Change in way British passports are issued |26 June 2010

In a press release this week, the high commission said passport work will be relocated to a regional passport processing centre in Europe.

Applications will continue to be accepted until July 5, and the high commission will continue to issue travel documents for applicants who need to travel in an emergency.

Further details on applying for a passport after that date will be available shortly on the high commission’s website www.ukinseychelles.fco.gov.uk 

For more information, applicants can contact the high commission on 283666 or by email to bhcvictoria@fco.gov.uk
The reason for the change is that the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is reorganising the way it deals with passport applications as part of a plan to make the way British passports are issued more efficient and secure, as well as to keep down the cost of a new passport.

Until now, applicants for British passports in Seychelles applied for standard passports at the high commission in Victoria, although applications were forwarded to Dubai for issue.

An important part of the change is that all applications for passports will be now processed by regional passport processing centres, so applicants will need to allow some extra time for applications to be sent to and from these centres.

The FCO will still aim to issue at least 90% of all straightforward passport applications within 10 working days of receipt of the correct documents and fee, although this will exclude the time taken for delivery.

The FCO said the British passport is trusted as a secure document the world over.
“We want to keep it that way so that British travellers continue to enjoy the convenience and benefits of a travel document which is known to be difficult to forge or obtain fraudulently,” it said.

“Limiting the number of locations where we print passports reduces the risk of them falling into the wrong hands. The new processing centres will be staffed by teams specialised in passport examination, fraud detection and secure document technology.”