The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and UK Passport Service (UKPS) have been working closely on the development of biometric passports. From April 2006 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will initiate a programme to rollout Biometric passport producing equipment to all overseas British passport issuing posts. Lagos should be ready to start producing Biometric passports from 03 April 2006. We will not be producing the current digital passports from this date. Passport applications/renewals received from March 13 will be issued with Biometric passports, unless emergency passports are needed.
Biometric Passports?
In brief:
1. What are biometrics?
Biometrics is an automated process that verifies an individual�s identity based on their physical characteristics. Examples of biometric technology include facial recognition, fingerprints and iris patterns.
2. What is the Biometric Passport?
The Biometric British Passport will have a new design with additional security features, including a chip with the holder�s facial biometric.
3. Why is the UK introducing biometrics in its passport?
The increasing threat of identity fraud necessitates the strengthening of security features in passports. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO � which sets international standards) nominated facial recognition as the primary biometric with iris and fingerprint as backup but not mandatory. The use of biometric information to link a person to a passport can help to counter identify fraud. In practice, biometric verification can be used at border controls and to verify the image on a passport renewal application against images held on record.
The use of biometric information to link a person to a passport serves a dual role:
� Helps to detect counterfeit or manipulated documents
� Confirms the identify of the individual
4. How will facial biometrics work?
Facial recognition will map various features on the face, for example, the distances between eyes, nose, mouth and ears. The measurements will be digitally coded and held on an electronic chip secured in the passport page. This can then be used for comparison and verification purposes. UKPS will be able to derive applicants� facial biometrics from their passport photos.
IMPORTANT!
The standard of photographs you attach to your application is critical. If your photographs do not meet the required standard you will be asked to provide photographs that do and your application will be returned.
5. Why are we introducing facial biometrics and not fingerprints/iris?
The facial biometric can be implemented with minimal change to the image capture (i.e. photo booths) and application process. The technology is eminently suitable for border control checking. It enables immigration officers to produce an image of the passport holder for checking the authenticity of the document against the person. The UKPS is still considering a secondary biometric in a later version of the passport.
6. How will the new passport be different?
Externally, the new Biometric Passport will appear very similar to the current one, although it will feature a logo indicating that there is a chip inside. Internally there will be many new security features including pages with intricate designs and new complex watermarks.
7. What information will be stored on the chip?
The chip will store the passport holder�s digital photo and signature. Other personal details printed on the passport bio-data page will also be stored on the chip. The chip will complement the security features currently inherent in the �machine readable zone� (two lines of data at the bottom of the data page) of the passport. The �machine readable zone� will be needed to ensure immigration desks can continue to use existing readers.
8. Is the Biometric Passport secure?
The new biometric passport will have many new security features including a chip. The new design will be harder to forge, the new security features will indicate whether the passport is genuine or has been tampered with and the facial biometrics on the chip will help link the passport holder to the document. The data on the chip (your photo and personal information as printed on page 31 of the passport) will be protected against skimming (and �eavesdropping�) by an advanced digital encryption technique. The chip will complement the security features currently inherent in the �machine readable zone� (found on the personal data page of the passport).
9. When do I need to apply for a new Biometric Passport?
Your current passport will remain valid until its expiry date. You do not need to exchange it for a biometric passport.
10. Do I need a Biometric Passport to enter the US?
The US Senate announced on 15 June 2005 a one-year extension (to 26 October 2006) to their requirement for biometric passports. This means that the digital passports that we currently issue (machine-readable, with a digital image) will continue to meet the criteria of the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) and most British Citizens will not require a US visa. Please visit www.usembassy.org.uk or www.fco.gov.uk for more detailed information about US visa and immigration rules.
11. Where should I apply for a Biometric Passport?
Applications will be processed by the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos. Application forms will remain the same and can be downloaded from our website www.ukinnigeria.com or from any of our Outposts in Nigeria.
12. How long will the application process take?
Our aim is to continue to process straightforward applications within ten working days once we have received the required documentation and the fee. But the production process will inevitably be slightly longer and delays may occur, especially at busier times of the year. We therefore strongly advise applicants to apply well in advance of any planned date of travel.
13. Will the biometric passport be more expensive?
Given the new security features Biometric passports will inevitably be more expensive than the current format passport:
A child’s passport will cost N14,200 (N10,800) and an adult passport N21,900 (N16,600) Current prices are in brackets.
Unfortunately 48-page Biometric passports will not be available until further notice.
If you require any further information please send an e-mail to: Liaison@bhcph.com