Passport service extended

Passport holders aged 16 or over can now use the latest and most convenient way to renew the document online. The service, which takes an average of 10min to complete, has previously been available only to those over the age of 26. 

The move follows a Passport Office survey that found, with more than 300,000 16-25 year-olds a year renewing their passports, that 63% of people would prefer to use the online method. 

Officials said the expansion of the scheme meant they would all now be able to benefit from the service, which provides an easy, convenient and secure service to British nationals across the globe.

In another digital development, the Passport Office has introduced an option for applicants to upload photographs taken on their tablets or smartphones or at photo shops or booths.

When a photograph taken in this way is uploaded, a special code is generated and is then used to start the online application. 

Immigration minister Brandon Lewis said: “We are harnessing technology to transform our services – we want to ensure we have a modern and easy-to-use service for our millions of passport holders and applicants.”

www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport

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