Applications for passports on paper only for time being
ISLANDERS are going to have to continue to submit passport applications on paper forms for the foreseeable future, as the plan for a digital system faces more delays.
Funding for the scheme might now also be in doubt.
Application forms have to be collected from various locations. They cannot be downloaded due to formatting and colour coding requirements.
Plans for a digital application scheme were drawn up in 2020, and it had been hoped it would be released in the first quarter of 2022. But last year it was confirmed the completion date had been moved back to 2024 due to the pandemic.
The Guernsey Border Agency confirmed the project was still moving forward, but was now facing further problems.
‘We continue to work with our counterparts in the UK to look at options for implementing a digital passport application platform in the Bailiwick,’ a spokesman said.
‘The plan will be to use an extension of the UK’s system, and officers most recently met with UK teams to discuss this earlier this month. This project has suffered delays however, initially due to Covid, but more recently due to counterparts in the UK needing to focus on other pressing issues, and continuing to deal with the fallout of Brexit. While there is no set time-frame at the moment, the progression of this project will be subject to funding from the States.’
While passport applications are submitted in Guernsey, the documents are printed in the UK.
A quarter of the UK Passport Office’s 4,000 employees are on strike until 5 May. This is not expected to impact on application processing times for Bailiwick passports, but staff will monitor the situation in case there are unforeseen, knock-on disruptions.
‘The GBA continues to advise islanders that passports are taking between six and eight weeks at present,’ the spokesman said.
‘This will fluctuate throughout the summer months.’
. Passport application forms are available from a variety of locations, including post offices, Boots and Guernsey Airport, as well as the Guernsey Passport Office at the White Rock.
They are also available from the States Office in Alderney and the Greffe Office in Sark.
For more information visit gov.gg/passports
