British Passport question?

[fizz876]

A freind of mine has a machine readable passport which expires in 2013. However he wants the new biometric passport with the chip.

Is it possible to get the new passport before the current one expires?

[rah1888]

fizz876 said:

A freind of mine has a machine readable passport which expires in 2013. However he wants the new biometric passport with the chip.

Is it possible to get the new passport before the current one expires?

I believe so, they'll be more than happy to take another cheque i should imagine.

Or he could just say he lost his old one.

[mechsympathy]

fizz876 said:

However he wants the new biometric passport with the chip.

Has he said why?

[fizz876]

mechsympathy said:

fizz876 said:

However he wants the new biometric passport with the chip.

Has he said why?

He is verging on OCD and is one of those pedantic people who always needs to be upto date even though its pointless....

[RedImps]

It would just be a straight renewal - the new passport would be valid for 10 years and 9 months - the maximum you can carry forward from an unexpired passport.

Alternatively, if his employer requires he can get a new passport as a second passport - the two generally accepted reasons are a need to visit Israel and Middle East Arab countries who do not recognise Israel or frequent travel that results in difficulties in applying for visas. Usually a letter from the employer suffices, however on occasion you are requested to attend an interview for the second passport.

[fizz876]

RedImps said:

It would just be a straight renewal - the new passport would be valid for 10 years and 9 months - the maximum you can carry forward from an unexpired passport.

Alternatively, if his employer requires he can get a new passport as a second passport - the two generally accepted reasons are a need to visit Israel and Middle East Arab countries who do not recognise Israel or frequent travel that results in difficulties in applying for visas. Usually a letter from the employer suffices, however on occasion you are requested to attend an interview for the second passport.

so is it possible to renew your passport 4 years early?

[RedImps]

fizz876 said:

so is it possible to renew your passport 4 years early?

Yes - I had to do my last passport 4 years early as it was full, other usual reasons would be name change, significant change in appearance or damage to the existing passport.

As someone said above, the Passport Agency will happily take your money if you just want to - there is no box to tick against reason for renewal.

[fizz876]

RedImps said:

fizz876 said:

so is it possible to renew your passport 4 years early?

Yes - I had to do my last passport 4 years early as it was full, other usual reasons would be name change, significant change in appearance or damage to the existing passport.

As someone said above, the Passport Agency will happily take your money if you just want to - there is no box to tick against reason for renewal.

many thanks...will pass the info on..

[tinman0]

mechsympathy said:

fizz876 said:

However he wants the new biometric passport with the chip.

Has he said why?

Does that little symbol on the front of the passport have anything to do with this? If so, its making a difference at US Immigration as not all the booths can take passports without that symbol, so you wait longer in effect.

[Munter]

tinman0 said:

mechsympathy said:

fizz876 said:

However he wants the new biometric passport with the chip.

Has he said why?

Does that little symbol on the front of the passport have anything to do with this? If so, its making a difference at US Immigration as not all the booths can take passports without that symbol, so you wait longer in effect.

I guess that depends on the airport. Chicago didn't have that last year.

[RedImps]

tinman0 said:

mechsympathy said:

fizz876 said:

However he wants the new biometric passport with the chip.

Has he said why?

Does that little symbol on the front of the passport have anything to do with this? If so, its making a difference at US Immigration as not all the booths can take passports without that symbol, so you wait longer in effect.

The little symbol does indeed indicate that the passport contains the biometric chip - I didn't see signs at any desks indicating biometric passports only at New York or Phillie when I went through last year.

[Exige77]

The new chip passport is old hat now.

If the OP's friend wants one because it is the new thing I think he has just missed the boat.

No problem to get a new passport before old one has expirerd as has been said.

You just need to hand over the dosh.

Ex77

[Nolar Dog]

Make sure your mate is aware of the new "rules" regarding passport photos too.
They have recently changed.