Mar 03 - New Arrangements For Issuing Gibraltar-Variant Passports

Written by YGTV Team on 03 March 2015.

Following a decision in 2010 by Her Majesty’s Passport Office in UK, the Gibraltar passport service will move to centralisation of passport personalisation in mainland UK. According to HM Passport Office, this change is aimed at increasing security and creating new efficiencies and will ensure that applicants will receive a new generation British passport with improved security features. This change is about to be implemented.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 4 March, passport counters at the Civil Status and Registration Office will be closed to the general public and will only accept applications for passports in medical emergencies up to 12 noon. This will enable staff to conduct essential works to ensure a smooth transition to the centralisation of passport production in UK.

From the above date, Gibraltar-variant British passports will be printed in the UK, but Gibraltar will:

· Maintain its status as an issuing authority independent of HM Passport Office

· Continue to accept and process passport applications and maintain the 10 day turnaround time as usual

· Issue locally printed passports in emergencies to persons who reside or work in Gibraltar

· Maintain the fees at their current level

Current Gibraltar-variant British passports will continue to be valid until their expiry date. Normal counter service will be resumed on Thursday 5 March 2015.