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Press Release From Independent Source

Overseas Territories passports to be printed in the UK from July 15

Beginning July 15, 2015 the process for obtaining British Overseas Territories Passports will be centralised and the printing of passports will be done in the United Kingdom. Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Virgin Islanders will soon see a change in the process for obtaining British Overseas Territories Citizen passports which are issued locally.

Beginning July 15, the process will be centralised and the printing of passports will be done in the United Kingdom.

Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) located in the United Kingdom is responsible for the legal, policy and operational aspects of British Overseas Passport Services which includes British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC) passports.

The office recently introduced new passports styles containing more sophisticated security features which are required to meet international quality and security standards.  

New designs and new processes were also introduced to reduce the likelihood of identity theft and passport fraud. It is expected that the new passports would better protect citizens and international borders.

Registrar-General with the Civil Registry and Passport Office, Mrs. Stephanie Benn said the passports will be printed in the United Kingdom as it is not affordable to have them printed overseas. She added that transferring blank passports around the world also presents a greater security risk. 

Mrs. Benn said, “As a British Overseas Territories Citizen, you will still have the ability to apply, pay and collect your passport in the Virgin Islands, whether it is a renewal or a first time passport.  However, from July 15 the printing of the passport will take place in the United Kingdom.”

The Registrar-General added that persons applying for renewals will need to allow up to four week waiting period for the passport to be sent and returned from the UK.  First time applications or a lost or stolen replacement, will take a longer period which is in keeping with the service already in place for all British passport holders residing abroad.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Honourable David Cameron, announced in March 2011 that the responsibility for producing passports for all British nationals living and working abroad would pass from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to Her Majesty's Passport Office, then the Identity and Passport Service. 

The Virgin Islands along with other Overseas Territories will retain their status as a passport issuing authority and the Territory’s emblem will be shown on the front cover.

The Civil Registry and Passport Office will continue to set the fees which will include courier charges and the cost of the passport.  Customers will be notified by the Civil Registry & Passport Office once the passport has arrived and is ready for collection.

There will also be some changes in the issuance of local emergency travel documents.  The Civil Registry and Passport Office will retain the ability to issue emergency documents to non-British Overseas Territories citizens locally and will be able to issue a new eight page emergency passport for BOTC citizens only on compassionate grounds or for urgent government business.  However, all emergency documents do not guarantee entry to every country and visas may be necessary.

The Governor’s Office and the Civil Registry and Passport Office will continue to keep residents informed of further changes.

For additional information persons may visit the Civil Registry and Passport Office on the ground floor of the Central Administration Building or on the second floor of the Burhym Electric Building.  Persons may also contact the department by telephone at 284-468 3035/3038/3441.  

10 Responses to “Overseas Territories passports to be printed in the UK from July 15”

  • vex (28/04/2015, 11:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    How much would this cost us
  • Star (28/04/2015, 12:18) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Another downfall under this NDP government
  • keep blaming NDP (28/04/2015, 13:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why does everything have to be NDP did you read the Headlines "British Overseas" UK smh
  • chad (28/04/2015, 19:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Will any of the office workers here be laid off?
    • Ok Then! (29/04/2015, 14:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ wow.. the only thing they wont be able to do is print the passports; you really think there was someone assigned to specifically printing the passports and now their job is in jeopardy? I doubt it..
  • wize up (28/04/2015, 21:40) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    only now those white folks will get passports
  • Ok Then! (29/04/2015, 14:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what your saying is, that the white people can apply for the passports in the UK as well, as the printing is being done over there. Is that correct? I didn't read any such thing, but not a bad thing to find out, especially for BVI folks currently in the UK.

    Oh! and stop with the racism already! If they want a BVI passport, then so what! You mean to tell me only blacks are allowed to have a BVI passport?? Once them FROM HERE, I thought you bad minded people wouldn't care.. guess I was wrong..
  • Truth. (29/04/2015, 17:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everything is on the rise and run watch out..... only time will tell and soon no more passport to go anywhere. free from that and racism.
  • Steve (30/04/2015, 14:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is rubbish. I guess this means we'll have to wait 3 months to get it like we do with the UK Passport. Pure colonialism
  • trent (30/04/2015, 14:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We still on the plantation.


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