grahamb Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I guess this is more of a Travel issue than a Visas and Migration issue. Mods: if I'm wrong, please move the post. I hadn't seen this information on here or any other forums I frequent so here it is FYI. The British Embassy are now issuing biometric passports (containing the photo information on a chip.) According to the sign in the Consular section, they've been doing this since May 06. A few things to note: Currently they can only issue 32 page passports. Jumbo (48 page) passports should be available 'next year' but the guy could not say exactly when It now takes 10 working days to get a passport. When I got one for our son last year it was about 5 working days so I assume the chip takes longer The photo requirements are stricter - your face has to meet the size requirements listed on the UK passport website(PDF file). I got a regular passport photo from the Fuji place near my office but my face was too small so I had to go to a photo place across the road from the British Embassy (who knew exactly what size I needed and is probably doing quite nicely out of this requirement...) 32 page passports are B6825. I can't remember how much it was last year and as it was a child's passport it may have been cheaper anyway. I assume that this price is more expensive than the old non-biometric passport The biometric part is only your photo so they don't take fingerprints, iris scans, etc. (yet) The application process was pretty painless and fortunately I'll get the passport before I need to travel but it is longer than I'm used to so I'm posting it here to stop anyone else getting caught out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 Cheers Graham, there was a thread back in may when they first started issuing the new passports, can't do any harm to remind everyone though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaiflyer1 Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 And who's paying for it , you've guessed it . "British passports fees to rise by 29% from October" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/5210042.stm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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