Just seen this:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/08/19/id_and_passport_service_revamps_online_applications/

That's interesting, thanks for posting it.

I have cut and pasted the relevant section from the IPS Business Plan for anyone that might be interested.

Priority 4: In early 2012, we will introduce a new online passport application channel which will dramatically improve the current electronic passport application service. As well as introducing the ability for customers to apply and pay for their passport online anywhere in the world, the new channel will allow them to check the status of their application. The online application channel will be of particular benefit to customers living overseas who, from 2012, will apply directly to IPS, rather than via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, for their passport.

Priority 7: Build the capability to deliver passports to British citizens overseas. From the 1st April 2011, IPS will take over responsibility from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for issuing passports to British citizens overseas. Between 2011 and 2013, IPS will gradually build the capacity to deliver services to overseas customers from the UK using our existing infrastructure. In the interim, the FCO will act as IPS’s overseas service provider to ensure continuity for the customer.

A major milestone will be delivered in summer 2011, when passport personalisation and printing will be repatriated back to the UK. This will be followed by the gradual transfer of all passport application processing to the UK in Financial Year 2012/13

I hope that once passports are produced in the UK an application from someone living overseas will cost the same as an in-country application, of course we will have to pay for secure delivery.

Edited August 20, 201114 yr by theoldgit

That could be handy for me in 2014.

Not sure how to pay for it as I won't have a UK bank account by then but I have 100% faith that they have that sorted by then.

Not sure how to pay for it as I won't have a UK bank account by then but I have 100% faith that they have that sorted by then.

Thai bank account maybe?

That's interesting, thanks for posting it.

I have cut and pasted the relevant section from the IPS Business Plan for anyone that might be interested.

Priority 4: In early 2012, we will introduce a new online passport application channel which will dramatically improve the current electronic passport application service. As well as introducing the ability for customers to apply and pay for their passport online anywhere in the world, the new channel will allow them to check the status of their application. The online application channel will be of particular benefit to customers living overseas who, from 2012, will apply directly to IPS, rather than via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, for their passport.

Priority 7: Build the capability to deliver passports to British citizens overseas. From the 1st April 2011, IPS will take over responsibility from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for issuing passports to British citizens overseas. Between 2011 and 2013, IPS will gradually build the capacity to deliver services to overseas customers from the UK using our existing infrastructure. In the interim, the FCO will act as IPS’s overseas service provider to ensure continuity for the customer.

A major milestone will be delivered in summer 2011, when passport personalisation and printing will be repatriated back to the UK. This will be followed by the gradual transfer of all passport application processing to the UK in Financial Year 2012/13

I hope that once passports are produced in the UK an application from someone living overseas will cost the same as an in-country application, of course we will have to pay for secure delivery.

In the UK secure courier delivery is included in the price.

In the UK secure courier delivery is included in the price.

You are of course correct and I imagine that secure delivery within the UK will remain in the price, however secure delivery outside of the UK will cost more and will no doubt depend on the location.

Glad I renewed mine this month 5 years too early.

No doubt this will be a complete buggers muddle and an excuse for a ferocious hike in prices. I can imagine trying to phone the UK to enquire about your disappearing passport application and just being given the run around recorded message services on a system that charges you for the privilege of listening to the nonsensical messages.