REVISED PASSPORT REGULATIONS FOR OVERSEAS APPLICANTS
Our thanks to RAFA Benalmadena for this information
On 29th September I attended a forum at the British Consulate in Malaga, held by Mel Smart, Communications Manager from the FCO in UK, and Andrew Hamilton, Head of Passports at the Embassy in Madrid. This forum dealt with the changes happening now, and about to happen over the next couple of years, in the way Overseas Passport renewals, and new Issues, are processed and how these changes will affect expats. There was a great deal of detail discussed covering what happens now, what is being changed this year, and what the plan is for the next couple of years. The whole plan was discussed in detail and we were all given the opportunity to comment and to put forward our concerns, and/or requested improvements. There will be a lot of publicity about the changes as they occur both on the FCO website and via this Branch, and it is hoped that the changover will be seamless. In advance of publication of the finite detail, I will summarise the changes for renewals in Spain as follows.(as best I remember it all)
The present 40+ Overseas Passport Issuing Offices will be reduced to just 7. One of these is in Madrid. This is happening now.
The style of Passport is changing over the next month or so to reduce the chance of fraud. A more secure design has been agreed and is being printed. The pages are being rearranged bringing personal details to the front.
Applications for renewal will still go though Madrid for the moment, but the next stage will be moving the printing of your passport to UK but still returned via there. You should see no difference in the service at this stage. This will happen over the next year.
The next stage will be to process all applications in UK at an office to be allocated the job. This is expected to happen over the next 2 years. Invitations to Tender are out with Couriers now for the secure return of the Passport to the Applicant. The target for the full process from application to return is 4 weeks.
When the reorganisation is complete, there will be one price for all UK applications and one price for all overseas applications. It is not expected that there will be any increase over what is currently charged, if anything it may reduce.
The forum covered the many areas of concern such as where to deliver the passport, what to do for identity whilst it is away for renewal, cross-reference to the old passport number in the new passport for such things as NIE or Padron, and the option for a FCO certified details page miniature to allow security of your complete item. Some of these are already covered, such as the number which can now be cross referenced. Delivery options will be considered as many ex-pats have "odd" addresses and the Consulate was spoken of as a possibility. The team took note of all our comments and said they will examine all options and ideas.
There will be a lot more information coming our way over the next months and I will publish everything I get. It is expected that in a year or so it will be possible to renew your passport and pay for it on-line. If you require to travel and your passport os away for renewal you can get a Travel Document from the Consulate to allow you to travel to your destination AND return to your home in Spain.
Details will also be available on the FCO and "Living in Spain" websites.
ps. IRIS scans and fingerprints are not now part of future plans.
Our thanks to RAFA Benalmadena for this information
On 29th September I attended a forum at the British Consulate in Malaga, held by Mel Smart, Communications Manager from the FCO in UK, and Andrew Hamilton, Head of Passports at the Embassy in Madrid. This forum dealt with the changes happening now, and about to happen over the next couple of years, in the way Overseas Passport renewals, and new Issues, are processed and how these changes will affect expats. There was a great deal of detail discussed covering what happens now, what is being changed this year, and what the plan is for the next couple of years. The whole plan was discussed in detail and we were all given the opportunity to comment and to put forward our concerns, and/or requested improvements. There will be a lot of publicity about the changes as they occur both on the FCO website and via this Branch, and it is hoped that the changover will be seamless. In advance of publication of the finite detail, I will summarise the changes for renewals in Spain as follows.(as best I remember it all)
The present 40+ Overseas Passport Issuing Offices will be reduced to just 7. One of these is in Madrid. This is happening now.
The style of Passport is changing over the next month or so to reduce the chance of fraud. A more secure design has been agreed and is being printed. The pages are being rearranged bringing personal details to the front.
Applications for renewal will still go though Madrid for the moment, but the next stage will be moving the printing of your passport to UK but still returned via there. You should see no difference in the service at this stage. This will happen over the next year.
The next stage will be to process all applications in UK at an office to be allocated the job. This is expected to happen over the next 2 years. Invitations to Tender are out with Couriers now for the secure return of the Passport to the Applicant. The target for the full process from application to return is 4 weeks.
When the reorganisation is complete, there will be one price for all UK applications and one price for all overseas applications. It is not expected that there will be any increase over what is currently charged, if anything it may reduce.
The forum covered the many areas of concern such as where to deliver the passport, what to do for identity whilst it is away for renewal, cross-reference to the old passport number in the new passport for such things as NIE or Padron, and the option for a FCO certified details page miniature to allow security of your complete item. Some of these are already covered, such as the number which can now be cross referenced. Delivery options will be considered as many ex-pats have "odd" addresses and the Consulate was spoken of as a possibility. The team took note of all our comments and said they will examine all options and ideas.
There will be a lot more information coming our way over the next months and I will publish everything I get. It is expected that in a year or so it will be possible to renew your passport and pay for it on-line. If you require to travel and your passport os away for renewal you can get a Travel Document from the Consulate to allow you to travel to your destination AND return to your home in Spain.
Details will also be available on the FCO and "Living in Spain" websites.
ps. IRIS scans and fingerprints are not now part of future plans.
A leaflet is available to explain the regulations, which can be read by clicking the button
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