Q: Why is the British High Commission in Kingston not issuing full passports anymore?

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office Passport Network Rationalisation project was tasked to deliver a more streamlined, efficient and sustainable overseas passport operation.  

The overseas passport operation is self-funding and has been operating at a loss for over five years.  With increasing demand for document security (requiring the introduction of more sophisticated and expensive issuing systems), we have to find a way to balance our books.  

In order to cut our running costs and avoid a significant rise in passport fees, we need to reduce the number of locations where we process applications and print passport books. The National Audit Office recommended this course of action in 2006, with the added benefit of reducing opportunities for fraud by having fewer blank passports in circulation.  

The UK is alone among major partners in continuing to print passports abroad. Most countries repatriate all printing and personalisation to a central domestic production facility. Customers typically have to wait 4 to 6 weeks for a passport.  

Q: Why do customers in Jamaica have to send passport applications via the British High Commission?

Jamaica is categorised as a country with a high risk for passport and identity fraud. To ensure the integrity of British passports, documents will therefore be routed via the British High Commission for checking, dispatch and return.  When passports are being returned to customers they will have to be signed for.  If you are sending a representative to collect your passport you will have to write a letter of authority for that person to collect it on your behalf.  They are also required to bring a valid photo ID to prove their identity.

Q:  What services will the Consulate continue to provide for British nationals living and travelling in Jamaica and the Bahamas?

The Consular Team will continue to provide assistance to British residents and visitors who need our help. We have a professional consular team here in Kingston, supported by our Honorary Consul in Bahamas, and the changes to the passport service should free up more time to allow them to meet the growing demand for assistance and to respond effectively in a crisis situation.

The Consular Team in Kingston will also continue to issue limited validity Emergency Travel Documents when appropriate.  

Q: How much will it cost to get my application done in the Passport Production Service Centre?

For residents in the Bahamas the cost of the passport will be same, however, you will send your application directly to the Production Service Centre, with appropriate passport fee including return courier fee.  Fee details at http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/passports/.

For residents in Jamaica you are required to pay J$ 2,500 courier fee for your passport to be sent to the Passport Production Centre from the British High Commission.  You will pay any passport fees and return courier fees in the form of US Dollar money order, cashier or certified bankers cheque made payable to:
BRITISH EMBASSY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT

Fee details at http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/passports/.

Q: What will the process be?

Customers in the Bahamas need to submit their applications direct to the UK Passport Service Centre for the Americas and Caribbean in Washington D.C. Once the passport is ready, the production centre will return the passport direct to the customer via courier service.

Customers in Jamaica need to submit their applications to the British High Commission.  We will forward it on the day received to the UK Passport Service Centre.  Once the passport is ready, it will be sent back to the British High Commission and you can collect it or nominate a person to collect it on your behalf (as long as they have a letter of authorising them to collect it on your behalf and a valid photo ID).

Q:  This means I will have to wait longer for my new passport?

All our new production centres aim to issue all passports in line with our Consular Business Target commitment to process 90% of passports to customers within ten working days, from the receipt of the correct supporting documents and fee.

Using a courier service may add up to 3 working days onto the production time.  But our aim is to provide a more secure and efficient service as a well as a timely one. We will draw upon the good practice and experience of other posts, which have already seen their operations rationalised, to ensure the transition to these new arrangements goes smoothly.

Q: Who will monitor this and ensure this does run smoothly?

The change in operations will be carefully monitored by staff in Jamaica and the Passport Production Service Centre. The key objective is to ensure that service levels remain as high for our customers as they have been until now.

Q: Have you transferred passport production elsewhere in the world?

Yes, other mergers have been successfully completed in Europe, North America and Southern Africa.  Although we realise circumstances are different in Jamaica and the Bahamas we are confident we can also successfully streamline and improve the operation here too.

Q: How will you guarantee protection for my personal documents and completed passport?

By using only the most reliable local and internationally recognised courier companies, who also provide a tracking service.

In the meantime you must:

• Keep your passport safe.
• Check its validity. (Passports can be renewed up to 9 months before they expire. The extra time will be added on to the new passport’s validity.)
• If you do not have a full validity passport, you will need to allow extra time to obtain one.
• If you are a frequent traveller, to countries requiring a visa, please enquire at the British High Commission about purchasing a second passport.*

*These are issued at the discretion of the UK Passport Service Centre for the Americas and Caribbean in Washington D.C. Applicants must demonstrate that: a) they are entitled to a British passport and b) there is a genuine need to hold a second passport.