Last Updated on December 10, 2024 by Michelle Krause
Old British passport vs. new British passport |
Many British citizens are currently concerned regarding the difference between the old and new British passports and whether they should apply for a new one immediately. Well, not to worry. We will explain everything regarding the new British passport.
Below we have outlined all you need to know about the new British passport.
Do I need to change my passport to a blue one in 2025?
Many changes were implemented when the United Kingdom left the European Union in early 2020. One of these amendments was passports. The new British passports do not contain the recognisable EU “chip” on the front page and are no longer maroon in colour.
The British passport’s new colour has generated a good deal of media criticism. Although it is officially blue, many people believe it is more closely related to black and not at all blue. However, regardless of how you look at it, the new blue passports are a stark reminder that things have changed and that the UK is now entirely independent of the EU!
While UK citizens could still freely travel, work and study in any EU country until the end of the Brexit transition period – which concluded in December 2020 – this has now ceased. Brits may now only spend up to 90 days of vacation in an EU country. British citizens must now also apply for a visa if they want to travel to an EU country for work or study.
The answer to whether or not you must apply for a new British passport is not simple and depends on a few factors. These are reasons you may or may not need to renew your passport:
Do you have less than 6 months of validity left on your current passport?
You should begin the passport renewal process as soon as possible if your passport’s validity is six months or less. If you are applying for a new UK passport from abroad, you should expect delays of around a week or two compared to applications submitted from within the United Kingdom.
If your passport is still valid but is older than 10 years
Until 2018, British citizens with remaining time on their old passports would be added to the new ones. This rule allowed up to a maximum of nine months of the time remaining to be added to the new one. If your passport was issued more than 10 years ago but is still valid for six months, you won’t be required to renew it for travel to most countries.
It’s essential to check the passport rules of the country you’re travelling to when it comes to validity. This is because some airlines may not let you board due to the country’s laws.
If I have less than two empty pages for stamps.
Even if your passport remains valid for many years, it might not be regarded as a valid travel document if there are just two blank pages or fewer available for stamps. In this case, apply for a new passport as soon as possible so that it is ready for when you need to travel next.
MyBritishPassport suggests you consider applying for a “Jumbo” passport if you travel frequently. Since these passports have more blank pages than standard passports, you will need to renew your passport less frequently.
My old British passport is still valid and has enough empty pages.
If your current UK passport is still valid and is not approaching the end of its validity, you can continue to use it as long as you have at least two blank passport pages for stamps.
Border officials are aware that many British citizens still travel with old-style British passports, which are still valid travel documents. You can use your maroon-coloured passport until you need to renew it.
Do I need to send my old UK passport when applying for a new one?
Unfortunately, you need to send your old UK passport when you apply for a new one.
This can be quite a concerning task, especially if you live outside the UK and have to send your passport in from abroad. No need for this to be a concern. MyBritishPassport is an independent British passport specialist who assists with renewals and initial applications for British passports made from abroad, guiding you through each step.
When working with us for your British passport renewal, we will arrange for the passport office to receive your old passport using a registered, reliable courier service. Once the passport office has processed your new passport, they will send the old one back to you.
