Many of us have grown used to the burgundy passports which were first introduced back in 1988, and indeed for Britons under the age of 32 they have been the only colour ever available.

 

That is all about to change now that the UK has left the European Union, and the first of this new blue batch will be issued and delivered early next Month, reinstating the classic look which was originally rolled out in 1921.

 

Home Secretary Priti Patel has spoken of how happy the reversion to the blue passport has made her:

 

“Leaving the European Union gave us a unique opportunity to restore our national identity and forge a new path in the world.

 

By returning to the iconic blue and gold design, the British passport will once again be entwined with our national identity and I cannot wait to travel on one.”

 

Any other changes beside the colour?

 

As well as the colour change, the new passport is also better for the environment in terms of its production, with the carbon footprint produced through manufacture being reduced to net zero, through projects such as planting trees.

 

The passport will also have double the artwork as the back cover will also carry its own symbolic design – the floral emblems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. This is a first for a British passport.

 

The latest technology

 

The new passport will possess a whole host of superior security features including a hard-wearing, super-strength polycarbonate data page, which contains innovative technologies embedded into the document, to keep personal data secure.

 

It also includes the latest and most secure printing and design techniques, which means it offers better protection against identity theft and fraud and will be extremely difficult to forge successfully.

 

Standard passports will continue to contain 34 pages. Frequent traveller ‘Jumbo’ passports will now contain 54 pages.

 

Can I still use my burgundy passport?

 

Those with valid, burgundy passports can continue to use their passport for travel until it expires.

 

However, everyone must now take into consideration the new EU rules surrounding UK passports. Countries in the EU will treat a UK passport that has been valid for 10 years or more as expired, from January 2021. Always check how long you have had your passport before travelling.

 

Similarly, if a passport has less than 6 months left until it expires, many EU countries will not allow entrance.

 

Contact us!

 

If you have questions about this or any other type of legal enquiry, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 7928 0276 or email into info@lisaslaw.co.uk.

 

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