No 511
Monday, 17th March, 2014
OVERSEAS PASSPORT APPLICATION FEES SLASHED
Tel: 96 673 0057
In February of this year, we reported how changes to procedures for British residents living overseas to renew their passports must now be made via the GOV.UK website, by submitting the application online at www.gov.uk/overseaspassports, aimed at reducing the “possibility of making errors that can delay applications”. But, at the time, many people noted the extortionate cost in doing so, considering that the applications would be processed in the same place as those in the UK, with oversees residents paying way over the odds for the privilege. According to the U.K. Government´s website, within the U.K., a standard adult first passport or renewal costs £72.50, or £81.25 if you use the Post Office’s Passport Check & Send service. Whereas for oversees resi-
dents, who would be sending their application to the same office in the U.K., a standard adult first passport or renewal cost £128.00, or £147.86 including courier fee. The acceptance of an extra fee for the approved and registered courier service seemed fair and above board, but quite why the process faced an additional £55 excess was largely unexplained, with many applicants considering that it would work out far cheaper for them to fly back to the U.K. and complete the process manually. However, it appears that the U.K. Government has done a u-turn on the process, but for a change, one which will actually benefit those involved, as the Immigration and Security Minister, James Brokenshire, issued a statement via their website, claiming how the fee will be reduced, as “Her Majesty’s Passport Office is committed to delivering better value for money for our customers”. Continued on Page 2