(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Starting april 7 british nationals will now have to pay only ?83 for a standard 32-page passport for adults and just ?53 for the equivalent for a child
Despite property and living costs currently on the rise in dubai british expatriates here can breath a sigh of relief as the british embassy announces a slash in fees for all uk citizens applying for a passport overseas.
Taking effect from april 7 british nationals will now have to pay only £83 for a standard 32-page passport for adults and just £53 for the equivalent for a child meaning savings of £45 and £28.50 respectively.
And for those looking for a jumbo 48-page passport a fee of £91 will be applicable for both children and adults a huge reduction compared to an earlier £154.50.
One resident happy to hear the news is 28-year-old deena gardner. living here for just over a year she was recently told by her landlord that her rent would be increasing in may so she says it’s nice to hear news of savings for a change.
“i think this is good news for us. any saving is a good saving in my eyes so every little helps. and to be honest i think that is a pretty considerable saving. i was expecting the saving to to be about £10 so £45 is great.”
And although she still has five years left on her current passport she says if she is ever unfortunate enough to lose it the £83 spend out for a new one wouldn’t be as hard a blow as the previous £128 price tag.
“no one ever wants to spend out to replace lost items but in the event i ever have to fork out this new reduction will be a big help to the bank balance.”
In a ministerial statement laid in the house of commons by immigration and security minister james brokenshire he said her majesty’s passport office is committed to delivering better value for money for customers with the upcoming reduction proving just how committed it is.
The reduction comes as a result of efficiency savings made over the last three years by bringing back the processing and issuing of overseas passports to the uk and brokenshire said it will continue to maintain the highest levels of security and customer service for british nationals living abroad.
Courier fees for shipping your passport and supporting documents back to you securely will remain as before at £19.86 and the application process will take at least four weeks from when your declaration form is received by her majesty’s passport office in the uk.
However british residents here are being urged to ensure that they complete the application process as instructed as it can take longer if the photographs sent are rejected or if the hm passport office need more information from you.
Back in 2012 a reduction in costs for uk citizens applying for passports within the uk was also laid down with costs cut by £5.
Kelly?khaleejtimes.com
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