Why UK passports will be getting another redesign just five years after going back to blue covers
British passports are set to go under another redesign just five years after they went back to the blue covers.
Well, some of us Brits might not have even ended up with those navy passports just yet, and travelling around while we cling on our burgundy ones from the days when we were part of the EU.
But already the UK passport is getting a refresh, with one key change.
The revamped UK passports are said to be ready to go with the Home Office set to begin issuing them from next month.
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Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp has billed it 'a new era in the history of the British passport', but only the eagle-eyed amongst you will be able to spot the main actual difference between the 2020 and 2025 passports.
Have a look below:
What has actually changed in the new UK passport design?
Basically, redesigns like this happen to British passports every five years. And usually, each update will include both a change to the actual appearance of the passport as well as a bit of an upgrade to the security features.
So, one big change is that the cover will feature King Charles’ coat of arms – replacing the design tied to his late mum, Queen Elizabeth II.
It’ll be pretty subtle for most people though, with the lion and unicorn appearing smaller next to the main crest and the crown having a rounder top.
It’s the changes inside the passports that will be more noticeable. The pages will now feature watermark images of well-known British landscapes such as Ben Nevis, Lake Windermere, the Giant's Causeway and Three Cliffs Bay.
While it’s staying in that dark blue shade, it does mean that those last burgundy passports knocking about will phase out from use by the end of the decade.
‘The most secure British passport ever’
As it has done before, the Home Office has claimed that this new passport will be the most secure of its kind.
It’s said to incorporate the ‘latest anti-forgery technology’ with more use of holographic and translucent images on the photo page.
Fancy features like this mean that when border officials hold your passport at a certain angle, certain shapes and images will be created. Therefore, it’ll be easier to tell if a document has been tampered with or is fake.
Plus, just like the 2020 design, the photo page is made from an ultra-thin polycarbonate in a bid to make it more resistant to wear and tear.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp said: “The introduction of His Majesty’s Arms, iconic landscapes, and enhanced security features marks a new era in the history of the British passport.
“It also demonstrates our commitment to outstanding public service – celebrating British heritage while ensuring our passports remain among the most secure and trusted in the world for years to come.”
Jess Battison