• UK
  • 13:25 04 Jul 2009
  • |    Washington, DC
  • 08:25 04 Jul 2009

Passports

You have to hold a valid passport to enter or leave the UK. You may also need a visa to travel to other countries.

If you are travelling to another country from the UK, your passport may need to be valid for your whole trip. You should renew your passport before you travel if it is due to expire while you are away.

You may also have to attend an interview as part of the process of applying for a passport.

All new, full UK passports use facial biometrics. Your passport photographs will have to meet a required standard set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

'How to apply for a UK passport' sets out the passport application process and what you need to do. 'Applying for a UK passport' explains specifically what you must do to apply for a UK passport in the country you are in. You need to read both pages to have all the information that you need to apply for your passport.

Please note:  it is currently taking 6 weeks to process a passport application through the North America passport production centre.



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Important news: Passport applications are currently taking 6 weeks to process.

The North America Passport Production Centre is currently experiencing severe technical problems, which have resulted in a backlog of passport applications.  It will now take 6 weeks to process your passport application.  We are working hard to clear applications as quickly as possible.

All passport enquires are handled by our Passport Information Helpline (Careline). Please allow a minimum of 20 working days before calling Careline for status queries regarding passport applications.

See Also

Passport fees

Passport forms

Passport documents

Passport FAQs

Help for British Nationals Applying for a visa?

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