UK Home Office To Issue Biometric Travel Documents
11/03/2008
As of the 17th of March 11, 2008 the Biometric travel documents which are the new identity cards that have a digital chip with personal information will from now on be issued by the home office.
In the United Kingdom, British passports (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) are issued by the Identity and Passport Service. While in Channel Islands, British passports are issued by the Lieutenant -Governor. This will change as the now applicants will have to send their application to the Home Office, whether by post on in person.
The Biometric travel document or the biometric passport is an official "electronic identity document that uses biometrics to authenticate the citizenship of travellers. The Board of Immigration Agency (BIA) says the British biometric travel document has a new design and security features which include a biometric chip. According to the BIA the chip contains the applicants scanned photograph which is the biometric element of the document while the rest of the information will include the applicant's name, nationality, sex, place and date birth and signature on the chip.
Biometric Passports
Ever since the introduction of Biometric passports (US, Australia, Canada among the many) the question of security has always been a factor and also who will have access to them. The biometric travel document includes the owner's details on a tamper proof biometric chip. All United Kingdom immigration ports and European Union (EU) member states have the capability to read the data on the bio-chip.
These hi-tech documents were introduced in 2006 and are part of the UK's ongoing security features in a bid to combat fraud and fake passports. The UK is one of 40 countries who have adopted the new technology.
Countries that are also under the US visa waiver scheme must comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and begin issuing biometric passports, incorporating a facial image.
Who applies for the new passport?
1. You should have more than 6 months outstanding leave to enter/remain before applying for a travel document.
2. You must be lawfully resident in the UK in one of the following groups
Limited leave to enter/ remain
How much will it cost?
The fees are not subject to change at the moment with the however they will be subject to yearly review as with the current travel document.
Global Visas is one of the largest immigration and visa agencies in the UK. Take the free assessment online today and one of our consultants will be in touch.
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