Here’s what you need to know about the updated passports
UK passports will have a new look from this month. A revamped design of the travel document was issued from December 1.
These passports will bear His Majesty King Charles III’s coat of arms and the the four nations of the UK will be represented through images of UNESCO-protected natural landscapes. The landscapes that will be used on the new passport designs are Ben Nevis, the Lake District, Three Cliffs Bay, and the Giant’s Causeway.
In addition to looking different to previous passports, the latest releases will incorporate the latest anti-forgery technology, to reportedly make it the most secure British passport ever produced. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, they will incorporate the cutting-edge holographic and translucent features.
The Government claims this will make passports easier to verify and even harder to forge or tamper with. Officials also say this helps prevent illegal entry by people with no right to be in the UK, as part of the Government’s “Plan for Change” to secure Britain’s borders.
The Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, said earlier this year: “The introduction of His Majesty’s Arms, iconic landscapes, and enhanced security features marks a new era in the history of the British passport.
“It also demonstrates our commitment to outstanding public service – celebrating British heritage while ensuring our passports remain among the most secure and trusted in the world for years to come.”
It’s worth noting that passports bearing Queen Elizabeth II’s coat of arms remain valid until their expiry date.
Blue and burgundy passports
British passports have seen numerous changes through the years, including alterations to the cover colour and enhanced security features.
Important security elements include a secondary photograph of the holder and a transparent overlay featuring multiple holograms. The first burgundy machine-readable passports were introduced in 1988, and more than three decades later, in 2020, the iconic blue cover made a comeback after the UK’s departure from the EU.
Blue passports began being issued and delivered in March 2020. A gradual rollout took place, and from mid-2020 onwards, all passports produced in the UK are now blue.
Nevertheless, numerous people still possess a burgundy passport. Guidance on GOV.UK states: “If your passport is burgundy or has ‘European Union’ on the cover, you can still use it as long as it’s valid for travel.”
You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if it has either expired or doesn’t have sufficient validity remaining. Should your passport be lost or stolen, you must cancel it before requesting a replacement.
Burgundy passports can still be used in 2025 provided they remain valid for travel, so you’ll need to verify the expiry date and check the requirements regarding how much validity should remain on your passport for your intended destination. When your passport is due for renewal, you’ll receive a blue one.
However, there’s no need to renew unless your current passport has expired or doesn’t have sufficient validity left for travel. A new passport costs £94.50 and typically arrives within three weeks of the HM Passport Office receiving your documents.
To renew or replace your passport, visit the Government website here.
