Travel
Passport Website is Three Years Away
Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson was quizzed on the issue by Douglas South MHK Claire Christian.
It will likely be March 2027 before islanders can apply for a passport online.
Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson was quizzed on the issue by Douglas South MHK Claire Christian.
Dr Allinson said the implementation of this system is dependent on the UK’s Passport Office development programme.
The delivery of a new digital passport application system was included in the Cabinet Office 2023 department plan and work is ongoing within Treasury following the Passport, Immigration and Nationality Service’s transfer to Treasury earlier this year.
Dr Allinson said: ‘The Customs and Immigration Division are working with Business Change Services and HMPO. The current estimated delivery for the introduction of an online system for the application of an Isle of Man Variant British Passport is March 2027.
‘At this time it is not possible to calculate what, if any cost savings there may be through the digitalisation programme but it is hoped that this will provide a more responsive and efficient system for our community.’
In the UK, applications are currently priced at £82.50 to renew or replace a standard passport if people apply online or £93 if they fill in a paper form. A frequent traveller passport costs £93.50 and £104 respectively.
This will rise later this week to £88.50 for an online application and £100 for a postal application.
Passports on the island cost £100 for everyone aged 16 and older, other than those born before September 1929.
