
  • Internet access and a device suitable for the NRBVN remote identity and biometric process
Check before moving on

Review names, numbers, dates, contact details and selections before final submission because corrections may require a separate official process.

Keep as evidence

Keep the application/reference number, acknowledgement or confirmation generated after submission.

03
Physical / assisted stage

Complete the remote identity, due-diligence and biometric capture stages presented by NRBVN, checking that the captured personal information matches the applicant's Nigerian records.

Have ready for this step
  • Internet access and a device suitable for the NRBVN remote identity and biometric process
  • A Nigerian applicant residing outside Nigeria
  • Identity and KYC evidence for the remote verification process
Check before moving on

Confirm the correct office/centre, date or appointment instruction before travelling, and take the originals where the guide or agency explicitly requires them.

Keep as evidence

Keep the appointment, acknowledgement or reference you may need at the physical stage.

04
Payment

Review the remote-processing charge shown by the official platform and complete the payment only inside the authorised NRBVN flow.

Have ready for this step
  • Ability to complete the platform's remote-processing charge where applicable
  • Internet access and a device suitable for the NRBVN remote identity and biometric process
  • Identity and KYC evidence for the remote verification process
Check before moving on

Confirm the service, applicant/entity details and amount on the official payment screen before paying. Do not continue from an unsolicited payment link.

Keep as evidence

Keep the official receipt, payment reference or transaction ID.

05
Follow up

Monitor the NRBVN application for completion and keep the generated BVN and transaction evidence securely; use the official CBN or NIBSS support route if the application stalls.

Have ready for this step
  • Internet access and a device suitable for the NRBVN remote identity and biometric process
  • Identity and KYC evidence for the remote verification process
Check before moving on

Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.

Keep as evidence

Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.

After you submit

What exactly happens next?

Keep the evidence for NRBVN for Nigerians abroad

Keep the application/reference number, payment receipt, acknowledgement or downloadable record produced by this service.

Complete the final published step

Monitor the NRBVN application for completion and keep the generated BVN and transaction evidence securely; use the official CBN or NIBSS support route if the application stalls.

Know what counts as completion

For this guide, the last published process step is: Monitor the NRBVN application for completion and keep the generated BVN and transaction evidence securely; use the official CBN or NIBSS support route if the application stalls.

Escalate with the right reference

Use CBN's official support channel with the application/reference details.

Important notes

  • CBN launched NRBVN with NIBSS on 13 May 2025 as a voluntary remote option for Nigerians abroad.
  • CBN has warned that the processing charge is specific to remote verification; ordinary BVN registration within Nigeria remains free.

Common questions

These answers are generated from the verified requirements, route, fee, timeline and official-source notes for this specific service.

What should I prepare before I start?

Prepare before you begin by gathering every item below. The detailed checklist above explains why each one is needed, where it is used, and whether the official source specifies an original, copy or upload.

  • A Nigerian applicant residing outside Nigeria — Other requirement
  • Internet access and a device suitable for the NRBVN remote identity and biometric process — Other requirement
  • Identity and KYC evidence for the remote verification process — Other requirement
  • Ability to complete the platform's remote-processing charge where applicable — Document
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?

Online + physical visit. Open the NRBVN platform linked by CBN and start the non-resident enrolment route instead of using an unofficial diaspora BVN agent. Then create the applicant profile with the Nigerian identity and contact information used for the remote verification process, then verify the account through the official platform.

The in-person or assisted stage stated in this guide is: Complete the remote identity, due-diligence and biometric capture stages presented by NRBVN, checking that the captured personal information matches the applicant's Nigerian records.

How much does this service cost?

About US$50 processing cost — CBN says the approximate US$50 amount is a remote biometric and due-diligence processing cost for NRBVN, not a fee for the BVN itself.

Pay only through the responsible agency or the official payment channel linked in this guide.

How long should it take?

The responsible agency does not currently publish a reliable fixed completion timeline in the official sources used for this guide.

Processing can still take longer where identity checks, document corrections, payment confirmation or manual review are required.

What happens after I submit or complete the main step?

Keep the evidence for NRBVN for Nigerians abroad: Keep the application/reference number, payment receipt, acknowledgement or downloadable record produced by this service.

Complete the final published step: Monitor the NRBVN application for completion and keep the generated BVN and transaction evidence securely; use the official CBN or NIBSS support route if the application stalls.

What should I do if the portal, payment or application gets stuck?

Use CBN's official support/contact route and quote the reference generated by this application.

Keep any application number, receipt, acknowledgement, transaction reference or screenshot that can help the agency trace the request.

What should I be careful about?
  • CBN launched NRBVN with NIBSS on 13 May 2025 as a voluntary remote option for Nigerians abroad.
  • CBN has warned that the processing charge is specific to remote verification; ordinary BVN registration within Nigeria remains free.
How do I verify that these instructions are current?

This guide was last checked on 2026-09-28. The official government or agency sources used to verify it are listed directly below this section.

Where an agency changes a fee, deadline or procedure, the official source takes priority over this independent guide.

Is MyNigeriaGuide the government website for this service?

No. MyNigeriaGuide is an independent information service. Applications, payments, approvals and final decisions remain with the responsible government agency.

Official sources

These are the government or agency pages used to verify this guide. Open them directly whenever you want to confirm the source.

Accuracy

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